Tales of Younger Earth
By Douglas "Candle Light Author" Helm and "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl

Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi, and all terms, names, etc.
associated with the series are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi and
Kodansha. We make no claim to them and this work of fanfiction should
not be seen as making a claim.

Those characters that are original and the story "Tales of Younger
Earth" are copyrighted (c) 1998 by Douglas Helm & Will Wolfshohl.

This fanfic and hundreds of other Sailor Moon fanfics reside in "Tuxedo"
Will's SM Fanfics Archive at http://log.on.ca/users/helm/anime/index.htm

Send comments to: Douglas "Candle Light Author" Helm (dhelm@log.on.ca)
or "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl (wwolfshohl@logicon.com)


Chapter 8 - Little Girl Lost

Elder Venus looked around the private dining room of the Royal Family
Suite. Gathered there were all of the Elders excluding Sailor Pluto
along with the Younger Inners and Younger Saturn. She gave her daughter
a reassuring smile and then took on a stern look. "All right, let's make
this quick and get it over with."

"I'll stay here with Their Majesties," Elder Uranus volunteered. Elder
Venus only nodded. They had suspected that would be the case.

"I and Younger Saturn will stay here. Elder Saturn will help Younger
Mars with the protection of Princess Usagi." This got a raised eyebrow
from some. "It appears that they are only after the children. Better to
protect them. Their Majesties have their own defenses as well."

As Younger Jupiter listened, a part of her mind sighed. <I'm so glad
Usagi was with me.> She had missed Usagi. <What would I have done if it
had been Misako who came to me?> A twinge of guilt ran through her as
she remembered lecturing Usagi. <I thought she was trying to talk to me,
trying to get me to forgive her for what she did. Would I have accepted
Misako any differently?> Younger Jupiter didn't know and the voice of
Princess Usagi brought her back to reality.

"I want to help!" Princess Usagi remarked as the other Senshi stared at
her.

"It is the Sailor Senshi's duty to search, Your Highness," Elder Venus
said.

"But I'm a Sailor Senshi!" Usagi insisted. Raising her transformation
broach, she spoke her command words and within a heartbeat, Chibi-Moon
stood in the same place. "I'm Chibi-Moon... A Senshi. I want to help
find my imouto."

<We don't have time for this,> Younger Jupiter thought. "You," Younger
Jupiter said while turning to glare towards Chibi-Moon, "are the Crown
Princess. This is no time to be `playing' Senshi. Your sister is missing
and we don't need you tromping around and taking up valuable resources!"
Chibi-Moon's bottom lip trembled. She looked near the verge of tears.
"Am I making myself perfectly clear?" Younger Jupiter added in a
menacing tone.

"Hai," Chibi-Moon squeaked and, quickly changing back, slipped from the
room.

"Damn," Younger Jupiter muttered but she saw an understanding look on
Younger Mars' face who slipped from the room.

"Now that that's settled. Younger Venus, you and Younger Jupiter start
doing a room-by-room search in the Younger Senshi wing. Elder Mercury
start on the Palace grounds and work your way inside." As the briefing
continued, Younger Jupiter gave a look towards the doorway, towards the
spot where HER imouto had disappeared.

                                  ******

It was sometime later that Neo-Queen Serenity slipped silently out of
the dining room. It had been commandeered by Elder Venus and Younger
Saturn as they coordinated the search for the missing Princess. <I'd
only get in the way,> Serenity thought. <And there's no way that they'd
let me search.> She left the kitchen and entered the living room. <It's
been two hours and nothing. No calls, no reports... Misako...> She felt
a lump rise within her throat and she fought it off.

Gliding over to the couch, she gently placed a hand on Endymion's
shoulder; the eyes that turned to meet hers had a deep worry in them.
"They'll find her," Serenity reassured him gently, but she could see
that nothing she said would bolster him. Silently, he turned his head
and continued to brood.

As she looked around the living room, she saw Elder Uranus looking very
grim and determined. The next thing she saw warmed her heart slightly
letting in a little light into the darkness that had crept in. Younger
Mars was standing still by the bay window holding Usagi in her arms. The
girl seemed to be clinging desperately to the Senshi, even in sleep.

As she approached though, Serenity saw that Usagi wasn't sleeping. She
was just clinging to Younger Mars, probably seeking some semblance of
stability. Walking over, Serenity gently placed a hand on Younger Mars'
shoulder. "Sawa-chan, let me take her," Serenity instructed softly.
Usagi stirred enough to look at her mother somberly but didn't offer any
type of greeting. Younger Mars nodded and delicately reached up to
remove one of Usagi's arms. "Come on," Serenity said softly to her
daughter as she gently took the child in her arms. <Uh, she's heavy.>
She waited until Usagi was properly settled in her arms before asking,
"Do you want to talk?" Usagi made a little noise and increased the
pressure of her hug. Serenity started to walk out of the living room and
towards the girl's bedroom. All the while Younger Mars following behind.

It took a little convincing to reassure Younger Mars that Usagi would be
safe in her own bedroom. Not that Serenity minded the dedication of the
young woman but she wanted to speak with her daughter alone. After
entering the room and closing the door, Serenity gracefully settled onto
Usagi's bed.

She sat there for the longest time remembering holding Usagi in her arms
for the first time. Of seeing her face red, her mouth open, and loud
cries of protest coming from her lungs. <You were so different from
Misako,> Serenity thought. Misako came into the world crying but that
soon faded into a calm and quiet infant. Misako had simply looked around
her new world and marveled, eyes wide and shining. A thought made
Serenity giggle, <You wanted Misako to come and play catch.> Usagi had
been highly disgusted that Misako was being conceited and wouldn't talk
to her.

