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 19 - Serendipity

December the third was a Wednesday. As such, Tsukino Misako had
gymnastics practice. Chibi-Usa along with her friend, Momoko, watched
her sister's graceful form. Smiling, Chibi-Usa waved and Misako seeing
her, waved back. Momoko shook her head slightly and snorted in disgust.

"Nani?" Chibi-Usa asked.

"You're such a pushover," Momoko replied.

"What's that supposed to mean, Momo-chan?" Chibi-Usa demanded, "I just
waved to Misako. I wanted her to know I was watching."

"Chibi-Usa-chan, you let your onee walk all over you. She asked if you
were coming to her practice and you said hai."

"So?" Chibi-Usa questioned, "I want to watch Misako." <She's sugoi. I
wish I could do stuff like that.>

Momoko scowled. "We're all ready to play when your onee asked if you
were coming. Now, we're stuck here watching her," Momoko griped. Seeing
the hurt look Chibi-Usa was giving her, Momoko amended, "Chibi-Usa-chan,
I think it's pretty cool that Misako can do what she does but we were
gonna play today after school. You promised." She looked towards Misako
for a moment before adding, "Every time Misako snaps her fingers, you
turn to Jell-O."

Chibi-Usa bristled for a moment and then sighed. "Gomen Momo-chan, we
can leave if you want." When Momoko shook her head, Chibi-Usa grinned,
"Arigato."

"It isn't like I mind watching her," Momoko pointed out, "I just don't
like you doin' everything Misako says."

Chibi-Usa didn't offer any response, more because there was no way of
explaining her behavior around Misako to Momoko than anything else. <I
just care about her,> Chibi-Usa thought, <I'm kinda scared 'cause Misako
doesn't seem to want to play as much.> Misako would still play but
Chibi-Usa was finding she had to ask Misako instead of Misako suggesting
that they play.

                                 ******

Chibi-Usa was entering her and Misako's bedroom a little after supper on
Thursday when she gave a gasp of surprise. Her sister was packing a
suitcase. <IIE!!!> Running over to her sister, Chibi-Usa asked with
worry, "Onee-chan, what are ya doing?!?"

"I'm packing for my trip, Imouto," Misako responded, "I leave tomorrow
after school."

"Nani?!" Chibi-Usa demanded, "What trip?" Her eyes had started to mist
over and she pleaded, "Please Onee-chan, don't go home." <What did I
do?>

"Go home?" Misako questioned and then shook her head, "Iie, I have a
gymnastics meet outside Tokyo on Saturday. The team's leaving tomorrow
after school to catch the train." She placed the last few items into the
small suitcase and then closed the lid. "I won't be back until sometime
late on Sunday."

"Why didn't you tell me, Onee-chan?" Chibi-Usa questioned with a hurt
look, "I would've liked to have gone." Misako shook her head slowly and
Chibi-Usa asked, "Why not?"

"Because, Chibi-Usa, you couldn't have come with me. It's for the team
only," Misako explained, "I need to think about the meet and not worry
about you." Chibi-Usa's face crumpled and she appeared on the verge of
crying. <I didn't mean it like that. Baka Misako,> Misako thought.
Reaching out, she hugged Chibi-Usa and said softly, "Imouto, I'd love
for you to come but there just isn't any way you could. I'd worry about
you and I will worry about you."

Chibi-Usa gave a soft smile. "Arigato." When her sister let her go,
Chibi-Usa walked over to her futon and sat down. Retrieving one of her
bunnies, she hugged it close while asking, "Onee-chan, why didn't you
tell me that we had an imouto?" Misako jerked as if she had been struck.
"Diana said you sounded real worried about OUR imouto."

<What did I say? When did I say anything about an imouto?> Misako
wondered, <Oh yeah... It could be a boy... I wouldn't mind having an
otouto but I'd really like it to be a girl. So I can have a real
imouto.> Walking over to her sister, Misako sat down on her futon and
asked, "Have you told Mom about this?" Chibi-Usa shook her head. "Good,
don't."

"I wouldn't," Chibi-Usa reassured her sister, "I didn't even tell
Onee-san about you." Misako's eyebrows shot up in surprise and Chibi-Usa
hurried to explain, "Onee-chan, that would be tellin' her about the
future. What if I said something that would make you not exist? I'd be
really sad then."

Sliding close to her sister, Misako gave her a quick hug. "You're better
than I am at keeping secrets. I shouldn't have said what I did." <I was
so worried though. 'Sagi, you'd be so happy for Sakuya.> "It's the same
with you and Usagi. I can't tell you about the girl I mentioned. She
might not exist if I did and I couldn't do that; I want her to exist, so
I can have an imouto."

