I apologize for the lengthy delay. It's been a hectate and strange couple
of weeks. The final part of this fic *should* be posted sometime next week.
Some parts of this might seem a little repetative but sometime in the
healing process repetiion could be a good thing. Not a lot of action but
there's going to be at least two major battles in the ending part :) And
yes... the father of Chibi-Usa will *is* revealed in thie part as promised.

Here's a question, when Endymion came back... was Serenity pregnant? I'll
never tell...

Definitions :

otouto - younger brother
imouto - younger sister
mesume - daughter

Part XXIII - Maturing

High in the mountains, the fleeing group of individuals huddled. The man
looked towards Sailor Pluto and asked, "Is she asleep?" The Senshi of
Time moved from the darkness and approached the fire. She remained
silent for several seconds before responding. Off in the distance, the
baying of wolves could be heard.

"Yes, she's finally asleep," Pluto said, "She's also dreaming. I hope
they are pleasant dreams. It has been rough on her." Glancing at the
others, Pluto added, "On all of us, you particularly."

They had fled the original hiding place with only two but within a
night's travel, they had met up with another resistance cell. Now Sailor
Pluto's only real desire was to keep Serenity safe while the timeline
switched.

                                  ******

Serenity walked down the hall softly approaching her daughter's room.
Glancing through the open door, she saw her husband talking with Usagi.
A brief smile flitted across her face; Serenity was content and happy.
Yes, she didn't have Endymion here but she had found love with another.

"You had a big day today, ne?" he asked his daughter while brushing a
few stray hairs from her face.

"Hai," Usagi answered and then gave an expansive yawn, "Don't want to go
to bed."

This elicited a soft chuckle from her father. Bending down, he kissed
her forehead and said softly, "You're almost four. In a few months
you'll be a four and then maybe you can stay up later." Reaching down,
he drew the blankets up and tucked them comfortingly around his precious
child. "Now you have a good sleep." Nodding a little, Usagi snuggled
close to her rabbit and closing her eyes, soon drifted into slumber.

Rising, he walked across the room and after turning off the main light,
left. The soft glow of the nightlight gave the little girl's sleeping
features a softly and warm glow. It was something that Serenity always
loved to see; it made her content. Leaning her head against her
husband's chest, they both slowly walked towards their own room.

"Serenity, I love you so much," he said softly stopping his motion to
turn her about. Once she was facing him, he bent his head and drawing
her slowly up before kissing her. "Would you... would you consider
having another child?"

She stared into his eyes for a moment before speaking, "Diamondo, I
would gladly bear another of your children." Serenity giggled. It
sounded so antiquated, awkward. "You are my support, my spirit. When
Endymion went away... I still love him."

She was about to say more but Diamondo gently placed a finger on her
lips. "Shh, I know, my love. I would not want you to give up that love.
You would be miserable; I'm not trying to replace Endymion. I just don't
want to be replaced by him."

<Never,> Serenity thought while she encircled her husband and sighed in
contentment.

                                  ******

Slowly Serenity awoke. She was not in the Crystal Palace. She was not in
the warm embrace of her husband. She was on a mountainside, the coldness
seeping into her bones with the sounds of nature all about her, and the
hounds of hell tracking her. She lay there staring up into the star
studded darkness thinking.

<What changed you, Endymion? What changed Mamoru?> They were two
questions that effected the same person. <I can understand you being
hurt, Endymion. But to... destroy the life I had built with Diamondo and
Usagi... Why?> She tried to recall that day that Diamondo disappeared
but couldn't. <The timelines are growing further apart. I will not have
the precious family that I once had in this life, yet I will only know
what my past self knew when we completely merge.> Serenity sniffled a
little. The past was hard to think about and even in this new timeline,
things were not perfect.

                                  ******

Chibi-Usa slowly woke. She was snuggled close to her mother, one arm
lightly lay across Usagi. Chibi-Usa could feel Usagi's breathing, her
chest gently rising and falling. She wiggled a little to get more
comfortable. The bed was warm and she was content. It had been the day
after her trip to Mamoru's and the time she had spent in her room had
given her a chance to try and work things out. Chibi-Usa hadn't gotten
any closer to a real answer for her feelings but she was starting to
realize that things weren't necessarily what they appeared to be.

The gentleness of the alarm clock made her jump slightly. Turning her
head, she scowled disapprovingly at the alarm clock. She didn't want to
get up and her mother didn't either so why set the alarm?

"Good morning, Chibi-Usa," Usagi said softly. Chibi-Usa turned to look
at her mother who gave a small smile, "I thought you'd be up with the
birds."

"Mommy, people don't sleep in trees," Chibi-Usa said.

Usagi giggled and rumpled Chibi-Usa's hair. "Honey, that was an
expression. I meant I thought you were going to be up when the birds
woke up."

"Why?" Chibi-Usa questioned curiously, "It's Sunday. We don't have to go
to school today. You and me can sleep in." <Then later I can watch anime
with Uncle Shingo.>

"But your friends are coming over today," Usagi said, "And I'm your
onee." Usagi didn't respond when she heard Chibi-Usa mutter darkly about
that particular reminder. "Now come on. Let's get up and ready. You
don't want your friends to come and you still in your PJs." Sliding out
of bed, Usagi headed for the dresser. Chibi-Usa sat up and crossing her
arms, stuck out her bottom lip.

"You don't like my PJs?" Chibi-Usa questioned. Usagi sighed. She was
getting the feeling that it was going to be a very LONG day.

                                  ******

Shortly after ten that morning, Maia arrived along with her mother. She
literally bounced into the house when the door was opened and gave
Chibi-Usa a hug. "Konnichiwa!" she announced, obviously delighted to see
her friend.

"Konnichiwa!" Chibi-Usa replied while grinning. Her slightly
uncooperative mood had disappeared once she woke up. Breakfast had been
a necessary evil. Chibi-Usa wanted time to speed up but it just kept
dragging its feet like usual.

"Hello Atashi-san," Usagi greeted Maia's mother, "She's energetic."

"I'll say she is," Mrs. Atashi remarked and then smiled, "Maia, you be
good now. I'll be back this afternoon to pick you up."

"'Kay Mommy," Maia responded. She had let Chibi-Usa go and was looking
around the Tsukino home with interest.

"Aren't I going to get a hug?" Mrs. Atashi questioned.

"I guess so..." Maia said. Usagi covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.
Maia looked curiously at Usagi for a moment before reaching up to hug
her mother. Bending down, Mrs. Atashi gave her daughter a hug and a
kiss. "Mommy... You just wanted a hug!" Maia protested. This time Usagi
openly giggled.

"Oh go on, go play," Maia's mother responded with a smile. Maia, wanting
to oblige, scurried back to Chibi-Usa and both girls vanished into the
kitchen.

"I wish I knew what Maia's brother said to her. She's been like this
since Friday. Oh look at the time! I should go say hello to your mother.
Ja ne, Usagi-san."