<Come back, Miko-chan,> Usagi thought sadly. There was no thought of her
being too big, of being grown-up. She just wanted the warmth her mother
was providing and she snuggled a little closer. <I don't want to be in a
world that doesn't have you.>

Serenity took a shuddering breath as she blinked trying to clear the
moisture from them. <Will I ever see anything like that again? Will I
see the two of you laughing together?> She held Usagi close and
sniffled. "Usagi-chan," Serenity said softly, "We'll find your sister."
Gently, she kissed her daughter's head and sighed a little. The whisper
was so faint, that at first Serenity wasn't sure she actually heard it.
Then it got a little louder.

"Gomen nasai, Okaa-san," Usagi said. The voice was small and timid
sounding. "Gomen nasai." Red rimmed and puffy eyes turned up to show
their shimmering blue surfaces. "I shouldn't have left her..." Usagi
admitted softly, "I shouldn't have left Misako all alone."

"Oh Mesume," Serenity replied soothingly while hugging her daughter,
"Don't blame yourself." It sounded ridiculous to Serenity. She had and
still did feel a twinge of anger when she thought of what Usagi had
done. But there was also a deeper feeling, one that pained her and
caused her great shame. It was the sense of relief that it hadn't been
Usagi who was missing. That it was only Misako. That seemed so unnatural
to Serenity, such a foreign and wrong concept, but she felt it none the
less.

"What good am I?" Usagi whispered out once again, voicing her own
thoughts, more to reinforce them than to dispel them. "They don't
consider me a real Sailor Senshi."

"You are the Crown Princess," Younger Jupiter had snapped, "This is no
time to be `playing' Senshi. Your sister is missing and we don't need
you tromping around and taking up valuable resources!"

<She was so mad,> Usagi thought, <I was fighting with Hana over Sakuya.
I left Misako because I was jealous.> The tears started to trickle
slowly down her face once again. "Mom, I want to help. I want to find
Misako..." <To make it up to her.> She knew her parents were angry with
her, especially her mother. <I let you down.> A tiny, half-choked sob
came out. <I've let Misako down...>

"Shhh..." Serenity soothed, "We all want to help, Usagi-chan. Your
father and I can't look either. We are her parents. We are ultimately
responsible for her safety." She gently rubbed Usagi's back while
saying, "Younger Jupiter was right though. If you went to look, we would
have to send Senshi with you. That would slow us down. It's safe here,
Usagi."

"I left her alone before," Usagi remarked, more to herself than
Serenity, "I promised never to leave her but I did. I promised to be a
good onee but I wasn't." Turning, she pressed against Serenity's
shoulder. <No wonder Misako doesn't believe me. I never keep my
promises.>

"Mesume, it will be all right," Serenity said, "Misako will forgive you;
you have nothing to be ashamed about."

Usagi gave a small shudder. "I don't know what to do, Mom!" Tightly she
shut her eyes trying to make the nightmare end. "I don't want Misako
gone. I want her back. I want her to believe me!"

"Believe you?" Serenity asked, unsettled by the shift in Usagi's mood.

Squirming slightly, Usagi slipped from Serenity's lap and paced to the
window. Pressing against it, she looked out into the darkening world.
"I've always left her alone." There was a brief pause and Usagi said, "I
remember... the day we were playing hide-'n'-seek. Misako hid but I
never came to look for her." Her bottom lip trembled and she hiccuped.
<She thought I never loved her. I told her I never wanted her; I told
her I didn't want her around.> Now it was true -- Misako was gone.
Before Serenity could say anything Usagi continued to speak. "I love
her. I want to help Misako," Usagi explained softly again, a dull
throbbing pain seemed to stir within her soul. "No matter what I do,
what I don't do, Misako never seems to understand that I love her."

"What do you mean?" Serenity questioned, an uneasy feeling coming over
her.

"I..." Usagi trailed off and sniffled. <Should I tell Mom? Will she get
mad at Misako?> She didn't want to betray her sister; she didn't want to
have her mother force Misako. "We hardly talk," Usagi explained, her
voice low and throaty, "She asks me to play and I get mad at her. I try
and show her how proud I am. How great I think she is, but Misako never
believes me; she thinks that you're making me go to her practices."

Quietly, Serenity got up. Padding over to stand behind Usagi, she knelt
and asked, "Usagi-chan, why didn't you tell me before?" <Maybe Endymion
was right.>

"I was scared," Usagi said softly, a nervous tone sliding into her still
low and throaty voice, "I thought you'd punish Misako." Serenity was
silent, unsure of how to respond. "I wanted to do like Sawa did. I
wanted to prove that I could handle it. I wanted to prove that I
wouldn't tattle on Misako because she didn't believe me." <How many
times did Sakuya tell me that if I wasn't nice it would come back to
haunt me?> A sad smile flitted across Usagi's face. <I never believed
her. I never thought that Sakuya was right. But she was...> Serenity's
voice drew her out of her thoughts.

"And this afternoon?" Serenity questioned.

Slowly, reluctantly, Usagi turned. "I... I saw Hana leaving Sakuya's. I
pushed my books at Misako and told her to hold them." Even in the gloom,
Serenity could make out the blush that came onto her daughter's face. "I
got mad, at Sakuya... at Hana." <I'm going to have to apologize to her,>
Usagi thought and she wasn't looking forward to that.

"I don't understand, Usagi. What does this have to do with Misako?"