<I must hate her too,> Chibi-Usa sadly thought, <I couldn't just hate
Misako. She's the sister I wished for.> If only Misako would realize
that. "I guess I don't like our imouto either, ne?"

Misako tapped her lip in thought. <I don't know, that's even in my
future.> "I don't think she thinks of you as a sister," Misako
speculated and shrugged a little. "I don't even know if you love her or
not. You haven't said."

Chibi-Usa made a strangled noise as her eyes misted over. Her bottom lip
started to tremble and after a moment, she sniffled. "Iie Misako, I have
to love her."

"Onee-chan, I think you love her. I'm really not sure. I can't say
anymore or Sailor Pluto'll have my hide," Misako stated firmly. Hugging
her sister close, Misako thought, <Gomen 'Sagi, I didn't mean to make
you sad.> "What if I read you a story, 'Sagi-chan?" Misako offered, "To
make up for me not telling you about the meet." Her only reply was a
sniffle from Chibi-Usa. The little girl wiped at the tears that were
falling from her eyes. "Please don't cry," Misako said softly, "I
promise I'll think about what I can tell you. 'Kay?" After a moment, her
sister nodded, "Now what about that story?"

"And cookies?"

"And cookies," Misako agreed. <And I won't even charge you for them,>
she giggled to herself.

"Sugoi!" Chibi-Usa declared and then sobered slightly, "Onee-chan, why
didn't you tell me about the meet?" Misako shifted uncomfortably so
Chibi-Usa added, "Momoko said I was a pushover and did everything that
you wanted me to do."

Misako frowned and then said honestly, "I was too excited about the meet
I guess and I knew you couldn't come so..." she trailed off and
shrugged, "I don't think you do everything I say. You aren't a
pushover... I think you're a very kawaii little girl." Just like she had
been once.

                                 ******

The bullet train glided swiftly towards Tokyo in the night. Misako, her
head resting against the window, looked out at the landscape speeding
by. The soft thrumming of the train was hypnotic in a way, lolling
Misako into a partial doze. She was drawn from this when Kyoku sat down
beside her and gave her a small nudge.

"Ne, you've been quiet, Miko-chan. What are you thinking about?" Kyoku
asked.

Misako sat back in her seat before turning to regard her friend. "My
imouto," Misako responded softly, "I missed having her at the meet." <I
feel bad that I didn't tell her.> Facing forward, she closed her eyes
and confessed softly, "Kyo-chan, I didn't even tell her about this
meet."

"I know you like your imouto. She isn't a bad kid either but... would
you want a little kid to be hanging around you? She isn't into
gymnastics or anything," Kyoku remarked, "Just think about it,
Miko-chan. Instead of going to that dance last night and impressing
everybody, you might have been stuck babysitting."

Misako was silent for several seconds before saying softly, "I guess
so." <I still feel bad though. Kyoku's right. If 'Sagi were there last
night, I would have had to keep an eye on her instead of dancing and
having fun.>

Kyoku's voice broke into Misako's thoughts, "Sensei got tapes made so
you and your imouto can watch it together." A smile spread across
Kyoku's face and she added, "And she'll see that her onee placed third
in overall competition." Misako smiled with pride as an image of the
bronze medal that lay nestled in her suitcase appeared in her mind.

Misako sat back and closed her eyes. It was late, the seats were
comfortable, and with the soft rumbling of the train lulling, soon the
little girl was asleep. Headed towards the family she had, headed
towards the place that she considered home.

                                 ******

As December progressed, the anticipation of Christmas increased. Misako
in her role as Chibi-Usa's onee tried her best to give her mother the
privacy she wanted. Not only to spend time with Mamoru and the other
Senshi but also to do the shopping she talked about. While Misako was
mostly successful, there were other times when she failed.

However, Chibi-Usa's childlike excitement grew contagious and Misako
found herself looking forward to Christmas Day and the Christmas tree as
much as her sister. It was only with minor protests then that she helped
Chibi-Usa devise a plan so that they could both see what their presents
were; it was one of the few times that Chibi-Usa appreciated her
sister's unofficial training in tactics she had received from Sakuya. It
was one of the few times that Misako came closer than she wished in
telling Chibi-Usa anything about the future.

As it turned out, Misako indirectly let slip that Sakuya had lost her
Sailor Senshi designation. After that, Misako spent the next few days
chastising herself for letting that information leak. Fortunately for
some reason, Chibi-Usa did not relay that information to Usagi nor
Makoto for that matter.

Their planned raid on the Christmas tree and its presents was stopped by
Mamoru. Suspecting that the two girls were up to something, he made it
clear that any attempt to see their presents early would mean that he
would take his back and he wouldn't give ANY presents ever again,
including birthdays. The threat had the desired effect and the girls
scrapped their plans, if somewhat reluctantly.