"I will. Ja ne," Usagi answered and closed the door once Maia's mother
had gone. Turning, she made her way into the kitchen where Maia,
Chibi-Usa, and her mother were.

As she entered the kitchen, Usagi heard Maia saying, "Is this your
mommy, Chibi-Usa-chan? She doesn't look like Sailor Moon." Usagi's eyes
swung over to Chibi-Usa who was standing beside Maia.

"Nope, that's my sobo," Chibi-Usa stated proudly. "That's my mommy,"
Chibi-Usa said while pointing to Usagi.

"Really?!?" Maia questioned her eyes going wide. Tentatively walking
over to stand in front of Usagi, the little girl looked up with wonder
and awe as she said, "So you're Sailor Moon?!?"

Usagi started to feel flustered. She swung her gaze over to her mother.
Ikuko was looking slightly confused. Before Usagi could respond, Ikuko
said, "Chibi-Usa, I'M your mommy."

A confused expression slid onto Maia's face as she turned to look at
Ikuko. "Tsukino-san, are you Sailor Moon?" Ikuko shook her head. "Then
you can't be Chibi-Usa's mommy. Chibi-Usa said her mommy was Sailor
Moon." While Ikuko was staring quizzically at Maia who seemed to be
serious about the matter, Usagi was glaring balefully at Chibi-Usa.

Chibi-Usa gulped and threw a nasty look at Maia; she wasn't supposed to
say that! <Now Mommy's going to be mad at me.> She was just debating
what to say when someone knocked on the door, "I'll get it!" Chibi-Usa
declared and darted out of the kitchen passed by an irritated looking
Usagi. Maia, sensing that something wasn't right, ran after Chibi-Usa.

Ikuko just shook her head and chuckled, "Kids... Chibi-Usa-chan, don't
open that door!"

"'Kay Obaa-san!" came the response from the hallway. Frowning again,
Ikuko left the room followed closely by Usagi.

                                  ******

By about twenty-to-eleven, all of Chibi-Usa's other friends arrived. The
first to come after Maia were the twins, Tawa and Sawa. The next to come
was Ikado and her mother. The little girl was almost a duplicate of
Makoto except for the height. Ikado was the most rambunctious and also
the bravest of the girls. The last to come was Nakita along with her
father. Once the group had been assembled, they moved into Chibi-Usa's
room to play while the grownups talked.

As Usagi sat in her own room, she could her the little girls giggling
and laughing. It gave Usagi a warm feeling inside. She was proud that
Chibi-Usa could overcome her fear of others and make good friends. She
was preparing to start her homework when a knock at the door caused
Usagi to jump slightly.

"Come in," Usagi said while turning to look at the door. <I wonder who
that could be...>

"Hi Usagi-chan," Minako greeted as she opened the door and walked into
the room, "What's up?"

"Not much, just doing homework... Did you study for that math test
you're having tomorrow?" When Minako shook her head, Usagi sighed before
saying, "Minako-chan, you're going to flunk out of math. You do know
that, don't you?"

"Aw, Usagi-chan, don't worry. I can study tonight," Minako chirped
cheerfully.

Deciding that it was useless to argue, Usagi changed the subject by
saying, "What are YOU doing here? I thought you were going to visit
Mie." Minako didn't respond; instead she walked over to Usagi's bed and
sat down.

"I brought her with me," Minako finally responded after a short pause
before giving a sly grin, "Why don't we go have some fun on our own. We
can be back in time for Makoto's good food." Minako gave Usagi an even
bigger grin, "Or would you like to do homework?"

"You're in a strange mood," Usagi commented dryly while pushing her
homework to one side.

"Well, being around Mie makes me feel like a little kid. Besides I still
haven't gotten over the fact that you're ACTUALLY doing homework!" Usagi
was about to respond but a burst of giggling from Chibi-Usa's room drew
their attention. "She's lucky," Minako said softly.

"Nani?" Usagi questioned.

"Chibi-Usa, she's got good friends..." Minako said in the same soft
voice.

"And what am I?!?" Usagi retorted.

"No, no I didn't mean anything by it. I just meant that she has good
friends from her own school. Nobody at my school likes me very much;
even in England, it was a major pain!"

"Well there's always daylight before the dawn," Usagi said while giving
a lopsided grin.

"Why you...!" Minako spluttered and grabbing up Usagi's pillow, threw it
towards her friend. "Make fun of my bad quoting abilities, ne?!?" Giving
a yelp of mock terror, Usagi dodged. The pillow sailed over Usagi and
hit Ranma the teddy bear.

"Don't worry, Ranma, I'll protect you!" Usagi declared and retrieving
the pillow, started to advance on Minako, all the while grinning evilly.

                                  ******

When Mie first entered Chibi-Usa's room, it fell silent. All eyes turned
and widened. Ikado frowned and glared, "What are you doing in here,
shrimp?" Mie gulped slightly and looked towards Chibi-Usa who was also
looking curiously towards the little girl.

"Hi Mie-chan, how'd you get here?" Maia asked.

"Minako-oneesan brought me," Mie said softly. She hadn't entered
completely into the room; rather she was looking around the door using
it as a protective measure.

"Mie-chan, come in and play with us," Chibi-Usa said. This caused the
other girls excluding Maia to give Chibi-Usa odd looks or, in the case
of Ikado, a scowl.

"She's just a little kid!" Tawa complained, "She's too young to play
with us!" Mie frowned, her eyes started to mist over slightly.

Chibi-Usa thought about what Sawa had said before saying, "But you're
younger than I am, ne? Does that mean you're to young to play with me?"
Grinning at her own logic, she said, "Mie-chan, come in and play. It's
my room and I like you."

"Arigato," Mie responded and scurrying into the room, sat down beside
Chibi-Usa and Maia. Ikado and Tawa fumed while the other girls avoided
looking towards Mie. Turning to face Chibi-Usa, she asked,
"Chibi-Usa-chan, how old are you?"

"I'm eight," Chibi-Usa responded while giving Mie a quizzical look.

"You're the same age as my onee," Mie said, "How come you're not in her
class?" Chibi-Usa shrugged; she didn't know. "Momo said somethin' about
you but I forget what," Mie said softly. <Maybe I should go find Minako.
They don't want me to play with them.>

"Your onee is Sayama Momoko?!?" Ikado questioned. She along with the
other girls had surprised expressions on their faces. When Mie nodded in
the affirmative, Ikado gulped, "Um well... I suppose Mie isn't all bad."
Momoko was older than they were. She was Chibi-Usa's age or older!

"I don't believe it!" Tawa said, "You're joking, ne?"

"Nope!" Mie grinned, "Onee is great! Her friends don't like me." Mie
said, "They say I'm a baby." A scowl crossed the little girl's face as
she thought of the times that Momoko had been dragged away by her other
friends leaving Mie to fend for herself.

