This appears to have not gone through (Yet again). Let's try this one.

First off, I apologize for the length of time that passed between my last
post and this one. I was hoping to have it done by the weekend but had to
rewrite a large chunk of #19. I suppose getting engrossed in two mystery
novels didn't help either. Secondly the end is within sight. Only a few
more to go, then the masses can have Endymion all to themselves. Oh and for
those who are waiting patiently to see who Chibi-usa's father is, that'll
likely be in #22 or #23 depending upon how much I have to put before that.

Enoug of my talking, On with the fic!
-------------------------------------

                               Mama's Hand
                                    By
                               Douglas Helm

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

Part XIX - Mommy Lost

Usagi was sitting with Chibi-Usa after school in their room when someone
knocked at the door. Moving her gaze from her homework to the door,
Usagi said, "Come in."

When the door opened, Ikuko stepped into the room, her face looking grim
and determined. "Usagi, could you go downstairs please? I want to speak
with Chibi-Usa for a few minutes."

Usagi swiveled her gaze towards Chibi-Usa who was looking somewhat
guilty at this point. <Nani???> Usagi thought, <What's she done?!?> As
far as Usagi knew, her daughter had been very good lately and it was
unlike Chibi-Usa to cause any type of mischief. Getting up, she walked
over to her mother and said, "Mom, what's the matter?"

"Usagi, just go wait downstairs and I'll be down to explain it to you in
a little bit," Ikuko stated again. <Please Usagi?> Seeing the look on
her mother's face, Usagi nodded and slipped from the room. Closing the
door behind her daughter, Ikuko walked slowly over to the bed and sat
down. The silence that filled the room was uncomfortable as Chibi-Usa
watched her grandmother cautiously, a worried expression on her face.

"Chibi-Usa-chan, come here please," Ikuko instructed gently but there
was a firmness in her tone. Hesitating only slightly, Chibi-Usa got up
and went to stand in front of her obviously upset grandmother.
"Chibi-Usa-chan," Ikuko began, "Did you talk to Mamoru?"

"Hai," Chibi-Usa answered softly, lowering her head to look at the
floor. <Why does Obaa-san not like my daddy?> Chibi-Usa thought, <I love
Obaa-san and she loves me but she doesn't like my daddy.>

"And you know that it's naughty to talk to Mamoru?" Chibi-Usa slowly
nodded in response. Giving a nod of her own, Ikuko gently reached out
and drew the little girl closer. Lifting Chibi-Usa onto her knee, Ikuko
gave Chibi-Usa a small hug before saying, "Honey, I'm very glad you
didn't lie to me."

Raising her head, Chibi-Usa looked in wonder towards her grandmother.
"Daddy doesn't like me to fib," the little girl said softly. "Obaa-san,
please don't be mad at me. I'll be extra good!" she pleaded.

Ikuko gave a gentle sigh. <I love you so much, Chibi-Usa. I hope you can
forgive me sometime.> "Chibi-Usa-chan, Mamoru ISN'T your father. Kenji
is your daddy."

A slightly confused expression came onto Chibi-Usa's face. "But
Obaa-san..."

Ikuko cut her off, "No Chibi-Usa-chan, I'm your mommy. Usagi isn't your
mommy; she's your onee." This just seemed to confuse Chibi-Usa even
more. "Chibi-Usa-chan, do you remember your birthday? We said we were
adopting you?"

"Hai," Chibi-Usa answered tentatively. She was starting to get the
feeling that she wasn't going to like where this was going. On the other
hand, her grandmother wasn't scolding her for talking to her father.

"Well when we adopted you, then I became your mommy and Kenji became
your daddy. Usagi became your onee and you're her imouto."

Shaking her head, Chibi-Usa said, "No Obaa-san, Mommy is Mommy, you are
Sobo. Ojii-san is Sohu." She looked towards her grandmother, "Daddy is
Daddy."

"No Chibi-Usa," Ikuko said a little more sternly, "Mamoru is not your
father. Kenji is your father and I'm your mother. We both love you very
much."

"No," Chibi-Usa whined slightly, "I don't want Sohu to be Daddy. I know
he loves me but I want Daddy to love me!" <If Daddy isn't Daddy, then he
would be sad 'cause I'm not his mesume.>

"Chibi-Usa-chan, it was very naughty of you to talk to Mamoru. He isn't
your daddy," Ikuko said again, "If you talk to Mamoru again, I'll have
to punish you."

Chibi-Usa's face crumpled. She began to sniffle as tears started to
stream from her eyes. <I'm not bad. Why does Sobo want me to stay away
from my daddy?!? I love him so much and he loves me too!> Sniffling
again, she looked plaintively at her grandmother. "Please Obaa-san..."

"Usagi," Ikuko said in a warning tone, "I am NOT your sobo. I am your
mommy." Confusion mixed with Chibi-Usa's sadness and she sniffled a
little more. Hugging the little girl, Ikuko said, "I know you don't
really understand but you aren't allowed to go with Mamoru. You're not
supposed to talk to him either."