Although it was disappointing that their carefully laid plan was
thwarted, both girls were not surprised. Their father was the one that
usually discovered their schemes at Christmas time; it was also their
Endymion that ensured neither Chibi-Usa nor Misako got a look at their
presents ahead of time. One downside about Mamoru over Endymion was that
he certainly wasn't as creative in his threats. To his daughters' way of
thinking, Mamoru was not as practiced in preventing misbehavior as his
future counterpart.

                                 ******

Christmas passed uneventfully. The festivities that were held were
certainly different from those that were held in Crystal Tokyo and
Misako enjoyed them, especially with her uncle and grandparents there.
What she looked forward to with even more anticipation was the meal that
Makoto had planned for two days after Christmas.

On the day that they were to go over to Makoto's, Misako slept in. As
she woke up, Misako was greeted with what she had came to expect, her
sister hugging her while Diana was snuggled between them. Glancing over
at the clock and seeing that it was about eight, she gently shook her
sister.

"Imouto," Misako called softly, "It's time to get up."

"Hmmm..." Chibi-Usa mumbled as her eyes slowly fluttered open.
"Onee-chan?" She yawned and started to close her eyelids again, "Too
early."

"Imouto," Misako called softly again, "Don't you want to do what we
planned?" Chibi-Usa gave her a bleary, questioning look. "We were gonna
get up, take our bath, and then get dressed. We're supposed to help
Makoto today, ne?" After a moment, Chibi-Usa stirred and sat up.

"Hai," Chibi-Usa responded, "But I'm SO sleepy. Couldn't we wait an
hour?" Misako levered herself up and, then taking her sister's arm,
hauled her to her feet.

"You can sleep in the furo if you're that tired, 'Sagi, or I'll go over
to Makoto's on my own," Misako stated with a smile. Chibi-Usa shook her
head. Whether to deny Misako's statement or to clear the sleep from her
mind, Misako wasn't sure.

After gathering their bath things, Chibi-Usa and Misako headed off to
take their bath. After they had entered the bathroom and the door was
closed, Chibi-Usa queried, "Ne, you want to wash each other's hair?"

"Hai," Misako chirped, "Do you want me to wash your hair first or do you
want to wash mine, 'Sagi-chan?"

After a short pause, Chibi-Usa decided, "You can wash mine first."
Misako nodded in agreement and they started to undress. After about
twenty minutes, both girls were scrubbed clean and hair washed. Misako
was about to step into the furo when Chibi-Usa stopped her. "Onee-chan,
I got an idea."

"Nani?" Misako questioned.

Walking over to the stall, Chibi-Usa twisted the cold knob so that a
stream of cold water came shooting out of the showerhead. "Get really
cold then we can sit in the furo and it'll be really nice," Chibi-Usa
said. Then scrunching up her face, she stepped under the icy stream and
gave a loud gasp of shock. She stood there for a few seconds before
darting out from under the stream and into the furo. "Come on,
Onee-chan, your turn!"

Misako was not looking forward to the coldness, however, it seemed like
an interesting idea. The deep breath that she had taken in came rushing
out as the cold water leeched the heat from her skin quickly. Misako
shivered and shuddered trying to resist the urge to leave the cold water
for as long as possible; after a few seconds though, she turned the
water off and hurried over to the furo.

As her sister sank below the hot water of the furo, Chibi-Usa giggled.
"Fun, ne?"

"Iie," Misako disagreed as she rubbed her arms, "That was cold!" <I
won't do that again.>

"Well you couldn't use hot water," Chibi-Usa mused. She then frowned for
a moment and said, "Onee-chan, you like baths now, ne?"

"I've been here for six months and you just now realized that?" Misako
questioned. <I loved this furo. It seems small now but when I was five,
it was like a swimming pool.> She closed her eyes. <I remember the day
Ikuko-mama had to give me a bath. That was when I was all covered with
ice cream and other gooey stuff.>

Chibi-Usa hadn't answered right away. Instead, she had sat silently
staring at the water. "I guess I didn't think about it 'til now." That
seemed to end the conversation; both girls sank into silence, not sure
what to say yet wanting to say more.

Half an hour later, both girls were back in their room. Chibi-Usa was
sitting on her futon while Misako brushed her hair out. It was then that
Chibi-Usa broke the silence. "Onee-chan, could I borrow one of your hair
ribbons?"

"Nani?" Misako questioned.

"I want to wear my hair like yours," Chibi-Usa explained after a moment,
"I know you don't like to wear odangos but today's a special day; if you
don't want to wear odangos, then I'll wear mine like yours."