"Well Momo's my friend," Chibi-Usa said, "And I like you." Mie turned
and gave the older girl a brilliant smile. After a few more awed
comments about Momoko, the others grudgingly accepted Mie. And soon
after that they started playing together again. Mie's inclusion into the
group did go slowly though. At first, Chibi-Usa and Maia were the only
ones to include her fully but as time went on and Mie proved that she
wasn't stupid or babyish, the others finally decided that she was okay.

Although Chibi-Usa wasn't sure what caused the squabble, Ikado and Sawa
had started yelling at each other. "You're making that up, Ikado-chan!"
Sawa shouted, "You're fibbing!"

"Am not!" Ikado shouted back, "I did SO get chased by a dog. It was the
big slobbering one by the school." Sawa, her brown eyes blazing glared
defiantly at Ikado, "I'm telling the truth!"

After a few seconds Sawa subsided, "'Kay, but it just ain't fair. You
have a lot of neat stuff happen to you." This comment caused most of the
girls to stare in disbelief at Sawa. Shifting uncomfortably, Sawa
suddenly grinned, "Mie-chan, where's your onee?"

Mie giggled before saying, "Onee got in big trouble." A grin started to
slowly spread across her face. "You shoulda saw Mommy's face! It was all
red and did she yell!" A giggle escaped Mie and her grin got even
bigger, "Onee's always gettin' me into trouble." The last part sounded
much like a typical five year old; just like her sister, Mie had a knack
for getting into sticky situations. Unlike her sister, however, Mie
hadn't yet developed the ability to talk her way out of trouble.

"What'd your onee do?" Chibi-Usa asked curiously. She was mystified by
Mie's delight at seeing her sister in trouble. She was also wondering
what Momoko could've done. She seemed like a really smart girl to
Chibi-Usa; somebody who'd never get into trouble.

"I was jumping on my bed," Mie said softly. If her mother heard, she'd
be in trouble as well, "Onee said she could jump higher than me."

"What happened?" Nakita questioned curiously. All the girls except
Chibi-Usa seemed interested. Chibi-Usa, however, was starting to feel
slightly horrified at the imagined possibilities. She couldn't
understand why anyone would take risks at getting into trouble. She, for
one, tried her best to stay out of trouble.

"I told Onee she was fibbing. I didn't believe her." Mie was grinning
broadly now. "Momo started jumping on her bed and all of a sudden it
went BOOM!!!" Mie threw her hands up to indicate an explosion before
falling back and giggling even more. "It was pretty funny!" Mie declared
from the floor.

"The bed broke?!?" Chibi-Usa questioned, her face was slightly white and
she was staring with some apprehension at Mie. <I hope Momoko's all
right.>

After a few more seconds of giggling, Mie sat up, her eyes sparkled with
mischief as she looked at the other girls. Tawa and Sawa were looking at
each other before turning to stare at Mie. Maia was looking just about
as shocked as Chibi-Usa although her complexion was normal. Nakita was
staring wide-eyed and had a look of disbelief on her face.

"Hai, the bed broke... It hit the floor. Mommy got scared, so did Onee!"
Subsiding a little more, Mie leaned in conspiratorially before saying,
"Onee's grounded for two weeks!"

Chibi-Usa's scowled slightly, her apprehension giving away to curiosity.
"You mean Momoko didn't get spanked?!?" Chibi-Usa questioned Mie. Mie's
grin slid from her face and she looked curiously at Chibi-Usa, "Nani?"
Chibi-Usa questioned when she noticed that her other friends were also
looking at her.

"Mommy got the bed fixed. Why would Momo get spanked?" Mie questioned
Chibi-Usa.

"But..." Chibi-Usa said and then trailed off. The room was silent for
several seconds before Chibi-Usa spoke again, "But your onee did
something wrong, ne?" Mie nodded, "So if she did something wrong,
wouldn't she get spanked?" To Chibi-Usa doing something wrong and not
getting spanked was a very foreign thought. There was just something
strange that she couldn't really grasp, even with the discussion she had
had with her mother the day before.

The others seemed to be stunned or confused by Chibi-Usa's reasoning.
After a few moments, Maia said, "You gotta do something REALLY, REALLY,
bad first."

Mie nodded, "Hai, Mommy told Onee that she's lucky Daddy fixed the bed."
Standing, Mie pouted slightly and in a fair imitation of her sister
said, "I hate being grounded! It's the worst thing in the whole world!"
This prompted most of the girls to giggle.

"Does your Onee say that a lot?" Sawa asked. Mie grinned again and while
sitting down, nodded.

Chibi-Usa was feeling even more confused. Getting up, she retrieved
Floppy from the bed and holding it, said, "You gotta do something really
bad?" she questioned Maia who nodded. A look of concentration came over
Chibi-Usa's face as she tried to muddle it through.

"Chibi-Usa-chan, what's the matter?" Maia asked seriously.

                                  ******

"Excuse me," Ikuko said when she heard a knock at the door. Leaving her
guests in the living room, she walked to the door and upon opening it,
discovered Makoto waiting outside. "Hello Mako-chan, I was starting to
wonder where you got to."

"Hello Tsukino-san, gomen. I had a few things to pick up," Makoto
explained as she stepped into the Tsukino home. "I thought it would be
nosier than this," she remarked as she pulled on a pair of slippers.

Ikuko frowned slightly, "Hai, it's been quiet up there." Turning, she
went to the bottom of the stairs and called up, "Usagi-chan! Makoto's
here!" A muffled acknowledgement came floating down the stairs and Ikuko
gave a slight sigh, "Minako's over here, too."

"Uh oh," Makoto said while grinning slightly, "Maybe I should go see if
Usagi's okay. Minako has a habit of making things explode. I won't even
let her in the kitchen at my place." Ikuko took some of the packages
from Makoto and led the way into the kitchen. As she walked she gave
Makoto a quizzical look. "Minako made my microwave melt." The response
caused Ikuko's eyebrows to raise in surprise.

As they entered the kitchen, Ikuko said, "Mako-chan, just put those bags
on the counter. I'll introduce you to everybody else and then maybe
Usagi will..."

"Will what, Mom?" Usagi questioned from behind Makoto and Ikuko.

Both Ikuko and Makoto jumped. Turning, they say Minako and Usagi
standing in the doorway. "What on earth happened to you?!?" Ikuko
questioned. Usagi's golden hair was rumpled and one odango was missing.

Usagi flushed brightly and looked towards the ground, "Um... freak wind
storm?"

"Usagi," Ikuko said with mild exasperation, "Here I was worried that
Chibi-Usa and her friends were getting into trouble..." Shaking her
head, she looked towards Minako who was looking rather guilty. "Why
don't you two go see what Chibi-Usa and her friends are up to. Lunch'll
be ready in a little while."