"I want Daddy to love me!" Chibi-Usa finally wailed, "Why don't you like
Daddy?!? Why are you being mean?!?" Her tears ran down her cheeks and
dripped off of her chin. Her pleading eyes were puffy from crying and
her bottom lip trembled.

"Kenji is your daddy now. We adopted you. Kenji's your daddy and I love
him very much. We both love you, Usagi," Ikuko said gently while hugging
the little girl. <Gomen nasai, Chibi-Usa, I didn't want to hurt you. We
weren't going to force this but Mamoru isn't good for you.>

"I'm good, Obaa-san!" Chibi-Usa insisted, "I want Daddy to love me! I
don't want Daddy to get mad at me for stayin' away!!!" She gave a
heart-wrenching sob as she saw her grandmother's stern face. <Why's Sobo
tryin' to get me in trouble?!? I was really good. I just wanted to make
Daddy happy and he said he loved me. How can Mommy be Onee?!?> She knew
one thing - she did not want her mother as her sister. She wanted her
mother AS her mother.

"You are a very good girl," Ikuko said, "But you were naughty for
talking to Mamoru. We've told you before that you're not allowed to talk
with him." Starting to rub the little girl's back, Ikuko continued to
speak, "Usagi, Mamoru isn't your daddy. Kenji is your daddy and he loves
you. I'm your mommy and I love you, too."

"NO!!!" Chibi-Usa yelled, "I don't want you as a mommy!" Getting off of
Ikuko's knee, she started to run for the door, "I don't want you as a
sobo! YOU'RE MEAN!!!"

Ikuko's arm shot out and caught Chibi-Usa by her arm. Pulling the
squirming little girl firmly back, Ikuko used both hands to turn the
child to face her. "Usagi, gomen. I know this is confusing but you have
to understand. I AM your mommy! I AM NOT your sobo. Usagi is your onee
and Kenji is your daddy. Shingo is your onii."

"NO!!!" Chibi-Usa sobbed out, her crying continuing, "I want Daddy to be
Daddy! I don't want Sohu to be Daddy! I want Daddy to love me!!!"

"Usagi," Ikuko said in a soft but firm voice, "If you speak with Mamoru
again, I'll have to punish you. I don't want to have to do that. You
aren't allowed to go ANYWHERE with Mamoru." The look of hatred that
Chibi-Usa sent Ikuko's way made Ikuko wince. <Gomen, I know this is hard
on you. It'll be hard on Usagi as well.>

Feeling small and alone, Chibi-Usa went limp and tried to curl up into a
small ball. She ignored her grandmother's soothing as she desperately
fought a losing battle. They were taking away HER family and she
couldn't do a thing about it.

                                  ******

"Are you sure you want to stay?" Shingo asked his sister, "I mean I
could watch Chibi-Usa instead." <I feel really guilty about telling Dad
that Mamoru and her were talking,> Shingo thought.

"No," Usagi said while giving her brother a small smile, "This is your
first `date' with Mika. I wouldn't want her to get a bad impression
about my otouto."

"Okay Usagi, your father and I will be back about eleven," Ikuko said,
"Shingo, you be polite when you're around Mika." Shingo blushed slightly
and gave his mother a look of suffering. She and Kenji were chaperoning
Shingo and Mika. <The only way to get him to agree about us coming was
we promised to sit in a section further back.> It would certainly be
interesting to see how she and Kenji would pass the time considering
that they would likely have no interest in the film.

"You're gonna rib me about this for awhile, aren't you?" Shingo
questioned.

"My little boy's going on his first date," Ikuko said sweetly.

"Mom," Shingo grumbled out while heading for the door, "I'm just taking
Mika to the movies. It IS NOT a date!" Usagi tried to stop the giggle
from occurring but it slipped out. Giving his sister a glare, Shingo and
his parents left the house.

Soon afterwards, Makoto arrived. "Oh I'm so glad you're here," Usagi
said while pulling Makoto into the house, "Chibi-Usa hasn't eaten a
thing and she won't talk to anybody."

Makoto could tell that Usagi was starting to become hysterical so she
placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Usagi-chan, just take a breath.
Let me get my shoes off and you can tell me all about it." After
removing her shoes and putting on a pair of guest slippers, Makoto and
Usagi moved into the living room.

Once both were seated, Usagi blurted out, "Chibi-Usa was talking to
Mamoru again today." Makoto frowned but she wasn't allowed to ask any
questions as Usagi continued to talk, "Mom had a talk with Chibi-Usa and
told her what adoption meant." She felt her throat tightening and her
eyes misting over, "I have to stop being a mommy to Chibi-Usa!" Usagi
nearly wailed before sniffling slightly. <I don't want to lose my
daughter.>

"But Usagi-chan, Chibi-Usa's eight years old. You can't really be her
mother," Makoto said.