Misako frowned slightly and slowed her brushing. <Well, Chibi-Usa should
really wear odangos. They are really kawaii on her. I suppose I could
wear them for 'Sagi.> Did she mean that? Misako considered that idea for
another moment before nodding. <Just for today, I'll wear odangos.>

"Imouto," Misako said, "I'll wear odangos today. You're right that it's
a special day."

"Will you wear yours like mine?" Chibi-Usa asked, "Or I can wear mine
like yours before, Onee-chan."

Misako took less time to consider this, "I'll wear mine like yours,
Imouto." <That way I don't look so much like HER.> She would also be
making her imouto happy and that was one thing that Misako wanted to do.
"Do you want me to get Mom so she can do up your odangos?"

"You've gotten good at it, Onee-chan," Chibi-Usa replied, "You can do
mine and then, I'll do yours." Misako hugged her sister and Chibi-Usa
giggled. "I like getting my hair brushed," Chibi-Usa commented, "It
reminds me of Mommy." <Mommy likes brushing my hair.> The silence that
followed was uncomfortable.

"What about Dad?" Misako questioned, "He usually got us up in the
morning." <All you ever talk about is Mom... Don't you ever miss Dad?>
When Chibi-Usa didn't offer a response to her question, Misako prodded,
"Don't you love Dad?"

Chibi-Usa whirled around, her eyes wide and she said, "Hai!" A hurt look
crossed her face and Chibi-Usa added, "I love Daddy a lot. I just don't
think about him when my hair gets brushed." She gave her sister a hard
look and asked, "Do you think I hate Daddy?"

"Iie," Misako answered honestly, "You just never really talk about him."
Chibi-Usa blushed then and turned around. Misako sighed silently and put
her sister's hair up in her customary rabbit ear odangos. "Done... Your
turn, Imouto."

"'Kay," Chibi-Usa chirped happily and then they switched positions. "You
hair feels really soft, Onee-chan." Chibi-Usa commented as she started
brushing the blonde-white hair. "Ne, Miko-chan?"

"Yeah?"

"Did you know you look like Obaa-san?" Although Misako didn't turn
around, Chibi-Usa could almost see the scowl on her sister's face. "Not
Ikuko-mama, I mean Mommy's mommy."

"Queen Serenity?" Misako asked, "From the Silver Millennium?"

"Hai, she had hair like yours... That's what Mommy keeps saying."
Another silence came over the room then and it wasn't broken until
Chibi-Usa was almost done brushing out her sister's hair. "Mommy told me
that when you first came, she thought that Sobo had re... re-in... uh
you know. She ain't dead."

"Reincarnated?" Misako questioned.

"Hai, that's what Mommy said," Chibi-Usa replied. There was a short
pause and then Chibi-Usa added, "I do think about Daddy, Misako. I
wouldn't want anything to happen to him ever." <Please Imouto, believe
me.>

"I know, Chibi-Usa-chan," Misako responded with a little sigh, "I know
you love Dad." <He loves you too.>

What followed over the next five minutes had both girls giggling by the
end. Chibi-Usa had never done up rabbit ear odangos from the back. After
a couple of tries, she was about to give up when she had a good idea.
Having Misako sit cross-legged, she sat in Misako's lap. From that
position, she reached up and proceeded with her task. Misako wrapped her
arms around Chibi-Usa and smiled.

As she rested her forehead on the back of Chibi-Usa's head, Misako
thought, <If you liked me in the future, would we do this when I was
little? Would I have taken your necklace?> She didn't have any easy
answers but there was one thing Misako knew for sure -- she loved this
little sister. She would love her other imouto just as much, if she ever
saw her.

                                 ******

"What's takin' them so long?" Usagi whined, as she stood in the kitchen
of the Tsukino house. "I want to see them before they go."

"Usagi-chan," Shingo wondered as he entered the kitchen, "Aren't you
going with them?" Usagi shook her head and stuffed a muffin into her
mouth. "Why not?"

"'Cause," Usagi sulked after she had swallowed half the muffin,
"Mako-chan said I'd eat all the food and just get in the way." Usagi
stuck her lip out in a pout and added, "Mako-chan said that since I'm
not cooking curry that she and the girls could handle it."

Shingo stifled the grin he felt coming on and said, "Don't worry,
Usagi-chan; Makoto-san probably thinks this is an important meal and she
just wants everything to be perfect."

"Yeah, I guess you're right, Shingo," Usagi admitted. Shingo shook his
head and left the room. She was about to turn back to her sulking at not
being able to help Makoto when she heard Shingo give an exclamation of
surprise. Coming out into the hall, she stared at the sight before her.