"Hi Mako-chan, I can hardly wait for lunch!" Usagi said and then
turning, bolted up the stairs. Minako waved her own greeting before
following Usagi. Makoto giggled before smiling.

After introducing Makoto to her other guest, and leaving Kenji to make
small talk, Ikuko retreated inot the kitchen to assit Makoto. As they
started to prepare the lunch, Ikuko glanced towards Makoto and said,
"So you like spending time with Chibi-Usa?"

"Hai," Makoto said while starting to cut some carrots, "She's a sweet
little girl." A faint smile played across her face as she added,
"Besides I like being her onee."

"It's like having a family, ne?" Ikuko asked gently. Makoto simply
nodded. "I think you're good for Chibi-Usa," Ikuko reassured the young
girl, "Usagi's been trying so hard."

Makoto was silent for several seconds before saying, "I don't think
she's really gotten over Mamoru." <Way to go! I spilt the beans...
baka,> Makoto thought. The last thing Usagi would want was for Makoto to
discuss Mamoru to Ikuko. "I see Usagi improving and that's great. She's
doing this for Chibi-Usa."

The kitchen fell silent for a few minutes as Makoto and Ikuko continued
to prepare the meal. Finally Ikuko said, "I know her heart was broken
when we made her give up Mamoru... but does she understand that
Chibi-Usa would be affected?" The question was more to herself rather
than Makoto but the younger girl answered.

"Usagi likes being a mother; she sees it as her... destiny I suppose.
She loves Chibi-Usa and that little girl wants a mother. I know Usagi's
her sister now but I think Usagi doesn't want to give up her role."
Turning to face Ikuko, she opened her mouth to speak but stopped
herself. Flushing, she turned back and continued on with her own work.

"Mako-chan?" Ikuko questioned, "What were you going to say?" Ikuko said
while placing her hand on Makoto's shoulder.

Makoto remained silent for several seconds before saying, "I think Usagi
needs to become an onee to Chibi-Usa in her own time. If it's pushed on
her, then she won't be happy with it and Chibi-Usa won't make it any
easier."

"I haven't seen Rei much, even less than Minako," Ikuko commented. She
was looking for some type of explanation about Rei's behavior.

"I know she's proud of Usagi but I think she's upset that Usagi came to
me for advice and not her," Makoto said after some thought. "Rei's gruff
and doesn't like little kids much. I think once Chibi-Usa's around a lot
more, she'll come around." Makoto glanced towards Ikuko and added. "I
think Minako's a little lonely."

"Nani?" Ikuko questioned while raising an eyebrow.

Flushing slightly, Makoto stopped her work and turned to face Ikuko
before saying, "Maybe I shouldn't have said that."

"Mako-chan, please, what did you mean?" Ikuko asked. That last statement
was rather curious and it was hard to see how Minako would be lonely
with friends like Usagi and the others.

"Ever since Usagi started raising her grades and spending most of her
time with Chibi-Usa, Minako's feeling a little left out." Turning
around, Makoto started working again. <I should have kept my mouth
shut!> She understood Ikuko's concern. <Sometimes I think Usagi doesn't
see the obvious or simply refuses to.> Ikuko allowed the matter to slide
for the moment. She had some thinking of her own to do.

                                  ******

For the rest of the time before lunch, Usagi and Minako took turns
reading a storybook. It was made more interesting when Minako and Usagi
acted out some scenes of the story. Although the girls were having a fun
time, Usagi was slightly worried. A small part of her mind was trying to
figure out what the girls had been talking about. None of them had
mentioned anything but it seemed like the discussion had been serious.

Minako hadn't even noticed and was throwing herself whole-heartedly into
the acting out of the story. It was one of the reasons she spent time
with Mie; she found that sometimes she needed to let go and little kids
were fascinating. They could think and do some of the most outrageous
things with little or no concern at all. To Minako, they were kindred
spirits in a way. It was also a way for her to relieve tension. Since
Usagi, and to a lesser extent Makoto, had started to pull ahead
academically, she couldn't use the excuse that she was better than
Usagi. Now within her own group, she was sitting at the bottom of the
academic barrel.

Admittedly Makoto wasn't far ahead but that slight gap felt more like a
chasm to Minako. Her parents weren't sympathetic either. They pointed
out that if Tsukino Usagi could pull up her grades, then Minako could do
the same thing. Although Minako was happy for Usagi, she was also
annoyed with her friend.

"The end!" Usagi said drawing Minako out of her own thoughts. Usagi
heaved a sigh and flopped onto the bed. The girls giggled. "Wow, that
was hard."

"Oh come on that was easy," Minako retorted.

"For you maybe. I'm not the one who spent the last six pages acting out
EVERYBODY's part," Usagi said while raising her head high enough to
glare at Minako who flushed slightly and giggled. "Isn't that right?"

"Hai," Mie said. The little girl got up. "Minako-oneesan you did this."
Crossing her one hand over her body, she placed her elbow on it before
supporting her chin in the other one. Mie then proceeded to roll her
eyes upward and tried to match the facial expression of Minako.

"Hey!" Minako protested, "I didn't do that!"

"You did!" everyone else coursed back then broke into laughter at the
disgusted look that Minako took on.

"Everybody hates me," Minako pouted, "I might as well go eat worms."
That produced the desired response. Everyone except Usagi stared at
Minako, eyes wide.

"Eew! Worms?!?" Maia questioned, "My otouto likes worms!" The other
little girls made disgusted looking faces.

"Would you really eat worms?" Chibi-Usa questioned while getting up to
walk over to Minako. Minako was about to respond when there was a knock
at the door. "Come in," Chibi-Usa said while turning to the door. The
little girl smiled when she saw the person standing in the doorway.
"Onee-san!" she called happily and ran over to give Makoto a hug. Makoto
bent down and lifted Chibi-Usa into a big hug. "I didn't know you were
here!" Chibi-Usa said excitedly.

"I came over to help your mommy make lunch."

As Chibi-Usa turned to look quizzically at Makoto, Mie nudged Maia and
said, "She's BIG!" Maia just grinned. Gathering her courage, Mie walked
over to Makoto and said, "Are you really Chibi-Usa's onee?!?" Makoto
nodded. Turning, Mie looked at Usagi and asked, "How old are you?!?"
Minako started to laugh as Usagi's face took on a sour expression.
Makoto also chuckled.

"Come on, it's time for lunch."

"Mako-chan?" Chibi-Usa questioned, "If Mommy was going to help you make
lunch... but she was up here reading to us... how can lunch be ready?"
Leaning close, Makoto whispered her reply into Chibi-Usa's ear.
Chibi-Usa thought about it for a moment before saying, "I get it now."
Grinning, Makoto lowered Chibi-Usa and led the way down the hall towards
the stairs.

As Mie took Minako's hand, the little girl looked up and said,
"Onee-san, don't eat worms, I like you a lot!" She then giggled as
Minako smiled and rumpled her hair.