"But I AM, Mako-chan. I am Chibi-Usa's mother... I think Ami said I was
her biological mother."

"NANI?!?" Makoto demanded, "How's that possible?!?"

Shifting uncomfortably, Usagi said, "Well Chibi-Usa's from the future.
She came back in time."

<Now why do I suddenly get the urge to sing that Deep Purple song?>
Makoto thought. "I don't get it. Are you saying that Chibi-Usa's like
some time traveler and she's your REAL daughter?!?" Usagi nodded. "So
what the hell happened to us?!" Makoto exploded.

"Nani?" Usagi asked losing her depressed expression and replacing it
with a confused one.

"If you're in the future, then we should be too and I'll be damned if
I'd let anybody hurt you or Chibi-Usa!" Makoto snarled while getting up
to pace, "I certainly don't see Rei letting anything happen either...
Actually I think I'd have to compete for the first crack at the guy who
touched you in the wrong way."

<Ugh... I guess I better not tell her about Mamoru,> Usagi thought.
"Well Luna thinks that you're... dead," Usagi whispered the last word
out, realizing just what it signified. <Makoto and the others won't be
around,> Usagi thought, a single tear rolling down her face, <I'll be
alone.>

<Dead?!?> Makoto questioned. "Dead?!?" she repeated it aloud, not really
believing it.

"Hai, Luna figures that something happened to you. Chibi-Usa's confirmed
that you aren't with me." She raised her head to look sadly at Makoto,
"I don't know what happened to you but I know the Senshi wouldn't allow
anyone to hurt me."

"You got that right," Makoto said while resuming her pacing, "Now
Mamoru's been acting weird but I guess you and he get back together in
the future and have Chibi-Usa."

Makoto didn't notice the green tinge that briefly flitted across Usagi's
features. <Not if I can help it,> Usagi thought, <There's no way I'm
gonna marry a monster like that.>

Hearing no firm commitment from her friend, Makoto turned, "Well, has
Ami confirmed that Mamoru IS the father?!?" <He must have died and a
stepfather's doing this. I mean Mamoru's acting strange but I don't
think he would do anything to Usagi.>

"Mako-chan," Usagi began, "I think you had better sit down." Makoto's
only response was to give her a quizzical look before sitting.
"Mako-chan, Ami did confirm that Mamoru is A father." Shuddering
slightly, Usagi said in a quieter tone, "Mamoru is the stepfather and
Chibi-Usa's abuser."

Turning her head to look, Usagi saw that Makoto was gripping the arms of
the chair, knuckles white, nostrils flared in rage. "Why that piece
of..."

"Mako-chan!" Usagi nearly yelled, "Don't even think about it."

"You can't seriously mean that?!?" Makoto demanded.

"I do," Usagi said softly again, her features drooping, "It's Endymion
who's the real monster. I've been trying to find a way of telling Mamoru
the whole truth. I've been trying to find a way so he can get help."
Sniffling, a few tears rolled down her cheeks. They were followed by a
few more and as Makoto came to sit by her friend, Usagi started to cry
in earnest.

"Oh Usagi-chan, maybe Mamoru can get some help. Maybe he can get some
type of counseling." Makoto wrapped and arm around Usagi and gave her
friend a hug, "You have to hope that Mamoru can get better. If you tell
him, then Endymion might not do what he does."

Sullenly Usagi shook her head, "No Mako-chan, in my heart I know that I
would never marry him. I loved Mamoru so much though." A little sob
escaped her, "I should love him, I still do. I just can't trust him and
no matter how much love I have for Mamoru still, I couldn't marry him
without trusting him."

There was silence for a few moments before Makoto said, "You'd be
looking for him to start hurting you, ne?" Usagi nodded. "I don't know
about all this, Usagi-chan, but I think Mamoru has a right to know."

Usagi shook her head vigorously, "No Makoto, that's the real danger.
Endymion would know he's been found out. Mamoru might react badly; I
can't tell him. Not yet."

"Who's the father then?" Usagi shrugged. "So you're really a mom,"
Makoto said her pride in Usagi showing through, "I knew you'd always
make a great mom."

Usagi started to cry again, although now it was not the soft gentle
tears of something that hurt and had been recognized as necessary.
Instead, they were emotion filled sobs that shook her frame and squeezed
her heart. "I can't be her mother!" Usagi wailed, "I can't! Never
again..." Makoto held her friend close.

"Usagi-chan, why can't you be her mother???" Makoto demanded gently.

"Because my parents are her parents now. My parents wouldn't understand
if I wanted to keep in a mother role. I have to be Chibi-Usa's onee! I
have to give up being Chibi-Usa's mommy and I don't want to. There's
something very special about her and I don't want to lose that. Once
it's gone, I don't think I'd ever get it back." Her eyes were now puffy,
red rimmed and moist for the shed tears.