"I love her, Mom. I try to be a great onee like you were. I try really
hard but everything I do makes Misako hate me. She doesn't want to talk
to me. She doesn't want me around her friends anymore." Usagi shook her
head in frustration. "I don't know!" she shouted, "She's gone. I was
mean to her and she's gone and now... and now... I've gotten what I
wanted." Serenity blinked, a horrified look coming over her face. "When
I was younger, I told Misako that I wanted her gone. I told you to get
rid of her..." Usagi paused, her face contorting with the effort to hold
her emotions in, "Now she's gone!" It was a long wail, its tone rising
from the very depths of Usagi's soul. It carried with it grief, sorrow,
and shame.

It was all too much. Usagi gave a shuddering sob and started to crumple.
Reaching out, Serenity drew her daughter into a warm embrace. "Oh
Usagi," Serenity said softly as the girl pressed her face against
Serenity, "It'll be okay. We'll get Misako back. I promise." But
somewhere within Serenity's mind, she thought, <But what if we don't?
And was Endymion right?>

                                 ******

It was sometime later when Serenity came out of Usagi's room. She gave
Elder Mercury a small smile and waved her over. "Is something wrong?"
Elder Mercury asked then paused noting the exhaustion in the eyes of her
oldest friend, "Serenity-chan, I think you need some sleep."

Serenity snorted slightly and said, "If you didn't have any luck getting
Endymion to sleep, I don't think you'll have any better luck with me,
Ami-chan."

"All right, Your Majesty, but I would like you to go and lie down for a
little while. Or at least go and have something to eat." Serenity sighed
and was about to protest when Elder Mercury added, "You have a choice.
As your doctor and Minister of Health, Science, and Education, I am
telling you: either go lie down now or go have something to eat, or I
will make the choice for you."

"All right, all right," Serenity agreed while lifting her hands in
submission, "I'll do it after I see that Usagi's asleep." Elder Mercury
gave her a quizzical look. "She needs rest too; Usagi's beating herself
up over this. I think if she keeps on like this, she'll have a nervous
breakdown or something."

Activating her computer, Elder Mercury pointed it towards Usagi's room
and started scanning. After a few moments, Elder Mercury nodded. "Hai,
Usagi is showing signs of severe stress and physical exhaustion." She
was about to launch into a more detailed explanation then paused. "Your
Majesty, I'll be right back. I'll get Princess Usagi a drink that has a
sedative in it. You can stay with her until she's asleep, which won't
take long." She then fixed her sovereign with an icy stare, "Then you
WILL be taking my advice."

"Hai, Mizuno-sensei," Serenity agreed, "Help yourself to what you need.
I'll wait here for you." Elder Mercury deciding, did one more quick scan
and then headed down the hallway. "You know," Serenity remarked to
Younger Mars, "For how quiet she was as a teenager... she sure has
become pushy." Younger Mars smirked slightly and barely managed to hold
in the giggle that wanted to escape.

                                 ******

Usagi never looked up when the door opened. Her thoughts were too
focused on what she had done. <Usagi would never leave me. Even when her
life was in danger.> That hurt Usagi as she thought about it. It hurt
her because she hadn't been willing to make even the smallest of
sacrifices for her imouto.

"Usagi-chan," Serenity said softly while sitting on the edge of the bed,
"Go get ready for bed."

"Iie, Mom, I want to stay up," Usagi argued while looking stubbornly
towards her mother. "I have to be ready when they find Misako..."
Usagi's voice lowered as she whispered, "If they find her."

Giving her daughter a one armed hug, Serenity stated, "They will find
Misako, Usagi. It's very late though. If you really do want to stay up,
then change into some pajamas." Usagi seemed reluctant but, after a
moment, complied.

Quickly getting her pajamas, Usagi slipped into the bathroom. A short
time later, she came out, face freshly washed and dressed in her pajamas
with a rabbit head on the pocket. She hopped onto her bed and settled
herself against Serenity who wrapped an arm around the girl. "Here, I
brought you some milk."

Usagi wasn't really thirsty but she accepted the glass. <I know you're
worried, Mom. I put you through this. I always hurt you somehow. First,
by making Dad break up with you. And the Black Moon War...> She felt a
lump raise in her throat. Quickly drinking some of the milk, she
suppressed the sniffle. "Do you think they'll find her, Mom?"

"Hai, the Senshi have always come through for me. They've always come
through for you," Serenity reminded her and gently released one of
Usagi's odangos. The younger girl drank some more of the milk, her
eyelids fluttering as she tried to keep them open. "You've always been a
great onee," Serenity said, as if somehow reading Usagi's fears.

"I-I just try to be like you. Like Onee-san was but..." she trailed off
while shaking her head. "I don't know why she hates me doing things for
her." She felt tears coming again. Quickly, she downed the last of the
milk.

"I know, sweetheart," Serenity replied softly as she undid the other
odango. "You're a great onee. Better than I was." Usagi's eyelids
fluttered again before they slowly closed. The young girl burbled
something before slumping against Serenity. <Oh Mesume, life has never
been easy for you,> Serenity thought, <You try so hard to be grown-up,
but to me you'll always be my little girl. The little girl I so
desperately waited for all those long dark years.>

Gently sliding the glass from her daughter's hand, she placed it on the
nightstand. Then even more gently, she picked Usagi up. <This isn't as
easy as when you were little,> Serenity thought as she struggled to pull
the sheets down. Eventually though, she got them down and she brushed
some hair out of Usagi's face. <Mesume, I hope things will turn out all
right.> She then settled Usagi onto the bed and, drawing the sheets and
covers up, tucked her in. <I remember doing this to you when you were
little... or seeing Sakuya do it.>

But no matter how she tried, Serenity could not suppress the little
sniffle that came when her mind asked, <But will I ever get the chance
to tuck Misako in again?> At that moment, Serenity didn't think so.