"Arigato, you're pretty special yourself," Minako said to Mie who puffed
out her chest in pride.

                                  ******

About an hour later, Minako slumped back into her chair and gave a
contented sigh. "That was great, arigato," she said casting her eyes
first towards Ikuko and then towards Makoto.

"We're glad you liked it," Ikuko said and smiled, "You must have been
hungry, Minako-chan."

"Hai," Minako said while sitting a little straighter, "When I heard that
Makoto was going to help you, Tsukino-san, I didn't eat anything since
lunch yesterday. I wanted enough room to get as much of that good
cooking into me as I could." This response caused most of the adults
present to grin. Tawa and Sawa looked slightly disgusted but they
remained silent. "Mie-chan, let's say we get you cleaned up we have to
go soon."

"Why? We were having fun," Mie pouted slightly as she looked pleadingly
at Minako. "Can't we stay?"

"Gomen, Mie-chan, but I promised your mommy we'd be home by one-thirty."
She gave the little girl an apologetic smile. <I won't mention that you
still have to take a nap.>

"'Kay," Mie conceded after some thought, "Arigato Tsukino-san,
Makoto-san, it was good."

"You're quite welcome, Mie-chan," Ikuko said, "Girls, why do you go play
for a little while longer."

"Yeah!" Ikado declared happily and then sobered when she caught her
mother's warning look, "I promise I'll be good." This produced giggles
from the other girls.

"Can I help you, Obaa-san?" Chibi-Usa questioned. Although Chibi-Usa
didn't notice it, Ikuko did. Some of the parents were covering their
mouths trying to hide their smiles.

"No, arigato, why don't you go play with the others," Ikuko directed.
Nodding, Chibi-Usa slid off her chair and led the way back up the
stairs.

As the girls were leaving the room, one of them muttered, "She doesn't
have enough white hair." This elicited giggles from Minako and Usagi.

"It's nice of you to VOLUNTEER to help Makoto clean the dishes,
Usagi-chan, Minako-chan. Arigato," Ikuko said with her own smile. "What
was that, Usagi-chan?" Ikuko questioned when she heard rumbling from
Usagi.

"Nothing Mom," Usagi quickly replied. <I wonder how Mom would react if
she knew that she really was a sobo?> Shrugging, Usagi motioned to
Minako and both of them started to collect the empty dishes while Makoto
headed towards the kitchen.

Once within the safety of the kitchen, Usagi sighed. Turning to start
the water running, she said to Makoto, "That was excellent, arigato."

"You're quite welcome, Usagi-chan," Makoto said, "Now once we get these
dishes washed and put away, then I can go spend time with Chibi-Usa. If
that's okay with you `Mom'," Makoto added while grinning at Usagi.

"Makoto no baka," Usagi growled and flicked water at Makoto who
sidestepped the attack. "So it was an honest mistake." Lowering her
voice, Usagi added, "Besides, Chibi-Usa hasn't yet given up on calling
me `Mommy' yet." This brought a thought to Usagi's mind, "She also went
ahead and told Maia that I was Sailor Moon."

"Nani?" Makoto breathed, "You're joking, ne?" Usagi shook her head in
the negative, "Kami-sama Usagi..."

"Yeah, well not much harm. Who'd believe her? Luna's not very happy
though."

"I would suspect so," Minako said, "So what do you suppose they were
talking about before we went in there?"

Usagi considered this for several seconds before saying, "I don't know.
Maybe tonight I'll be able to find out."

Meanwhile in Chibi-Usa's room, the girls were involved in their own
discussions. "Maia," Chibi-Usa said softly as they stood in one corner
of Chibi-Usa's room, "I told you it was a secret." The other girls were
also spread out about the room involved in their own conversations.

"Gomen Chibi-Usa-chan," Maia said, "I hope your mommy isn't really mad.
But I thought that your sobo WAS your mommy. I didn't think it was a
secret from her." Maia gave Chibi-Usa a pleading look.

"Well just promise you won't tell your mommy," Chibi-Usa asked, "If
anybody found out, then Mommy might get hurt." This revelation caused
Maia's eyes to open wide.

Before she could respond though, Ikado's voice interrupted them,
"Chibi-Usa-chan, Maia-chan, come over here. I know what we can play
next." Maia gave Chibi-Usa a wink before walking over to join the
others. Satisfied that the matter was settled, Chibi-Usa followed her
best friend over to join the others. "Now here's what we're going to
do..."

                                  ******

It was after supper when Chibi-Usa and Maia entered the room once again.
Maia had "persuaded" her mother to allow her to stay for supper;
although Ikuko's cooking wasn't as good as Makoto's it was certainly
delicious. Sitting on Chibi-Usa's bed, Maia picked up Floppy and said,
"Where'd you get Floppy?"

"Mommy gave him to me," Chibi-Usa said while walking over to sit beside
her friend, "Mommy said she had him when she was little. He's a good
listener."

"Where's your daddy?" Maia asked.

"Home," Chibi-Usa said softly while shifting with obvious discomfort, a
small shiver ran down her back. "I'm not allowed to see him."

"Don't ya miss him?" Maia questioned now looking seriously at Chibi-Usa.
Chibi-Usa nodded then sniffled. "What's the matter, Chibi-Usa-chan?"
Maia asked worriedly, "Why are you cryin'?"

Chibi-Usa turned mist filled eyes towards her friend and gave another
sniffle, "If you spill juice, do you get into trouble?" Maia shook her
had while giving Chibi-Usa a quizzical look. "I do," Chibi-Usa whispered
softly, "If Daddy's here, I get into trouble but when he's not, then I
don't."

"But if you spill somethin', then it's an accident," Maia said, "Why
would you get into trouble because you spilled somethin'?" Chibi-Usa
shrugged; Maia sat silently for a few seconds before saying,
"Chibi-Usa-chan, one time I spilled my milk over the carpet. Mommy got
mad cause I was running with my glass when I shoulda been sittin'. I had
to sit in the corner the whole day." That was one Saturday she wouldn't
soon forget either; Maia had been bored stiff.

Squirming uncomfortably, Chibi-Usa said while flushing with
embarrassment, "I accidentally hit Daddy with some juice. He got really
mad..."

"I bet you couldn't watch TV for a whole week!" Maia said with some awe.

"No," Chibi-Usa responded softly, "Daddy spanked me with his belt."
Maia's eyes enlarged so that they appeared ready to explode. "Anytime I
do anything bad, Daddy hits me with his belt... or other stuff."
Chibi-Usa shivered and she gave another sniffle. A small smiled pushed
its way onto her face as Maia gave her a hug of reassurance.

"But Chibi-Usa-chan," Maia said after a moments shocked silence, "How
come you get spanked all the time? It's only if you do something REALLY,
REALLY, BAD. Doesn't your daddy love you?"