Giving Usagi a hug, Makoto said, "Usagi-chan, I know this is difficult.
I'm sure that Chibi-Usa will still love you. When she gets older,
Chibi-Usa could be told everything. Now though, she needs you to be an
onee to keep her safe from Mamoru." Usagi sniffled again; hugging her
friend close again, Makoto thought, <Why didn't you tell us, Usagi? I
think the Senshi need to have a talk with Mamoru. You're our friend and
we wouldn't want you to be unhappy.>

Turning to her friend, Usagi managed to say, "Pro-promise me you won't
tell the others. I mean tell them about Mamoru and all."

"Why?" Makoto asked slightly confused.

Usagi took several breaths before saying, "Because... because I was
going to tell all of you when I had a chance to sort all this out. I'm
still confused about how I feel." Clasping her hands on her lap and
looking at the ground, Usagi whispered out, "I said before that I love
Mamoru still and that's true... It's just something's missing - trust -
I suppose but that isn't all of it." Makoto remained silent; she wasn't
sure what to think.

Later that evening, Usagi and Makoto stood outside the door to Usagi's
room. Makoto frowned slightly and looked towards Usagi curiously. "I
don't know what you want me to do," Makoto said, "I mean I don't have
any idea how I could get Chibi-Usa to listen to me."

Usagi was having a hard time fighting her emotions. She was desperately
trying to balance between satisfying Chibi-Usa's need by being a mother
and her parents' wishes that were forcing her into being a sister. "I
think what Chibi-Usa needs is someone that's not really involved. She
needs support and, right at the moment, everybody but Shingo is against
her... or looks that way." Looking pleadingly towards Makoto, Usagi
said, "Could you just spend some time with her... see if you can get her
eat any of this food." Usagi then inclined her head slightly to indicate
the tray of food she was carrying. <I'm so worried about her. I want to
be her mommy and she wants me to be her mommy! There's just no other way
to keep her from Mamoru. He isn't really her father either.>

"Okay Usagi-chan," Makoto said while taking the tray of food from her
friend, "Let me have a few minutes with her." Nodding, Usagi opened the
door for Makoto and then once Makoto was in the room, she closed it
again. Walking over to the low table, Makoto carefully placed the tray
down. <Oh you poor kid,> Makoto sadly thought as she padded over to the
bed and gently sat down.

Chibi-Usa was curled up on the bed, asleep. One thumb was firmly planted
in her mouth. The other arm wrapped tightly around her new teddy bear.
Reaching out, Makoto shook her gently while saying, "Chibi-Usa-chan,
come on. Wake up."

Her eyes fluttered opened and for a few minutes, the little girl sadly
looked towards Makoto before sniffling. "Onee-chan!" she cried. Letting
go of Ranma, she sat up and hugged Makoto tightly. Makoto in return
lifted the saddened child into a comforting hug. "Shhh... It'll be okay,
Sweetheart," Makoto said softly. She felt Chibi-Usa's small arms
encircle her neck. Blinking rapidly, Makoto tried to clear the moisture
from her eyes. "Are you hungry, Chibi-Usa-chan?" Makoto asked.

"Hai," Chibi-Usa said softly but kept her hold on Makoto. Getting up,
Makoto gently carried the little girl over to the table and sat down.
After settling Chibi-Usa comfortably in her lap, Makoto drew the tray
close.

"There you go," Makoto said, "Now you eat that all up." Giving Makoto
another hug, Chibi-Usa started to carefully eat the meal that had been
prepared for her. <Well,> Makoto thought as she watched the little girl
eat, <I don't need any other proof. You ARE definitely Usagi's
daughter.> There was not even one crumb left of the meal. "Kami-sama,
you were hungry."

"Hai," Chibi-Usa said. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to relax,
slumping slightly against Makoto's comforting frame. "Onee-chan,
Obaa-san says that she's Mommy and that Mommy is Onee."

"Hai, I heard about that," Makoto said, "Do you want your sobo to be
your mommy?"

"No," Chibi-Usa answered softly, "I want Mommy to be Mommy." Turning her
head to look at Makoto, she said softly, "Do you have a mommy,
Onee-chan?"

"I did," Makoto said while giving a sad smile.

"Did Obaa-san make your mommy go away?" Chibi-Usa asked. The serious
expression on her tear-streaked face was causing Makoto some problems.
The older girl had the urge to giggle but was fighting desperately not
to; she didn't want to make Chibi-Usa think she was being made fun of.

"No Chibi-Usa-chan," Makoto said as she stroked the little girl's hair,
"My Mommy died when I was little." A subconscious sniffle escaped her.
"I miss her a lot." Blinking again, Makoto saw the tentative question on
the child's lips so she answered it. "My Daddy died too when I was
young."

"So you don't have no Mommy or Daddy?" Chibi-Usa asked. <That would make
Onee-chan really sad.> At Makoto's nod, she turned more and gave Makoto
a strong hug. Hearing the door opening, both Chibi-Usa and Makoto turned
to see who was entering. Tentatively, Usagi stepped into the doorway.
"You're my mommy, ne Mommy?" Chibi-Usa asked Usagi.