                                 ******

She had to get away, had to stay away! Those were the thoughts running
through Misako's mind as she fled down the hallway, her sister's words
reverberating in her mind. "Whiny brat," that's what Usagi had said.

<Where am I gonna go?> Misako thought as she angrily brushed the tears
from her face. <Mommy doesn't love me, 'Sa... Usagi doesn't love me.>
She gave a little screech as she ran around the corner and skidded down
a small flight of stairs. <Mommy and Usagi are makin' Daddy hate me.>
She felt the rage flare once again. It was hot, red, and full of
vengeance.

"I'll show everybody!" Misako declared to the empty basement corridor.
Her little feet pounded off of the flooring, echoing in the dimly lit
hallway. <I'm not gonna go home.> That would show her mother and sister.
If they didn't want her, then she wouldn't stay. <But 'Sagi was happy to
see me when she got back,> Misako thought. "Iie!" Misako yelled,
increasing her pace, trying to flee from the thought, "Iie! Usagi was
happy 'cause she was gonna be mean. Usagi's always being mean!!!"

She ran then, blindly, not caring where she was going. The only thing
that mattered was to put as much distance as possible between herself
and the home she had no wish to return to. Finally though, she had to
stop. Her little lungs were sore from lack of air. Her heart was racing,
both from her exertion and her anger.

As she came to a stop, she nearly doubled over. She leaned heavily
against the wall and slid down. Her eyes red and puffy, the tears having
gone and none coming to relieve her frustration or the hurt she felt.
<But Daddy'll miss me,> Misako thought sadly as she struggled to get her
breathing under control. <And Mommy in the past came to look for us when
we went out to play Senshi.> She shied away from the memory but it was
too late.

Misako whimpered as the events of that terrifying day played out in her
mind. She clenched her eyes shut, trying to force the memory away but it
didn't end until the blackness took her. Unconsciously, she clutched her
chest and gave a little moan of fear and remembered pain. The little
girl's fear only intensified as she opened her eyes. The bottom of the
stairwell she was in was dark and dusty. The crystal walls and floor
were cold and slightly damp. A deep, throbbing caused the barest of
vibrations. An almost inaudible hum came to her ears. And with it
another memory.

"Iie," Misako said, curling up into a ball. "Not this one," she pleaded
softly but it came, unbidden to her mind. Thick acrid smoke seemed to
fill the passageway. The deafening roar of noise, of people shouting,
and the dull roars of distant explosions filled the air. The ground
seemed to heave, even this far under the Earth. The sense of terror and
confusion filled Misako once again, and she was thrust backwards, down
the long forgotten path of the Black Moon Family War.

After a moment though, the memory passed, but Misako huddled, trembling,
a great sense of confusion upon her. <I cared about Mommy. I cared about
'Sagi,> Misako thought, <I was worried about them. I missed them both
lots.> But how could she? Why would she? After another moment or so,
Misako straightened. She rubbed her eyes, trying to stop the itching but
only managed to irritate them further. "Ow..." she whimpered.

<I was baka then,> Misako reasoned, <Usagi left 'cause she hated me.
Mommy went away 'cause she didn't love me. But Daddy...> Misako
sniffled. The only two that really cared about her were Kimeko and her
father. Endymion had been hurt, so only Kimeko was there during the long
and lonely nights. The nights of fear and terror.

It took Misako another minute or so to bring herself under some
semblance of control. As she gazed around the near total darkness, she
started to remember this. The memories were fuzzy but as time passed,
they cleared. She was at one of the entrances to the underground bunkers
in the Crystal Palace. Nestled deep within the Earth, they were
protected by magic and solid rock.

Pushing herself up, Misako walked to the heavy door. The door that had
stood between her and the Black Moon Family. The heavy door that led
down to a safe refuge from the enemy. Maybe she hadn't run blindly here.
Maybe she had come here because there was a NEW enemy, a vastly more
dangerous one as well.

<'Sagi was happy to see me in the past. She cried when I went home,>
Misako thought. Then something deep within her heart welled up, forcing
her to really look at it, <She was nice 'cause Mommy was there and
'cause Sobo would have gotten mad. Mommy in the past was okay but she
still mean, not like Daddy.> It took some effort but her initial anger
was rekindled. It was now not a burning hot rage but a smoldering,
growing darkness that planned to consume every false memory of kindness
Misako had about her mother or sister. The little girl wanted it that
way.

                                 ******

She gave a whimper of fear as a skittering of tiny clawed feet ran
through the darkness. Quickly she swung the flashlight she had found
inside the door towards the noise but nothing was there. <Maybe I should
go home...> Misako thought as she heard the clawed feet again. <Mommy
hates me,> she thought again, <If I go back, she'll be mad. Mad that I
came back.> That was the thought that kept her going. <But Daddy'll miss
me.> It didn't matter. Her heart wouldn't allow her to forget what Usagi
had always said or done. Her mother made Usagi do those nice things,
made Usagi come to her gymnastics practices, made Usagi play with her.
<Everybody thinks I'm just a little kid. I'm a big girl. Smarter than
Usagi!>

The passageway had that particular odor. The air was stale, having very
little circulation. It also held the smell of decay and creature waste.
The deeper she moved into the labyrinth of halls and rooms, the more
Misako remembered about those long and terrible days. After a few
moments, she came into a large room. She moved to turn the light switch
on but gave a yelp instead. A furry body had brushed against her
fingers.

"I gotta see," Misako muttered. <This baka flashlight isn't bright
enough.> A slow smile crept over her face, <It's just like Usagi.> She
had a moment of guilt but fought it off, <I don't care. Usagi said I was
a whiny brat. She's the brat.> Nervously, she moved her hand towards the
wall. "Ew," Misako said while wrinkling her nose. A slimy, damp feeling
met her fingers. With much effort, Misako finally found the switch and
activated it.