Chibi-Usa just sat silently for a long time thinking. <Maia wouldn't lie
to me. So I wasn't bad all those times? Does Daddy really love me? He
said he did but that was NOW, not in the future.> She felt Maia shake
her slightly. <I don't understand.> The revelations of the past few days
were confusing. Slowly, with some effort she started to tell Maia little
pieces, trying to figure out what was "normal". It was one step in a
long series of steps that would likely last for several years.

                                  ******

Late that night, Usagi entered her room; she had just finished changing
for bed in the bathroom as not to wake Chibi-Usa. The little girl was
restlessly sleeping. Something had obviously been bothering Chibi-Usa
when she went to bed and even in sleep, it bothered the little girl.
Yawning, Usagi gently slid into bed. As she settled down to sleep,
Chibi-Usa snuggled closer. She gave Chibi-Usa a gentle hug and brushed
some of the loose hair out of the child's face.

"Mommy?" Chibi-Usa asked softly while blearily opening an eye to look at
Usagi.

"Sweetheart, are you okay?" Usagi asked while stroking Chibi-Usa's hair.
The little girl positioned herself so she could use Usagi's shoulder as
a pillow. Usagi gave her daughter a hug and waited for a response.
<Please Mesume, talk to me,> Usagi thought as she watched her daughter's
face.

"Maia... Maia said that you only get spanked if you do something REALLY,
REALLY bad," Chibi-Usa said seriously, "You said that Daddy was sick
'cause he hits me so much."

"Hai," Usagi answered softly while holding her daughter a little closer
for comfort, "What were you thinking about, Usagi?" <You can take this
step, little one. If you take it now, it'll make some of the other ones
easier.>

"Does that mean I've been good?" Chibi-Usa asked. Although the only
source of light shadowed her face, the worry and fear were obvious in
her tone.

"I think so," Usagi said softly while giving Chibi-Usa a kiss on the
forehead, "Since you came here, you've been a very good girl. I think at
home you were extra good so that your daddy wouldn't hit you, ne?"
Chibi-Usa nodded and hugged Usagi back, "Usagi, if you DIDN'T do
anything wrong, then your daddy SHOULDN'T have punished you at all."

"Daddy hates me, ne?" Chibi-Usa asked, her voice thick with emotion and
tears starting to streak her cheeks.

"Hai," Usagi said softly, reluctantly, "You've been so good and I don't
think you would be very naughty. You're a very smart and pretty little
girl." Usagi gave Chibi-Usa another hug and brushed away the already
fallen tears.

"Does Sobo hate me?" Chibi-Usa asked in a thick voice while sniffling.

Usagi opened her mouth to respond and then closed it. For a long moment
she thought about what to say. "Usagi, my mom spanked you yesterday
because you did something really dangerous, ne?" Chibi-Usa nodded. "But
she still loves you. When I was bad and got punished, I knew that she
still loved me. So even if I got put into a corner or grounded or even
spanked, I knew that my mom loved me. She loves you, too. Do you
understand?"

"A little," Chibi-Usa responded, "I can't go back to the future. Daddy
was really mad when I hid in the closet once 'cause I wet the bed. He'd
be really mad that I ran away from him."

"What do you mean?" Usagi asked softly. She could feel that Chibi-Usa
was starting to relax a little, the worry draining from her.

"My juice spilled all over Daddy and he got really mad at me. He spanked
me REALLY hard and told me not to move. Mommy was going to send me here
when Daddy found us." A sob came out and for a long time, the little
girl stayed quiet reliving the horror of that day. After a minute or so,
she continued, "Mommy made me come back here. I ran away from Daddy. If
I go back, then Daddy will be mad at me and I'm scared." A fresh set of
tears came to Chibi-Usa and she softly cried again. Wrapping her arms
around Usagi's neck, she buried her face against Usagi and cried.

"You can stay with me and I'll protect you," Usagi said while gently
stroking the little girl's hair, "The others will protect you." Sitting
up, she drew Chibi-Usa into a comforting embrace and started to gently
rock. "I'll be right here and your daddy won't hurt you. I love you and
so do my mom and dad... Even Shingo loves you." Usagi continued to talk
comfortingly to Chibi-Usa who eventually cried herself out. Usagi
settled both herself and Chibi-Usa back into bed. The little girl gave a
yawn and she snuggled closer for warm and comfort. "You had a big day,
ne?" Usagi asked trying to get Chibi-Usa's mind on to a more pleasant
topic.

"Hai, arigato," Chibi-Usa said softly, a slow smile spread across her
face, "Mommy, I'm sorry I told Maia that you were Sailor Moon." She
raised her eyes to look at Usagi. <Mommy's pretty,> Chibi-Usa thought as
she saw her mother's soft features as they were highlighted by the
streetlight coming in through the window.

"It's okay," Usagi reassured her daughter, "We talked about this before.
I'm not angry with you but I don't want you telling everybody that I'm
Sailor Moon, okay?"

"Hai," Chibi-Usa said and giving her mother a hug settled down to sleep
again, "I love you, Mommy."

Usagi grimaced slightly but didn't have the heart to correct Chibi-Usa.
"I love you, too," she whispered softly. Settling down as well, she felt
and heard Chibi-Usa soon drift back into slumber. A small smile spread
over her face. It had certainly been a great day. Mie had left shortly
after lunch. The other girls except for Maia had left shortly before
three. Maia had convinced her mother, or rather begged her mother, to
allow her to stay until after supper. At about ten to seven, Maia was
whisked away home.

Usagi was pulled out of her thoughts by feeling the padding of small
feet on the bed. Lifting her head slightly, she saw the gently glowing
eyes of Luna looking at her. "Nani?" she questioned softly, no desire in
waking the sleeping little girl.

Luna was silent for several seconds. Then moving to sit on Usagi's
stomach, Luna said softly, "I'm disappointed in you." Usagi glared at
her feline mentor but didn't say anything. "After all that talk about
consequences if Chibi-Usa told that you were Sailor Moon and all you did
was ask her not to do it again."

"What was I suppose to do? Chibi-Usa wouldn't lie to Maia. She's her
best friend," Usagi said, "I believe my daughter. I believe her when she
says she won't tell anybody else. Besides who's going to believe a six
year old?"

Luna gave a sigh of exasperation, "That isn't the point. Usagi, she had
no business telling Maia anything let alone that Sailor Moon was her
mother. Look what happened with those tabloid articles. This is the type
of publicity we can do without. Someone may not believe Maia but sooner
of later, someone would hear about this and believe. That's the danger."

"So what do you want me to do?" Usagi questioned.

"Nothing, let me talk to Chibi-Usa in the morning," Luna said. Turning,
she started to walk towards the end of the bed before turning back and
adding, "Alone, please."

Usagi sighed. Luna was making too much of issue out of it. Giving
Chibi-Usa one more hug, Usagi slipped into slumber and for the first
time in a long time had a peaceful sleep with a good dreams.