"No Chibi-Usa-chan, I'm your onee," Usagi responded and winced
internally at Chibi-Usa's depressed look, "Come on, it's time for your
bath. You have to go to bed early because you talked to Mamoru today."

Chibi-Usa started to sniffle more when Makoto drew her attention. "What
if you go have your bath and then I'll read you a story?" Usagi was
about to protest this; Chibi-Usa wasn't supposed to get any bedtime
stories either but her heart took over from her common sense. "What do
you say, Usagi-chan?"

Usagi made a dramatic show of considering the answer. <How am I going to
keep this from Mom?> Her mother would be upset that Usagi was subverting
the punishment. <But I just can't stand to see Chibi-Usa so sad.> "Okay,
Imouto, Makoto can read you ONE story," Usagi said sternly towards
Chibi-Usa who seemed to cheer up a little bit. "Now do you want to take
your bath by yourself or do you want me to help you?"

<Maybe I can get Mommy to like Daddy again. Maybe she's just mad that he
kept spanking me. Daddy hasn't spanked me since I came here so I must be
really good,> Chibi-Usa thought. "Would you help me, Mommy?" Chibi-Usa
asked softly. <I know Mommy's still mad at me but I hope I can show her
how good I am.>

"Hai IMOUTO, I'll help. Now go into the bathroom and I'll be in there in
a minute or so," Usagi said. <You're lucky,> Usagi thought as Chibi-Usa
gave Makoto a hug and then left the room. "She's only to be told one
story, Makoto," Usagi warned, "My mom would get mad if she found out we
were reading Chibi-Usa any."

"I understand, Usagi-chan," Makoto said. <I'll try to help you,
Chibi-Usa, but if it comes between Mamoru and your safety, I'd sacrifice
Mamoru.>

                                  ******

Over the next little while, a rash of bizarre attacks occurred. None of
them were in the Juuban District and none lasted long enough for the
Senshi to get to them. One thing was clear, however. The man with the
red hair was very upset about something. Mercury's scan of the "rage"
scenes was ambiguous at best. There was one advantage she had over the
authorities though. The man had a similar power signature to those who
were conducting the attacks against the Senshi.

None of this helped Usagi though. As one day slipped to another one, she
could feel herself losing the special bond she had had with Chibi-Usa.
Mainly because she was forced to be an older sister and no matter how
much Chibi-Usa pleaded, Usagi wasn't willing to risk her daughter's
safety for either their happiness. Another factor in her bleak outlook
was Mamoru. He had stopped coming around Chibi-Usa's school and stopped
pressing Usagi constantly to marry him. However, this was worrying. In
the back of her mind, Usagi couldn't shake the feeling that he was
really planning something.

What Usagi didn't know, nor even Ikuko or Shingo, was that Kenji had
purposefully confronted Mamoru. The rather irate father had made it
perfectly clear that if Mamoru had kept on harassing his daughters, that
he would call the police. For a moment, Kenji then became scared as
Mamoru flew into a rage that lasted for several seconds before calming.
Although apologetic about his behavior, Mamoru didn't promise that he
would stay away; it was unlikely that Kenji would have believed him
either.

Two weeks after her talk with Chibi-Usa, Ikuko's last amount of sympathy
fled from her. She had been blacklisted by Chibi-Usa, given the silent
treatment, practically ignored. At first, Ikuko had tried to be
understanding, then patient. But her patience had slipped away from her
a week ago. The only thing that had been keeping her temper in check was
her true desire to have Chibi-Usa accept her as a mother. It would've
worked except that Chibi-Usa was ignoring her continually or shooting
her hostile looks when forced to answer.

The one she had sympathy for was Usagi. Ikuko could see that Usagi was
depressed by the turn of events. Her daughter had seemed to flourish in
the role of mother. Even praising Usagi for handling the new situation
wasn't helping. Ikuko wished she could remove the pain from Usagi's
heart but there was nothing she could do.

Now as she stood in the living room early one evening, Ikuko could feel
herself getting tired of the routine. "Chibi-Usa-chan, would you like
some ice cream?" Ikuko asked again. It would have been easier to let the
question slide and simply not give the child any. However, it was
galling somewhat to Ikuko to be ignored. There was no response
forthcoming. Giving a sigh of annoyance, Ikuko said, "Chibi-Usa, I asked
you a question."

Chibi-Usa turned and glared at Ikuko. She didn't see the loving person
standing in the living room. What she saw was a dark person who wanted
her to be in trouble with her father. Who was forcing her mother away.
As far as Chibi-Usa was concerned, Usagi was innocent. The little girl
could tell that Usagi was miserable and Ikuko was making her that way.

"Come with me, young lady," Ikuko said sternly before marching across
the room. Taking Chibi-Usa by the arm, Ikuko firmly but gently pulled
her off of the couch. Guiding the little girl out of the room, she made
her way towards the stairs. That's when Chibi-Usa started to struggle.