The room came alive, its barren interior bathed in a hash white light.
The dust lay thickly on the ground, and furry bodies ran for the
shadows. As Misako looked about what was once a large eating area,
memories sped to her mind.

Involuntarily, she gripped the sides of her head as the imagined noise
of detonations came to her. "Kim'ko..." she breathed out. In her mind's
eye, she could see the room shake, the dust fall. <I worried about
'Sag... Usagi,> Misako dimly thought as she tried to clear her mind of
the unwanted memory. <I was little then. I was baka like Usagi.>

Angrily Misako flipped the light switch off crushing a spider in the
process. She stalked away from the room. A room that reminded her of
caring for her sister. "Baka Odango Atama," Misako muttered, "Why do I
want her to love me?!" She didn't know, but it felt good and right, and
Misako hated it. "Usagi hates me." She continued on her blind march
while muttering darkly to herself. Then she came to a narrow corridor
that had three rooms. <Mommy wasn't ever around. Even Daddy came to see
me, even if he was a ghost.> Well that's what Kimeko had told her at the
time.

Misako stopped, a slow smile spread across her face. <I stayed there,>
Misako thought, <Me and Kimeko had a lot of fun.> Slowly she walked down
the hall and into the room at the end. Her movement caused the dust to
swirl up and she sneezed several times. <I can stay here,> Misako
reasoned, <Kimeko said we'd be safe here.> So if the enemy couldn't get
to her here, then it was a good place to hide from the new enemy.

Then an immediate concern came to her mind. <Gotta find that bathroom,>
Misako thought. "This'll show, baka Usagi. If she wants me gone, then
I'll just stay away!" Then a sad expression came across her face as she
left the room. <I shouldn'ta left Kaizoku-san with that big meanie.
She'll probably pull out his other eye.>

                                 ******

Usagi stirred slightly; the night was well advanced. She gave a start as
she saw a shadow. "Mom?" she asked, her mind still lethargic from sleep.

"Iie," came the soft voice of Younger Mars. The young woman moved away
from her position. Coming over to the bed, she sat down. "It's late,
Usagi-chan, go back to sleep."

"Misako?" Usagi asked, fear entering her voice. <If they found her, they
would've told me.> She glanced over to the clock. <She's been gone over
seven hours. Where are you, Imouto?!?> The silence that followed her
question seemed to drag on. "They haven't found her yet, ne Sawa-chan?"
Usagi stuttered out. Her bottom lip trembling, as her eyes moistened.

"Don't cry," Younger Mars replied, gently reaching out to brush Usagi's
cheek, "Younger Jupiter is looking for your sister and I know she won't
give up. None of the Senshi will." As Usagi hugged her, Younger Mars
hugged her back.

"I don't remember going to bed," Usagi remarked softly. <How could I
sleep? My imouto is missing.>

"You fell asleep so Her Majesty tucked you in, Usagi-chan," Younger Mars
answered while giving Usagi's arm a reassuring squeeze. "You were tired,
Usagi-chan; you might not think you need sleep but your body has its own
agenda." She didn't notice the embarrassed look that came onto Usagi's
face at that moment. "Usagi-chan, would you do something... for me?"

"Nani?" Usagi questioned, turning her face to look at the young woman.

"Go and talk to your father," Younger Mars suggested, "He's worried
about Misako. I think it will do both of you some good."

Reluctantly, Usagi nodded. She didn't want to face her father. She was
the one that drove his little girl away. "Where is he?"

"Misako's room," Younger Mars answered.

Gathering her courage, Usagi headed for the door. Pausing, she turned to
Younger Mars and said, "Arigato, Sawa-chan." Turning, she went out into
the hall and down to her sister's room; the door was slightly ajar and
Usagi could see her father sitting motionless on Misako's bed. A teddy
bear in his hands.

"Dad?" Usagi asked. Pushing the door open a little further, she entered
the room. Endymion never looked up, never gave any indication that he
had even heard Usagi. <I've done this to him. I should have been with
Misako. I should have stayed with her.> She sniffled slightly. <Instead,
I was just showing Sakuya how irresponsible I am. What kind of onee am
I?>

Gently closing the door with her foot, Usagi padded over to her father.
Standing before him, she felt nervous. "Otou-san?" Usagi prompted
softly. Reaching out to touch his shoulder, she said, "Gomen nasai."

"It's all right, Usagi-chan," Endymion whispered, "Misako will come
back. There was nothing you could have done; nothing anyone could have
done."

"Iie," Usagi whispered, "I could have stayed with Misako. I could have
protected her." <That's what onee's should do.>

"Then you would be gone too," Endymion pointed out, now lifting a
tear-streaked face, "You would be gone and so would Misako. I wouldn't
want that; your mother wouldn't want that. Neither should you."

"But I'm always hurting her!" Usagi cried, finally unable to hold in her
emotions, "I hurt her in the past. I hurt her now. I could have stopped
her then." As Endymion drew her into a hug, she cried out, "I could have
stayed with her." <She's probably scared right now,> Usagi sadly
thought, <She's probably wondering why her sister the Senshi didn't help
her.> "But in the past, I could help her. Now everything I do to help
her only hurts Misako," she whispered out.

"Usagi, you can't always blame yourself. There are things that happen
that none of us could have seen," Endymion explained, "Or sometimes we
just don't want to see them because it would hurt too much." Pushing her
away a little, he brushed her freshly tear-stained cheek and said,
"Usagi-chan, I love you. I love Misako too. But that doesn't mean that I
would want to see you hurt. I'm worried about Misako, but I wouldn't
want you to get hurt."