Misako was wearing her lavender dress she had received for her birthday
and white knee socks. The biggest shock, though, was Misako's hair was
done up in rabbit ear odangos like her sister's, each of which sported
a baby-blue bow. Chibi-Usa was also in a dress; this one of a pale pink.
She also wore white knee socks; her usual rabbit ear odangos each
sporting a satin-white bow.

"Ohayo ladies," Shingo greeted and gave a deep sweeping bow. Chibi-Usa
and Misako both giggled. Hearing a sniffle, Shingo turned and saw his
sister's eyes had misted over. <Oh brother...> Shingo thought.

<They look so grown up,> Usagi thought, <I'm so very proud of you.> The
sadness she had felt at her exclusion from the girls' preparations
melted away. Walking slowly over to her daughters, Usagi knelt and
carefully hugged each one with an arm. When they hugged her back, Usagi
sniffled again and, leaning back, wiped her eyes. "You are both very
pretty," Usagi said softly, "I'm so proud of you." Standing, she stepped
back and said, "Stay there, I want a picture."

By the time Usagi had retrieved the camera, Ikuko had noticed the girls
and had commented on how much like young ladies they looked. This made
both girls blush deeply at the compliment.

"Okay, smile you two," Usagi ordered as she lifted the camera. Misako
took Chibi-Usa's hand and both little girls stood together, smiling
contentedly towards their mother. After the picture had been taken,
Misako and Chibi-Usa prepared to leave. After having been warned to be
good for Makoto, getting a kiss from Ikuko, a hug from Usagi, and after
some coaxing a hug from Shingo, Misako and Chibi-Usa left.

Getting to Makoto's without incident was almost impossible. Both girls
loved the snow and there was plenty of it around to play in.
Fortunately, they managed to contain themselves to the occasional
snowball. It was with relief then that they entered Makoto's apartment
and noticed that their dresses and hair were only slightly rumpled and
easily fixed.

                                 ******

<Hmmm... that smells so good,> Misako thought, her stomach growled in
agreement. <I'm glad Makoto let Chibi-Usa help her. My imouto's good at
cooking, not like I am.> Her food was at best edible, her one
consolation was that it tasted better than her mother's and was by far
superior to Minako's.

She examined the table she was setting with a critical eye and gave an
exasperated sigh. "Makoto-san," Misako wondered as she came to stand at
the entrance to the kitchen, "Are you sure that table is gonna fit
everybody?"

Makoto looked up from the pot she was stirring and frowned slightly. "I
think so." Lowering the heat of the burner, she gave the other pots a
cursory glance and then checked how Chibi-Usa was doing. "Iie,
Chibi-Usa-chan, you have to cut those into smaller cubes or they won't
cook fast enough."

"I'm tryin', Mako-chan," Chibi-Usa replied, "I just can't seem to get
it."

"Here, like this," Makoto explained. Folding her hands over the little
girl's, she made the appropriate chopping motions. "See?" she questioned
and Chibi-Usa nodded her understanding. Removing her hands, Makoto
watched Chibi-Usa for a moment and then said, "Sugoi, now
Chibi-Usa-chan, be careful with that knife. If you cut yourself, I'll
never hear the end of it from your mother." Makoto paused, "I'll be
right back."

"I promise, Mako-chan," Chibi-Usa said. While she didn't notice the
frown Misako gave her, Makoto did.

Ushering Misako out of the entranceway, Makoto came into the living room
where the expanded table was set up. <Why does something look wrong?>
Makoto thought and walked around the table. "I think you're right,
Misako..." Makoto scratched her head and scowled, "I don't remember us
having this problem when we did this with Sakuya." Walking over, Makoto
flicked the tablecloth up. Uttering a muttered curse, she turned back to
look at Misako.

"Nani?" Misako asked with concern.

"The center leaf's missing," Makoto stated with disgust, "I losing it. I
thought I had put both in." <Baka Makoto.> She wanted to thump the table
in frustration but didn't. <Poor thing, Kami-sama was looking out for me
the day I found you.> The table had been hidden away in a pawnshop.
"Gomen Misako." The problem was soon rectified and Misako went back to
her task of setting the table.

After another ten minutes, Misako stood back and admired her work.
<There, that's perfect!> The place settings even had little stylized
name cards that she and Chibi-Usa had worked on together. The pride in
her work increased when both Makoto and Chibi-Usa said that the table
looked perfect. The only thing missing now was the food and by the
smells emanating from the kitchen, that was almost done.

                                 ******

She leaned heavily against the wall, eyes tightly shut, hands clasped
across her stomach. <I feel like I'm gonna explode!> Misako thought with
a groan, <I shouldn't've eaten so much.> The combination of Makoto's and
her sister's cooking had been too much to resist. <How could Mommy and
'Sagi eat so much?> Just the thought made her stomach roll and she
groaned slightly. <You'd think they'd get fat.>

"Are you okay?" a voice asked. Misako opened one eye to see her father
looking at her with worry.