                                  ******

Chibi-Usa watched with some apprehension as the wave started to build.
She watched it sweep in over the sand before being sucked back out
towards the open ocean. The little girl was mesmerized by the motion of
the water. "It's okay, Chibi-Usa, come on in!" Usagi called to her.
Tentatively the little girl took a few cautious steps towards the water
and then sprang back as a wave came into shore. She looked up and saw
that Usagi was heading into shore. When Usagi reached Chibi-Usa, she
crouched in front of her daughter and said, "Are you scared?"

"Kind of," Chibi-Usa said softly.

"You can go back and sit with Ami if you want," Usagi said gently.

Chibi-Usa gave this consideration. She turned around to look up the
beach to where Ami was sitting beneath an umbrella with a book in the
one hand. A memory of what Usagi had said about the appearance of the
book flitted across Chibi-Usa's mind and she smiled slightly. Then her
mind started counting the number of people between her and Ami, the
number of steps between her and the blanket.

<I'm hot, and I'd like to go into the water but...> Softly, she said the
ending part of her thought, "I don't know how to swim." She flushed
slightly and turned back towards Usagi.

"Well that's okay. I can't swim very good either," Usagi said, "What if
we just sit in the where it's shallow."

"I thought you had to swim if you went to a beach," Chibi-Usa said now
looking at Usagi curiously.

"Nope, you don't HAVE to swim. You don't have to come in if you don't
want to."

"You'll come with me?" Chibi-Usa asked. At Usagi's nod, she reached out
and took hold of her mother's hand. Together they entered the water
slowly and after a brief walk, found a shallow place to sit down. <This
is fun,> Chibi-Usa thought. "The water's warm, just like bath tub."

"Hai," Usagi said, She watched as Chibi-Usa aquatinted herself with the
surrounding water and sand. <You're acting like this is all new to you,>
Usagi thought, <I suppose it is.> She felt a little sad; it reminded her
of when Chibi-Usa had first appeared. That brought another memory to
mind, <Mamoru's been awfully quiet. I don't blame him but for some
reason, I can't shake the feeling that he's planning something.>
Privately at least, she was worried. However, it wasn't worrying her
enough for it to show through. Although Usagi hated to admit the fact,
not having Mamoru around under the circumstances was actually easier
than having him hounding her.

"Usagi," Makoto said softly from behind her. Usagi gave a yelp of
surprise and whirled around. In doing so, she tripped both herself and
Chibi-Usa. With a splash both wound up face first in the water. As Usagi
scrambled to her feet, she saw that Makoto was lifting Chibi-Usa up.
"Gomen," Makoto said softly. Chibi-Usa sniffled slightly and clung to
Makoto.

"You scared me half to death!" Usagi said, annoyance showing through in
her voice. "Are you okay, Chibi-Usa-chan?"

Chibi-Usa's nodded but didn't relinquish her grip on Makoto, "That was
scary," Chibi-Usa said softly after a minute or so.

"Gomen," Makoto repeated and wiped some of the water away from
Chibi-Usa's face, "Usagi-chan, Rei wanted to talk to you." Turning to
look at the little girl in her arms, Makoto added, "Want to come out
with me?"

<Why didn't Rei come down here?> Usagi thought then something occurred
to her, <Maybe she doesn't want to talk in front of Chibi-Usa.> "Imouto,
what if I got Ami to come down and she can show you how to swim?"

"Only if Onee-san comes to," Chibi-Usa stated firmly.

"I'm game," Makoto said while lowering Chibi-Usa back into the water.

"I'll be back in a bit," Usagi said and then head towards the shore.
Casting one more look back to see that Makoto and Chibi-Usa were
splashing water at each other. <Looks like fun. Hope this is important.>

She walked up the beach. After drying off her feet, Usagi slipped a pair
of sandals onto her feet and wrapped a towel around her bathing suit.
Once more suitably attired, she went in search of Rei. She found her
friend waiting by one of the concession stands. As she approached she
noticed that Rei was looking a little down.

"What's up, Rei-chan?"

Rei only responded by indicating that she wanted to walk. Shrugging,
Usagi moved to stand beside Rei and then both girls set off down the
beach. As the seconds passed, Usagi was starting to wonder what Rei had
wanted to talk about. She was about to ask that exact question when Rei
began to talk.

"Usagi, why didn't you come to me? I could have helped you," Rei
questioned.

It took Usagi several seconds to translate the question into one that
made more sense. "You mean why did I go to Makoto for help and not you?"
Rei gave a stiff nod in response. The fiery girl's face was set into a
mask of sternness. "Because it involved Chibi-Usa; it involved Mamoru."

Rei suddenly stopped and forced Usagi to turn around and retrace the few
steps she had taken. "Why didn't you tell Mamoru?!? Look what could have
been solved! And what does Chibi-Usa have to do with not telling me!"

Usagi could feel her own temperature rise but she didn't yell. Instead
she replied as calmly as she could, "Rei-chan, you made it obvious that
you don't like kids. Chibi-Usa's at a very confusing stage in her life
and she needs support. Makoto was willing to offer that support to her.
That helped me! I didn't tell you for the same reason it took so long
for me to tell Makoto, I didn't want Mamoru find out until I had the
will to tell him. As to why I didn't tell Mamoru... I have my own
reasons, none of them are very good or very clear; but think, if I told
Mamoru about this, don't you think his future self would know?"

Rei abruptly started walking again. Usagi hurried to catch up and they
walked several more feet before Rei said anything. "I can't believe
that. I thought we were friends!"

"We are, Rei-chan, we are. I'm trying my best. Don't you care about
that? What was I supposed to do? Ami was the first one to find out that
Mamoru was the father. Why are you blaming me?!? It was hers and Luna's
decisions to keep it from the rest of us. They told me to protect
Chibi-Usa and I never said anything because at that point in my life, I
was confused, hurt, and scared."

"Scared?" Rei sneered sarcastically.

"Hai, scared. I was scared that what Ami and Luna were saying was true.
I was scared that I'd have to give up any hope of loving Mamoru. I was
scared for Chibi-Usa... I was scared of my own feelings. I'm Chibi-Usa's
mother and I love that. But if keeping her safe means giving up Mamoru,
then I will." Usagi lowered her head and looked at the ground, "I don't
mean to hurt you; you're a good friend but you're always pushing me to
do better... to shape up, grow up." Usagi stopped and waited, Rei turned
to look at Usagi, "I'm sorry if you can't forgive me. I hate keeping
secrets but these were some of the most important. My mom wants me to
give up being a mother to Chibi-Usa and that scares me."

Slowly Rei walked back and placing a hand on Usagi's arm, said, "Usagi,
Chibi-Usa would love you either way. You care about her, and no matter
what appearance you put on it, inside both of you will know that you are
mother and daughter." Grimacing, Rei looked towards the ground as she
mumbled out, "I guess I was a little silly. I'm happy that you're trying
so hard for Chibi-Usa... She's lucky to have you as a relative." Usagi
opened her mouth in shock. She closed it and attempted to speak once
again but nothing came out. That was about the closest thing to an
apology that Rei had every made. Even if it wasn't an apology, it was
pretty out of character for Rei.