Giving a choking sob, Usagi hugged her father tightly. <They took me.
They kidnapped me and I was scared.> Usagi thought, <Misako's younger
than I am... She could be really scared, or hurt or...> The last thought
was too painful and she shied away from it. <Please Imouto, come back!>

                                 ******

Misako gave a cry of both frustration and boredom. Irritatedly, she
threw the blanket she had been endeavoring to untangle across the small
and dusty room. <I wish Onee were here,> Misako absently thought. Then
she blinked. "Nani?" she questioned the room, "Why would I want that
baka here?" To help her, of course, was the obvious reason. "I'm not a
baby!" she told herself forcefully, "I don't care what Usagi or Mommy
says." Stalking over to the blanket, she began again with new energy.

After another ten minutes and the use of language that would likely have
resulted in her sitting in the corner most of the day, Misako finally
managed to get the blanket the way SHE wanted it. <See, I can make my
own bed. I don't need Usagi's help.> Although the bed before her didn't
look anything like her bed. There were no kawaii sheets. Instead, just a
plain old gray striped cot that was sagging at one end. The pillow had
no pillowcase and it smelled.

That smell brought another memory back and Misako once again fought what
she wanted to deny. <Usagi was mad when I wet the bed.> But her heart
said that was wrong. <Onee helped me,> Misako's heart corrected, <She
helped me and even told me that she wet the bed too.> "Iie!" Misako
shouted and beat against the cot, "Iie!" Usagi hated her. There was no
way her sister would have helped her. There was no way Usagi would be so
loving. <I don't care what Usagi did. Mommy made her do it. Mommy made
Usagi love me just like she's tryin' to make Daddy hate me.>

Confused by her emotions and the war that had continued to rage within
her, Misako snatched up the blanket along with the flashlight and the
other few trinkets she had found and fled out of the room down the dark
passageway. As she ran, her pounding feet echoed dully through the
hallway, scattering the creatures that inhabited this dark place.

<Usagi came to play with me,> Misako thought, <Why doesn't she now?> She
stopped as her feet ran into a standing pool of water. Its surface
coated with a thick covering of sludge. "Iie, she only came to show off.
She came to steal my friends," Misako told herself, her voice sounding
throaty now as the rage and anger took over. "Daddy!" she cried as
something slithered against her leg. She continued to run, the stagnant
water flying up spattering against her school uniform. <Usagi and Mommy
don't want Daddy to love me. Usagi's keepin' Daddy away!> Misako
bitterly thought. But was that true? Didn't Usagi deserve some of her
father's time? Didn't Usagi say she was trying to help? "Go away! Leave
me alone!" she cried clutching her head. <I don't want to 'member! I ran
away.>

The little girl gave a screech of surprise as she tripped. The impact as
she hit the floor sent spouts of dirty water up into the air. Her
breathing temporarily stopped as the air was forced from her lungs.
Tears of pain came to her eyes as something sharp bit into her flesh.
"Daddy! Why do they want to keep Daddy from me?" Misako questioned the
surrounding darkness as she pushed herself up, and continued to hobble.
A hot, sticky trickle crept down her leg. <Onee would help me,> Misako
thought as she came to a dry area, beyond the water and sank to the
floor, <Like the time I skinned my knee.> She tried to remember that,
how Usagi had been concerned but the only thing that stood out was
Usagi's anger. Anger at having her play interrupted. Anger at not being
listened to. <Usagi's always bossy,> Misako thought.

The pain now was deep and throbbing. It almost matched the pain in
Misako's heart. Cradling her leg the best she could, Misako cried out
for her father, for Kimeko, her older sister. For anyone that would
really love her. But that was when the flashlight's light died plunging
the little girl's world into darkness. It was a dark world of
bitterness, fear, confusion, and things that could hurt her. Things like
Usagi.

                                 ******

The long corridor was empty this time of night. Its thick red carpets
were highlighted by finely crafted lighting fixtures, spaced every
twenty feet on both sides of the corridor. Somewhere in the distance, a
grandfather clock struck the hour of three.

Younger Venus stared morosely at the floor. She could feel the hard
surface of the wall on her back as she leaned heavily against it. <Where
is she?> Younger Venus thought, <It's been so long...> She felt a hand
gently squeeze her shoulder and she looked up.

"Is there any place that we're missing, Venus?" Younger Jupiter asked
softly.

"I don't know," Younger Venus said softly while shaking her head, "It's
three in the morning. I don't know where she would go." Looking deep
into Younger Jupiter's eyes, she said, "Jupiter, why do you think that
Misako ran away?" <I can't see her doing that.>

"Because of what Princess Usagi said," Younger Jupiter answered stiffly.
<I can't believe she left her sister alone! Never mind calling her what
she did,> Younger Jupiter fumed, <Misako is Usagi's imouto. Yes, I'm
happy that Usagi was with me but I will not condone her actions!> It had
been extra galling the way Sakuya had found out about Usagi's actions.
Usagi almost confessed, as if trying to win her over. That irritated
Sakuya even more. She sighed then. "Also the security around that area
of the Palace is tight." <And I know how Misako feels,> Younger Jupiter
thought. "Now... if you were a little girl, where would you go to be
safe? Where would you go so you could hide and still be safe?"

Younger Venus looked thoughtful for a moment or so and then she grinned.
"I have it!" Turning, she bolted down the hallway, "Come on! If Misako
is where I think she is, then who knows what she's gotten herself into."
Younger Jupiter never questioned. She simply followed.

                                 ******

Clattering down the last flight of stairs, Younger Venus walked over to
the heavy door and looked at it. "I don't think Misako could move that."

Younger Jupiter gave a snort of disbelief, "Never underestimate what a
little kid can do. Usagi lifted a sewer grate once."