"Hai Daddy," Misako said softly, "I think I ate a little too much
though." Her father gave a sympathetic grin while taking her hand.
<Where are we going?> Misako wondered but she let her father guide her
away from the wall. Closing her eyes, she trusted her father and
concentrated on not exploding.

Mamoru walked back to the table that had been cleared of dishes. Pulling
out a chair, he sat down and gently lifted his daughter onto his lap.
"Now just relax, Mesume," Mamoru said gently to his daughter as he
started to softly rub her back, "Don't think about it and it'll go
away."

<How am I not supposed to think about it?> Misako wondered but she
tried. Instead, she concentrated on the hand that was rubbing her back.
Unconsciously, a slow smile spread across her face. "That feels nice,
Daddy," Misako mused softly.

"Think about something soft," Mamoru instructed, "Just imagine you're on
a hill." Misako wanted to question but didn't; instead, she followed her
father's directions and the pressure seemed to lessen. Misako's head
drooped slightly and she snuggled a little closer. "Are you going to
sleep, Miko-chan?"

"Hai," she chirped softly. Misako's eyes snapped open as both her sister
and mother launched into a fit of giggles. <They look so happy
together,> Misako mused, <What's their secret?> Chibi-Usa was smiling
radiantly as her mother hugged her and they laughed together. <I don't
understand them sometimes,> Misako thought as she closed her eyes,
trying to shut out the image of mother and daughter. <Why can't I have a
mommy?> Certainly, Usagi was her mother but she was constrained in that
role by having to deceive her parents.

"Everything will be okay," Mamoru comforted. <Maybe I should say
something to Usagi,> he thought but then shook his head, <Iie. What
could I say? I don't have any real proof and Misako doesn't tell me
much.> There were, however, definitely indications that it wasn't just
simple sibling rivalry that was bothering Misako. If anything, the
rivalry had seemed to drop to normal levels. On occasion though, Misako
would say or do something to indicate that not all was well, either with
the present situation or in the future.

<Onee-san, you're so silly!> Chibi-Usa thought as she giggled with
delight. <I should tell Misako that joke; she'd like it.> "Ne,
Usagi-oneesan, where's Misako?"

"Over with Mamo-chan," Usagi answered, "Boy... what a lucky kid." <He
never lets me sleep like that,> Usagi thought and promptly blushed.
Chibi-Usa had turned to locate her sister so didn't see Usagi's blush;
however, the other girls did though, and after a moment, recognized what
Usagi was blushing at. This started a new type of game, each girl trying
to get Usagi to blush even more without saying anything that would be
difficult to explain to Chibi-Usa.

Chibi-Usa, though, was not paying attention to the conversations around
her. She was, instead, looking with envy at her sister. <Misako's so
lucky,> Chibi-Usa thought, <That really looks like fun.> Misako was
sitting on Mamoru's knee, apparently fast asleep while Mamoru rubbed her
back gently and seemed to be whispering something to her. <I try to get
Usagi to do some quiet stuff with me... It never seems to work though.>
That was one great advantage of having her sister around; they could
spend rainy afternoons together in quiet contentment.

The screeching of Usagi's protest at the game that Chibi-Usa had been
oblivious to, was finally too much for the little girl. Sliding from
beside her mother, she walked over to her father and, without preamble,
slid onto his other knee. <Much better,> Chibi-Usa thought, <Onee-chan's
got the right idea.> Closing her eyes, Chibi-Usa rested her head against
Mamoru and soon was asleep, just like her sister.

                                 ******

The Tsukino house echoed with the bellows of Misako in early January.
"CHIBI-USAGI!!!!" Misako bellowed, her face flaring with embarrassment
and anger, "GET OUT!"

"Iie, this is my room too!" Chibi-Usa replied.

Kyoku watched in amusement as Misako and Chibi-Usa continued to quarrel.
She and Misako had come up to Misako's room to do homework after school.
It being January and near the end of the term, most teachers seemed to
think that the already heavy workload wasn't heavy enough and piled on
more stuff to learn.

Things had gone well until Misako's kid sister had come into the room.
Kyoku didn't really mind Chibi-Usa. Today though was a different matter;
Chibi-Usa was in one of her whining moods.

"Look," Misako began with controlled anger, "When you came in here, you
said you'd be quiet unless you needed help, ne?" Chibi-Usa pouted
slightly but nodded. "I don't think you whining about Momoko not being
able to play with you and Usagi being over at Mamoru's qualifies as
needing help!" Taking another breath, she asked, "You say you're done with
your homework. Why don't you go play? Maybe Shingo will play with you."

"But I want you too," Chibi-Usa whined, "You never spend any time with
me."