"Let go!" Chibi-Usa shouted, "I hate you! You want to take my mommy
away!"

Picking the child up, Ikuko carried her up the steps and into Usagi's
room. Shutting the door firmly, she sat Chibi-Usa on the bed. "Tsukino
Usagi," Ikuko said sternly, "That is it. This is the first and last
warning I will give you. I want you to start acting your age. You've
been very rude to me; you were so polite before. If I ask you a
question, I expect you to answer it."

Folding her arms, Chibi-Usa just glowered towards Ikuko for several
seconds. "You hate Daddy. You don't want Mommy to love me," Chibi-Usa
pouted, her eyes misting over, "You want Mommy to be Onee and not love
me!"

"No Usagi, that isn't true," Ikuko said, "I'm your mommy and I DO love
you. I want your onee to love you, too." Chibi-Usa made a noise of
disgust and turned her back on Ikuko. Bristling slightly for a moment,
Ikuko considered what to do. After a pause Ikuko said, "Usagi get ready
for bed." Chibi-Usa remained in position, silent. Gritting her teeth,
Ikuko went over to the dresser and, retrieving the little girl's pajamas
and a fresh set of underpants, proceeded to change Chibi-Usa.

This was a bit of a shock to Chibi-Usa and a struggle for Ikuko. If
Usagi had been the same age and behaved similarly, Ikuko would likely
have acted differently. But it was her desire to be a better parent than
Chibi-Usa's father that was really preventing Ikuko from acting. It took
ten minutes to change Chibi-Usa who struggled through it all.

"All right Chibi-Usa, it's time for bed. If you want to act like a
little kid, then you'll be treated like one." Sulking but realizing that
she couldn't get out of the situation, Chibi-Usa crawled into bed and
turned to face away from Ikuko. "I want to see you behaving better
tomorrow," Ikuko stated again and then left the room while turning the
light off.

<Baka grownup!> Chibi-Usa thought angrily, <I'll show her!> As she lay
there, a plan formed. Yes she would show up the person who was trying to
rip her family apart.



Part XX - Plans in Motion

Rubeus brooded. As he sat in his private quarters, his eyes were
smoldering coals of anger. His attempts to vent his frustration having
failed, Rubeus brooded and plotted. Two weeks ago, Esmeraudo had come
and was making Rubeus miserable.

<I dare not move against her though,> Rubeus thought darkly, absently
tracing a pattern on the crystalline tabletop. <She is Endymion's tart.
His power is protecting her, that is, until she fails.> Lifting his
hand, he rubbed his chin unconsciously as his thoughts continued to
wander down the deep and dark recesses of his mind. <I must not waste my
last two chances; care must be taken...> Rubeus furrowed his brow, <If
the Rabbit's guardians can't be beaten, then I will simply bypass them
and take the Rabbit.>

Yes, he liked that plan. But who to carry it out? On the one hand,
Rubeus was not willing to risk himself; on the other hand, he was not
willing to allow HIS future to rest in the hands of those bungling
sisters. A knock at his door drew him from further brooding. "Enter,"
Rubeus growled.

"Rubeus-sama," Cooan said after stepping into the room, "We think we've
come up with a plan of attack. Could we have you listen to it?" Her eyes
twinkled slightly as a child's would hoping to please with some great
idea.

Rubeus scowled slightly then said, "Hai."

                                  ******

Late that same evening, Chibi-Usa quietly slipped from the bed. Padding
over, she gently opened the door and looked about. The hallway was
darkened and silent. Giving one more cautious glance towards the
sleeping forms of her mother and Luna, Chibi-Usa carefully crept out and
gently closed the door. She froze slightly at the soft click it made but
nothing stirred.

Being careful how she stepped, Chibi-Usa made her way first down the
hall and then down the stairs. The downstairs was dimly lit with a
mixture of moonlight and streetlamp light. It caused shadows to appear
on the walls and ceiling. Quivering slightly, more out of fear of being
caught then the haunting shadows on the wall, Chibi-Usa went quickly but
softly to the phone. Lifting the phone, she was about to dial the number
when a sound from upstairs took her by surprise.

Fighting the urge to give a yelp, she froze. Her heart had sped up and
it seemed to echo in the silent downstairs. Someone was moving about.
Pressing close against the wall, Chibi-Usa covered the receiver that was
buzzing noisily with the dialtone. As one second slipped into another,
Chibi-Usa could feel the tension mounting but after a short pause, there
was the sound of a door opening and feet walking across the hall.
Another door opened then closed. Fearing some trick, Chibi-Usa stood
waiting but nothing happened and the only sound she heard was the rare
car passing and the phone buzzing for attention. Taking a few deep
breaths, Chibi-Usa spent a few moments figuring out how to get the
dialtone back before dialing the number on the piece of paper she had
found.

It rang once, then twice, then a third time. She was about to hang up
when a groggy sounding voice came. "Moshi moshi?" the distorted voice of
Mamoru said.