"So I guess you want to help me with Chibi-Usa, ne?"

"I suppose... if you really want me to," Rei said as she looked towards
Usagi.

"Okay, I would like you to do a fire reading with Chibi-Usa present. I
want to see if I can find out what her father looks like." Rei nodded
and then motioned them back in the direction they had come from.

                                  ******

As the woman sauntered down the beach, several eyes turned her way. Most
were men who watched the slender hips swivel seductively back and forth
or trace the outline of the slender legs and the snug-fitting bikini.
The rest were those of jealous women. They watched with vague disguised
threats as she enticed THIER men. More than one quarrel started because
a husband or boyfriend was caught watching something other than their
female partners.

<Yes, even these primitives know beauty when they see it,> Esmeraudo
thought, <What perfect weather. With the hot temperature, the Senshi are
bound to come here to at least boywatch. My Droid is also doing a good
job. Sooner or later the Senshi will think that something's up and will
start investigating. That's when I'll eliminate them. I will snatch the
Rabbit and take her back to Endymion!> As she continued to walk, she
scanned the water and the sand but the crowds were making it difficult.
<I need to get higher!> she thought, but floating wasn't really an
option, not yet. <Oh you are good looking,> Esmeraudo thought as she
spotted a well-built man walking down the beach in a swimsuit. <Maybe I
shall take a little respite from the heat... at least until the Senshi
show up.>

Meanwhile, Usagi and Rei had reached the spot. Looking around she saw
that Ami and Makoto were out in the water with Chibi-Usa.
"Chibi-Usa-chan!" Usagi called out to the little girl, "Come back in for
a second! I want to put some more lotion on you so you won't get
sunburned!"

"'Kay Mommy!!!" Chibi-Usa called. Usagi gave a sigh of mild exasperation
while Rei giggled.

"You just wait, Rei-chan," Usagi grumped as she searched for the lotion,
"One of theses days you're gonna marry Yuuichiro and have kids of your
own!" Rei's snort of contempt indicated what she thought of that idea
but Usagi didn't miss a slight twinkle of anticipation in Rei's eyes.
<Rei, when will you ever admit that you love Yuuichiro? It isn't like he
DOESN'T love you.> "Darn, out of lotion."

"Doesn't anybody else have anymore?" Rei asked curiously as she dug
around in her own things, "I'm out too... but I thought I took a fully
tub."

"Ami borrowed some of mine and Makoto ran out when she did herself.
Minako didn't bring any either and she disappeared with that cute
looking guy," Usagi said while standing up, "I saw a little store
nearby. Me and Chibi-Usa can walk up and get some more. We can pick up
some drinks for the others too.

"What cute looking guy?" Rei asked now scanning the beach looking for
her other blonde haired friend.

"You know, the one with those cute little green Speedo trunks."

"Him?!?" Rei questioned her eyes growing wide, "He's WAY too old for
Minako."

"He can't be THAT old!" Usagi said. Any further conversation was
interrupted as Chibi-Usa came running up to her mother and applied a
very wet hug.

"Eww... you're all wet," Usagi said while pushing her daughter away a
little bit. "Get your sandals on and we'll take a walk to the store."
Nodding Chibi-Usa complied and soon enough, both mother and daughter
were heading for the little store that Usagi had seen.

                                  ******

King Endymion smiled. It wasn't one of pleasantry. Rather it was a smile
of self-satisfaction. The Throne Room of the Crystal Palace was packed
tightly with loyal followers or those too cowardly to stand up against
his power. "Bring them in," Endymion commanded as he sat atop his
throne. The seat of power, of HIS power.

A hushed silence fell over the room as the large set of double doors
swung open. Three figures shuffled into the room. Once in a rumpled and
faded dress, the other two in no more than rags and shackles. The guards
were all about and prodded the shackled ones with sharp-edged swords and
the occasional barrel of a gun. As the figure in the dress came further
down the walkway, soft murmuring could be heard. Never the less,
Serenity held her head high, proud and defiant.

"Greetings Serenity, my wife," Endymion sneered when Serenity had came
to a stop some twenty feet from the throne. "You honor us with your
presence, ne?"

"You defile the Throne, Endymion. You are a wife beater and a child
abuser!" Serenity snarled, "You do no good service to the crown you
supposedly wear."

Rising to his feet, Endymion quickly descended from the dais and
gripping Serenity's chin in his hand, drew her face close. "Who will
believe you? You are the one who took the Crown Princess. You are the
one who fled and conspired against me!" His voice had been cold, soft,
and dangerous; now it rose to an enraged snarl, "You DARE question MY
power?!? You are the one who committed adultery! You gave birth to that
abomination!" Shoving her back, Endymion whirled. Serenity fell heavily
to the floor.

"I thought you were dead, Endymion!" Serenity shouted, her voice no
longer holding anger but a quiet sorrow. "I loved you but when I found
love, I married in the hopes that your spirit would approve."

"Well my spirit does not approve," Endymion said while turning back
again. "Once I get back the Crown Princess, she will learn to obey ME!
You will have one precious chance to see her, and during that time, she
will suffer for disobeying me. Then I will take her away and you will
spend the rest of your life wondering what became of her."

"Do you not feel what is happening? Does your arrogance blind you?"
Serenity questioned.

"I know what you speak of, what has changed can be undone. Once I rid
myself of Sailor Pluto, I will have free access to the timelines... ANY
timeline."

"No!!!" An enraged snarl came from both shackled prisoners. But they
never had a chance. Within seconds, the guards had incapacitated them
and Endymion was once again standing at Serenity's feet. "Get up!" he
ordered her. Slowly, with the last of her dignity, she rose still
staring defiantly towards her husband.

"You monster," she said softly, pure hatred showing through.

"Me a monster?" Endymion questioned, "I am only practicing my power.
Now, take Her Majesty to an area where she can observe these traitors'
slow executions." Drawing Serenity close, he forced a kiss upon her and
then said, "I'm going into the past to get your daughter and protect my
future. To undo what you have done." <I will leave the other Senshi to
Esmeraudo... Maybe she'll actually be able to seriously hurt one of
them.> "Is there any message I can give your daughter?" Serenity did not
respond. Shoving her roughly away, he said, "I will see you soon."

Serenity wanted to scream, to fight in some way; but at least in front
of this monster, she would not give in. She would be damned if she would
fuel his enjoyment by breaking down, by pleading. <I have faith in you,
Mesume... I have faith in the Senshi. We have faced death and came back.
This should be a lot simpler.> But in a small corner of her mind,
Serenity didn't believe it. She was scared and no matter how much she
battled not to show Endymion, she was certain he knew.