"I'm busy," Misako said with exasperation, "I have homework and
gymnastics practices. I don't always have time to play with a little
kid."

"I'm NOT a little kid!" Chibi-Usa shouted, "I'm almost nine!"

"`Almost nine'?!" Misako questioned, "Your birthday's about six months
away. You're EIGHT years old."

Chibi-Usa crossed her arms and glowered at her sister, "Okay, so I'm
eight and a half, but I'm NOT a little kid. I am pre-teen just like
you."

"You still get spanked and you even wet the bed," Misako argued.
Chibi-Usa's neck and face flushed with anger. Her neck puffed out as her
indignation took hold. "Now just be a good imouto and get lost."

Chibi-Usa, boiling with fury, stalked from the room. Once the door was
closed behind her though, her anger fled. She burst into tears and ran
to Usagi's room. Lying on her mother's bed, Chibi-Usa gave vent to her
frustration. She seemed to be losing her sister all over again.

Back in their bedroom, Misako sighed. Turning to Kyoku, she said, "Gomen
Kyo-chan, I wish you hadn't seen that."

"Miko-chan," Kyoku said, "Don't you think you were just a little mean?"

Misako scowled at her textbook for several seconds before shaking her
head. "You don't know what I have to put up with." She looked at Kyoku
and said, "The kids at school think I'm nuts." Turning the page with a
snap, she added, "I never got invited to that party because the others
thought I'd be forced to take my baby sister... or I'd WANT to take
her."

Kyoku nodded. "So you heard that too." Misako gave her a sharp look and
Kyoku shrugged. "I just hear things. I had a problem with some rumors
before so I don't like to say anything." She did not elaborate on what
problems she'd had and Misako didn't ask.

                                 ******

The day was bleak and cold. A sheet of ice-cold rain fell from the
cloud-laden sky of mid-January. Misako dressed in a pair of green track
pants and a sweater that was green and gold walked into her room.
Brushing her hair out of her face, she retrieved her journal. Carefully
pushing her sister's globe out of the way, Misako hopped up onto the
windowsill. Leaning back against the wall, she drew her knees up to form
an incline on which she rested her journal. After a moment's thought,
she began to write:

     Date January 12, 1996,

     I haven't written to you in a while, I've been busy though.
     With report cards coming at the end of this month, I have to
     do well. That isn't the real reason why I'm writing to you
     though. It's about that sister of mine!

     I don't know whatever possessed her to think she could use a
     balance beam! It's a good thing Sobo wasn't home. Imagine us
     trying to explain why a balance beam, even if it was a small
     one, was in our room?

Misako stopped writing and snorted. <I hope Mommy scolds 'Sagi for
that,> Misako thought, <Luna-P wasn't meant to give 'Sagi things we
wanted.> With that thought, Misako turned back to her writing.

     My sister uses Luna-P more than she should. I can't say
     anything though 'cause I've used it too... especially for ice
     cream. Hai, if you haven't guessed already, my imouto had
     Luna-P make her a balance beam complete with mats in our room.
     The baka Odango Atama nearly broke her neck...

Misako paused as the image of Chibi-Usa lying on the mats, groaning,
rushed into her mind. <'Sagi scared me. I thought she was really hurt.>
A grimace spread across her face. <I TOLD her she was important to the
timeline and what does she do... pulls a boneheaded stunt like that!>
Turning back to her journal, Misako continued to vent her frustrations.

     Chibi-Usagi is okay though... Hai, I'm mad at her. I'm glad
     she isn't as hurt as what I thought she was. Not a broken neck
     just a sprained ankle. Of course, Mom had to lie to Sobo and
     the doctor. You'd think 'Sagi would at least be ashamed that
     she made her own mother lie.

Sighing, Misako signed off. <I thought that would make me feel better;
all it did was remind me what 'Sagi did.> What Misako was at a loss to
figure out was exactly why her sister had attempted something dangerous
without supervision. <Maybe when Mom has a talk with her, she'll find
out.>

                                 ******

Usagi quietly closed her door and walked over to sit down on her bed
beside Chibi-Usa. The little girl was sitting on the bed, holding one of
Usagi's stuffed bunny rabbits while looking at her ankle. A tension
bandage was wrapped firmly around it and when Chibi-Usa poked it, she
gave a gasp of pain.

"You know, Imouto," Usagi began as she sat down, "I don't think you were
supposed to do that." Chibi-Usa gave her a sour look and hugged the toy
closer. "You want to talk about it?"

Chibi-Usa sat silently for a long time and then said softly, "Onee-san,
I didn't mean to scare everybody." After scratching her nose a little,
she added, "I just thought it would help."

"What do you mean by `help'?" Usagi questioned gently, "Help with what?"