Pressing the headset closer to her face, Chibi-Usa asked softly,
"Daddy???"

There was a brief pause and then a clearer voice of Mamoru said,
"Chibi-Usa-chan? What's the matter, honey?" His tone indicated worry but
there was slight irritation.

Gulping slightly, Chibi-Usa said, "Gomen, I didn't mean to wake you
up..."

"That's okay, Chibi-Usa-chan," Mamoru interrupted soothingly, "Just tell
me why you're calling at this time of night? What's wrong?"

"Daddy," Chibi-Usa said softly, "Daddy, Sobo doesn't want me to have you
as a daddy." She sniffled a little, "I love you, Daddy, and I want Mommy
to be Mommy. Can I come live with you?" <If I go live with Daddy, then I
can show him how good I am and he won't get mad at Mommy.>

There was a long pause before Mamoru said, "I don't know, Sweetheart.
Your grandparents don't like me." Silently Mamoru thought, <And what did
she mean by saying she wants `Mommy as Mommy'?!?>

"Daddy," Chibi-Usa said softly again while looking around, "Mommy could
come with me, too." <Then we can be a family again.> Then she heard it
again; it was a soft noise. <What's that?!?> Chibi-Usa anxiously
thought. "Please Daddy? I miss you."

"I'll ask your mommy if it's okay. Now you go back to bed. It's way past
your bedtime," Mamoru said. <Past mine too!>

"'Kay Daddy, goodnight," Chibi-Usa said.

"Goodnight Chibi-Usa-chan, I love you." The soft giggle of delight that
came over the phone conveyed her happiness perfectly. <Now all I have to
do is to convince Usagi to get her parents to leave me alone,> Mamoru
thought darkly.

As Chibi-Usa replaced the phone, she softly retraced her step up the
stairs and then down the hall before quietly slipping back into the
room. Unnoticed by the child, Luna sat in the dark downstairs wondering
what the little girl had been up to and why she was talking to Mamoru.
Luna was also wondering what she was going to do, and if she should
mention it to Usagi.

                                  ******

The following morning was slightly overcast. The occasional shaft of
sunlight struggled through the thin layer of clouds. As Usagi walked
behind Chibi-Usa and Shingo to school she felt odd. It had been a
struggle to get Chibi-Usa up and Luna was starting to act strange as
well. 

The first thing that occurred to Usagi when she heard the screams was
that the Droid attack was rather inconvenient. Having just dropped
Chibi-Usa off at school, Usagi had gone about a block when the shouts
and rumbling started. Ducking into a nearby alleyway, she transformed
and leapt up to the roof. As she made the roof, Sailor Moon activated
her communicator and warned the other Senshi of the Droid attack.

<I hope it's not a Droid,> Sailor Moon thought as she made her way
swiftly towards Chibi-Usa's school, <Maybe the boiler exploded.>
Although still dangerous, it would be far better than a Droid. She was
about to jump to street level to continue on when a figure on the school
roof made her pull to a halt and look curiously in surprise.

"Tuxedo Kamen?!?" she questioned to no one in particular, "What's he
doing here so soon?!?" Giving a shrug, Sailor Moon hopped off the roof
of her own building at the same time that Tuxedo Kamen went on the
attack.

Tuxedo Kamen was feeling a mixture of emotions. On the one hand, he was
feeling a type of parental rage that something would threaten to harm
HIS child. He was also feeling elation; he had arrived ahead of the
Senshi and this would give him an opportunity to prove to Usagi how good
he was. After landing on the schoolgrounds, he turned to face the Droid
and Petz.

"Schools are for the betterment of youth and not for the corruption of
their innocence!" Flourishing his cane, he jabbed it towards Petz and
shouted, "On behalf of these victims! I WILL PUNISH YOU!" With that, his
cane stretched jabbing at Petz who easily dodged it.

<Damn, can't hurt this one.> "Gellax! Tie him up!" Petz shouted to her
Droid. <Where is Rubeus?!? He's watching from the shadows...>

Gellax was a humanoid woman; her skin was wax-like and brilliant red in
appearance. "Hai Petz-sama," Gellax confirmed before shooting four
tendrils of bright liquid wax, trying to entangle Tuxedo Kamen.

"Not today, fiend!" he shouted and, while jumping to the side, launched
a volley of roses which halted the attack. Grinning broadly at his
success, Tuxedo Kamen started attacking the Droid in earnest. <I will
show Usagi that I can beat this thing!>

Petz was unsure of what to do. <I can't attack him and Gellax is
defending herself properly.> Turning, she spotted a slight commotion in
the cowering children who were encased in Gellax's wax. <What's this?!?>
Floating over a little, Petz let out a gasp. "The Rabbit!!!" she
declared.

"Nani?!?" Chibi-Usa questioned drawing her eyes away from her father
fighting. Then she saw Petz diving down for her. "DADDY!!!!" Chibi-Usa
screamed.