"She had Luna-P, ne?" Younger Venus questioned as she cautiously opened
the door.

"Iie," Younger Jupiter replied softly as she moved to one side, "Just a
rock, three sturdy branches, and the sheer stubbornness of a Tsukino."
She prepared an attack but the hallway beyond the door was dark and
appeared to be empty. Slowly they advanced.

"Can't see a bloody thing," Younger Venus muttered.

"Wait," Younger Jupiter responded and halted her forward advancement.
Cupping her hands, she concentrated. Several seconds passed before a
tiny ball of blue-white light formed between her cupped palms. "How's
that?" she questioned, her voice showing a slight amount of strain.

"Better, at least now..." she trailed off and gave a screech as a large
rat lumbered towards them. "VENUS LOVING GRIP!" she shouted as her
attack went out. A giant glowing hand of bright orange light flew out.
It encircled the rat and crushed it in one swift motion.

"Oh Kami-sama!" Younger Jupiter muttered and let the light die. They
stood there in the darkness listening. "You know, Venus," Jupiter
growled with suppressed irritation, "That was not only NOT efficient but
the most brutal way of killing anything I've ever seen!"

Younger Venus gave a sheepish giggle, "Gomen, Jupiter. Um... could you
do that light thing again?"

Younger Jupiter muttered darkly for a few seconds but soon the light
reappeared. They carefully skirted the remains of the rat and continued
down the hallway. When they came to the first intersection, Younger
Venus halted. "I don't think she's here. If that rat was any indication,
I don't think Misako would stay here."

"As far as Misako knows, those are just overgrown versions of her pet
mice," Younger Jupiter whispered out, "Besides, what are you looking for
that would indicate whether Misako would or wouldn't be here?" She
grimaced slightly. <I hope this doesn't take long. This is starting to
sting.>

Younger Venus turned as if to head back the way they came when something
glinted. She froze in place, trying to judge what it was. After a
moment, she turned back and crouched. She waved Younger Jupiter down as
well. "Footprints... did you know they were here?" Younger Jupiter made
a non-committal noise. She studied them. "Well they could be Misako's."
<It had to be the flooring reflecting the light,> Younger Venus thought,
<It's a good thing it's dusty down here or we'd likely have gone back.>

"And headed the way we were," Younger Jupiter noted after some careful
thought.

"Jupiter, should we call the others or keep looking?" Younger Venus
asked. Younger Jupiter shrugged. "You don't know?!?"

"It's up to you, Venus. Princess Misako is your charge. You are also my
superior," Younger Jupiter explained.

"But if we go in there, they might hurt her," Younger Venus argued.

"Sometimes two are better at something than ten. If a squad of Senshi go
charging in there, they might harm Misako and then flee. On the other
hand, indications are that Misako just ran away." Younger Jupiter looked
towards the young woman and gave her a little smile. "I know you'll make
the right decision."

"Okay, then we go in," Younger Venus ordered, "But call for backup."
Younger Jupiter nodded and allowed the light to wink out. "Hey!" Younger
Venus protested.

"That was hurting. Besides, there's a flashlight by the door."

"And why didn't you tell me that?" Younger Venus demanded, glaring
through the darkness at her unseen companion.

"Ko-chan, you're leading. If I had to do your looking while you were out
in front, you'd likely get plastered before I could give you warning."
Younger Jupiter then smirked when Younger Venus grumbled something
unlady-like about what Younger Jupiter could do with her wisdom.

                                 ******

She shuddered in her sleep. The coldness was soaking into her bones and
dull pain was throbbing in her leg. Her little heart felt empty and
hollow. She wanted to go home, wanted her father to tuck her in, wanted
to feel his warm arms around her. But she couldn't. Home was where her
mother was; home was where her sister was. Home was where they didn't
want her.

It was a new noise that drew her from sleep. She kept her eyes shut,
straining her ears to listen. <'Sagi came to get me,> Misako thought, a
warmth filling her heart, <She cares about me!> But as the fog of sleep
slowly slipped away, Misako came to another realization. <Usagi is
coming to get me so Mommy can be mean. So she can make fun of me.> Usagi
wouldn't care. She was probably asleep. Her mother was probably asleep
too.

She clamped down on the whimper of fear as something furry ran across
her leg. <I have to go! I can't let them find me.> But she was stiff and
sore and so very tired. So Misako huddled in the darkness, hoping that
the voices calling out for her wouldn't find her.

Time seemed to pass slowly. <Please go away. I'm hiding. Mommy's never
good at hide-'n'-seek, just like baka Usagi.> That was her one
advantage, she had to hide. <But Daddy'll find me, then me and him can
run away together.>

"MI-SA-KO!!!!" came the voice. It was closer now.

<Kimeko?> Misako thought, <Kimeko came.> But did she want to be found?
She gave a little cry as a tiny claw rested against her wound. There was
silence then. It seemed to drag on. <I don't want to stay here,> Misako
thought, <I can stay with Kimeko. She'll keep me safe.>

"MI-SA-KO!!!!" came the voice again. It sounded desperate, fearful.

"IIE!!!" Misako cried, bolting up and scrambling backwards as something
furry ran across her head. Tears of fear came then, washing away some of
the grime and dirt but none of the pain. "DADDY!" Misako cried, her
heart pounding against her chest. <Why didn't you come and look for me?
Why didn't you come and help me?> The answer was obvious -- her mother
was stopping him.

The pounding of feet and a bright light from behind pierced the darkness
illuminating three rats close to Misako. She gave another cry,
scrambling crab-like into the filthy water. "GET AWAY!!!" she screamed
to the rats but they weren't scared. Not like the others. Their black
eyes shone in the light, glinting evilly. <'Sagi would help me,> Misako
thought as she sat frozen. "Iie, she'd laugh and say I asked for this!"
Misako cried out.