Jerking his head away from the latest attack, his attention was suddenly
caught by Chibi-Usa's scream. Gellax was about to launch another attack
but her target sprang away snarling viciously. "Keep away from her!!!"
Raising his cane, he lengthened it before slamming it down. Petz
screamed as the cane made contract with her.

"You dare!!!" Petz snarled. The only thing keeping her from attacking
him was Rubeus' warnings of dire consequences. Making a grab for
Chibi-Usa, she was tackled sideways as Tuxedo Kamen collided with her.

"NANI?!?" Sailor Moon questioned, "How'd this happen all at once?!?"

Scrambling to his feet, Tuxedo Kamen leapt away from the fuming Petz and
placed himself in between Chibi-Usa and her attacker. "Honey," Tuxedo
Kamen said turning to Chibi-Usa, "There's your mother. Let's go over and
you can stay with her while I finish these guys off." Chibi-Usa nodded
but more to comply with her father than anything else. She was still
nervous about Sailor Moon and the other Senshi.

After breaking his daughter free, Tuxedo Kamen leapt towards Sailor
Moon's position. "Here!" Tuxedo Kamen said to Sailor Moon once he was
close to her, "Keep Chibi-Usa safe and stay back... I'll handle this!"

"You?!?" Sailor Moon questioned, "You've got to be kidding?!?" <He knows
perfectly well that I have to kill the Droid!>

"Just watch out for Chibi-Usa," Tuxedo Kamen responded before leaping
away to bully the Droid again.

Sailor Moon was stopped from making any type of protest as a snarling
Petz came after her. Grabbing Chibi-Usa, Sailor Moon started to run.
<Come on! What's taking you guys so long to get here?!?> Sailor Moon
questioned as she jogged around the schoolyard dodging Petz's attacks.

"SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!!!" Jupiter cried out. It was definitely music
to Sailor Moon's ears.

"NANI?!?" Petz demanded turning to the new voice. However, she turned
into Jupiter's attack and was flung backwards. "You'll pay for that!!!"
Petz snarled preparing to launch her own attack.

"I don't think so!" Mars shouted.

"BURNING MANDALA!"
"SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!"

The attacks combined and sped towards Petz but she winked out of sight.
Floating above the battle scene, Petz said, "Gellax! Kill the Senshi
except Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen!" With that, she was gone.

"Tuxedo Kamen, get out of the way!" Sailor Moon called.

"I told you I'd take care of it!" Tuxedo Kamen responded while he
mercilessly beat the Droid who was on the ground. "Just keep MY daughter
safe!"

"NANI?!?" Mars and Venus looked questioning towards Sailor Moon.

"What did you tell him?!?" Jupiter demanded angrily.

"Nothing!" Sailor Moon shot back.

"Mommy???" Chibi-Usa said, her voice trembling, "Make Daddy happy." The
image of Tuxedo Kamen beating on the Droid was too close to the truth
for her to really handle. She began to softly cry in fear and terror
while clinging to her mother's leg. That was why she wanted her family
back. She didn't want her father to be angry like he was showing her
now.

"Venus, pull him off that thing so I can kill it!" Sailor Moon ordered.
It was easier said than done, though, as once Venus' chain was around
him, it took the other Senshi including Venus to pull him away.

"MOON PRINCESS HALATION!" Sailor Moon called once Tuxedo Kamen was out
of the way. As the giant crescent moon shot out from her scepter and
collided with the Droid, it gave one final scream before turning into
dust.

Looking none-too-happy about being pulled away, Tuxedo Kamen whirled
towards Sailor Moon and snarled, "What do you think you were doing?!?"

"I think we need to talk, but not now," Sailor Moon said while trying to
comfort her daughter. Kneeling, she wiped Chibi-Usa's face and said,
"Honey, you go find Maia, okay? Your daddy and I have to have a talk."

Sniffling a little bit, Chibi-Usa looked towards her mother before
saying, "Mommy, are you gonna be okay?" <Daddy was really mad. I don't
want him to hurt Mommy.>

"Hai, now you be good," Sailor Moon reiterated before giving her
daughter a hug.

Chibi-Usa walked over to Tuxedo Kamen and hugged his leg. "You have a
good day at school," Tuxedo Kamen said, "You be a good girl now."
Chibi-Usa nodded. "I'll get your mommy to marry me and then we can be a
family," Tuxedo Kamen whispered to his daughter. Giving one more look
towards her mother, Chibi-Usa went off to find her friend amongst the
crying children.

"This isn't a good idea," Jupiter hissed out, "You said you weren't
going to tell him."

"Don't you have to go to school?" Mamoru questioned.

"What's going on here?!" Mars demanded.

"This is too important. I'll be late anyways," Sailor Moon said and
bounded off with the Senshi close behind her. Jupiter and Mars could be
heard protesting in violent whispers. Swirling his cape around him in
grand fashion, Tuxedo Kamen followed after giving his daughter one more
look and a smile.

End of Part XX