"Kami-sama, what in the name of Serenity are you doing here?!" Kimeko
demanded as she sloshed through the water. The little girl sat
transfixed, not moving. "Misako?" Not minding the water, she knelt
beside the little girl and gently turned the little girl's head.
"Miko-chan?"

"Onee..." Misako finally sobbed. Turning and lunging, she clung
desperately to Kimeko's neck. "Make them go away!" Misako pleaded, "Make
Usagi go away!"

"The others should be here soon," Younger Jupiter remarked.

Younger Venus walked back through the water, away from the rats.
"Misako, we have to go home."

"Iie!" Misako protested, "I don't want to go. I don't want to stay
there. Nobody loves me there... except Daddy." She looked pleadingly
towards Kimeko. "You love me, so you won't take me home!" Younger Venus
was unsure of how to answer but Younger Jupiter had a more immediate
concern.

"Venus, wrap up her leg. She's bleeding or has been," Younger Jupiter
ordered. "Better not worry about trying to clean it. Elder Mercury can
handle that when we get back."

"But I don't want to go!" Misako howled in protest. She squirmed and
barely managed to get away from Younger Venus. "I knew it, Usagi's
making you be mean too!" Misako reasoned as she backed away, "I thought
you'd help me! I thought you loved me!" She brushed the tears away from
her eyes angrily. <Please Kimeko... I don't have anybody else but you
and Daddy.>

Younger Jupiter thinned her lips. She was tired, irritated at Usagi, and
not happy about the smells assaulting her nose. For the briefest of
moments, she thought of just picking Misako up and carrying her bodily
whether she wanted to come or not. <Iie,> Younger Jupiter thought, <I
should know what she's feeling. I should know how she feels.>

"I promise, Miko-chan," Younger Venus stated, "I love you. I want to
help you." Shifting back into Kimeko, she crouched and held out her
hand. "Miko-chan, everybody was looking for you. Everybody thought that
you were really hurt."

"Kimeko-oneechan, can I come live with you? Daddy can come and visit
me," Misako asked. "I'll go home with you. Mommy doesn't want me home,"
Misako said softly.

"Iie, gomen, Miko-chan. You can come and spend the night some time but
your parents won't let you live with me." <I love Misako but I'm not
ready for that type of responsibility.> "Misako... your mother does want
you home. She wants you to be safe and happy," Kimeko explained,
"Please, Misako, come back with me." The little girl looked resistant to
the idea. Saying a silently prayer, Kimeko said, "Misako, you made your
Daddy cry."

"Na-Nani?" Misako questioned meekly.

"He misses his little girl a lot," Kimeko added, inching closer, "Even
Usagi cried." Kimeko mentally kicked herself for saying the last part.
"Your Daddy loves you very much. If you run away from him, then he'll be
really sad."

"I..." Misako sniffled, gave a little sob and said softly, "I can't."
She closed her eyes and shook her head, <Gomen nasai, Daddy.> That was
the moment that Kimeko moved. She encircled the little girl with her
arms and held her close. "Let me go!" Misako cried, beating against
Kimeko's shoulder, "I don't want to go home!" She repeated that over and
over until her voice was garbled by crying, her voice thick and forlorn.
Eventually though, she simply laid her head against Kimeko's shoulder
and cried. She wanted to make her father happy, but she didn't want to
go home.

Firmly but gently holding the little girl, Kimeko blinked trying to
clear her own eyes of tears. As she turned, she saw a hidden look of
pride flit through Younger Jupiter's eyes; and that meant a lot to
Kimeko. Slowly, wearily, the three headed for home. Each one's heart
laden with their own pain. And Misako's laced with confusion. Unsure of
what emotions she should feel.

They encountered the other Senshi just as they were coming up to the
first intersection before the door leading out. "She's safe?" Elder
Venus questioned, "And what in Serenity's name happened to that rat?!?"

"Um... I sorta overreacted, Mo... Commander," Kimeko said, "I think
she's okay. Filthy, hungry, and some scrapes but..."

"We didn't see any signs that others were involved, Commander," Younger
Jupiter stated, "It appears that Misako took off."

"Nani?!?" Younger Mercury and Younger Uranus questioned.

"She ran away," Kimeko clarified.

"Oh just bloody fabulous!" Younger Uranus snarled, "I spend the better
part of a night tromping around looking for..." she paused, and ground
out, "Princess Misako. And the kid just ran away!" Giving a disgusted
snort, she turned and walked back up the hallway.

"If she was my kid..." Younger Mercury growled out. <Baka brat.> She
didn't depart but she continued to hostilely glare towards Misako.

"YOUNGER URANUS!" Elder Venus barked, "You and Younger Mercury give this
place a once over. Once you're done, you're to seal that door." Younger
Uranus stopped, sighed, and then came back looking very unhappy about
having to do more work because of Misako. "Come on then, let's get
Princess Misako back. The rest of you take one more look around the
Palace and then you can go home," Elder Venus ordered. <Oh boy, this
isn't going to go over well. I can just tell.>

End of Chapter 8

Coming next week in Chapter 9 - The Rift

Doug

"It is the major decisions that change the course of our future but it 
is the minor decisions that shape the being who we are."

"I write in broad tapestries, interweaving characters lives leaving
 the little details to the reader unless the detials are important."
	- Anne McCaffrey
	  From the book "Get off the Unicorn"

"I am Sailor Chibi-Earth! And I will sit you in the corner!"
	- Tsukino Misako, ToYV#6

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