Instead of answering the question, the little girl stated, "I thought
Misako would be proud of me. I thought maybe if I could do what she did,
I could spend more time with her." <I really miss her.>

"Sweetheart, I don't understand," Usagi remarked, "I think Misako IS
proud of you. She really liked that picture you did; she even bought a
frame for it." She stroked one of her daughter's pigtails while adding,
"I don't think you need to do anything special to be her imouto."

Chibi-Usa shook her head before turning a sad look towards Usagi.
"Onee-san, that's just it. I don't want to be Misako's imouto. I want to
be her onee." Usagi opened her mouth to reply but Chibi-Usa again shook
her head. "I know I have to pretend to be her imouto..." she trailed
off. Lowering her head, Chibi-Usa said more softly, "Something's wrong
and I don't know what."

Feeling worried now, Usagi took Chibi-Usa's hand and suggested, "Mesume,
please tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can help." The only response from
Chibi-Usa was a sniffle. Moving to kneel in front of her daughter, Usagi
said, "Mesume, if you keep everything bottled up, then nothing will get
better."

"Misako never wants to play with me anymore, Onee-san," Chibi-Usa
admitted, "I like playing with Momoko but... I miss playing with
Misako." Shifting slightly, she added, "Me and her can talk to each
other about stuff." <She's my best friend.> Certainly Momoko was her
best friend in a way. Misako, though, was the one Chibi-Usa could and
wanted tell her secrets to. "She hangs around with Shingo, Mika, and
everybody but me." Sniffling again, Chibi-Usa choked out, "She thinks
I'm a baby... She hates me."

"Imouto, I don't think Misako hates you," Usagi said gently, "I know she
loves you very much." Chibi-Usa gave her a dubious look. "She shows it
by the way she wants to protect you in battle." Brushing away some of
her daughter's tears, she continued, "She helps you with your homework
and she tried to keep you out of trouble like on her birthday." After a
slight pause, she said, "Misako wouldn't have done all that if she
didn't love you."

Chibi-Usa blinked away her tears. <Onee-san's right. Misako did do all
those things.> It didn't help the ache in her heart though. <But I want
to do those things for Misako. I want to be Misako's onee, like it
should be. I have to show her that I love her.> Reaching out, she hugged
her mother. <I promise, Misako. I promise that I will do anything to be
the onee that loves you; I won't ever change into that onee that hates
you.>

                                 ******

Misako was looking through the history book Ami had given her. She loved
reading it, drinking in every detail, and trying to imagine what those
periods were like. In a way though, she regretted getting the book. It
was certainly one of her most treasured of possessions, second only to
her broach. The problem was that she wanted to visit those times, those
places.

So engrossed in the book was she that Misako never heard the gentle
tapping at the door. She never heard Usagi calling out her name or the
door opening. Not even the soft padding of her mother's feet distracted
her from her daydreams and the images that book's text generated in her
mind.

"Misako," Usagi called gently and reaching out, touched her daughter's
shoulder. Misako gave a yelp of surprise as she jumped up into the air.
If it hadn't have been for Usagi standing right beside her, Misako would
have toppled onto the floor; as it was, the little girl clutched her
chest while breathing heavily, and feeling the pounding of her small
heart.

"Oh Mesume," Usagi apologized gently, "Gomen." She tried with all her
might to hide the grin that wanted to appear but failed miserably. Not
only did she grin but she giggled as well. As Misako tried to calm
herself, she glared at her mother. "I really am sorry, Miko-chan," Usagi
said with honesty, "I wasn't trying to scare you on purpose."

After a short time, Misako could feel her heart slowing down and she
sighed. "That's okay, Mommy," Misako said softly, "Daddy's done that to
me too. Especially when I study late at night." A smile flickered across
her face. "Did you want me for something?" Before Usagi could answer,
Misako asked, "How's 'Sagi? Did you find out why she did that baka
thing?"

Usagi paused before saying, "Hai, I talked to your imouto. I also found
out why Chibi-Usa did what she did." Misako looked expectantly at her
mother and Usagi finished with, "She was doing that dangerous stunt
because of you."

"Me?!" Misako squeaked in protest, "She's blaming me?!? Why that
little..."

Usagi cut her daughter off, "Your LITTLE sister thought that she needed
to do gymnastics like her OLDER sister, so that you'd spend time with
her." Misako's jaw swung open in surprised shock. She stared at her
mother, trying to articulate the disbelief she was feeling. "She didn't
blame you, Misako," Usagi stated tersely, "She wanted to be with her
sister. If you weren't going to play any games she liked, she was going
to do something you liked so she could be with you." It had started off
as an explanation but as Usagi finished, her tone was admonishing.

Misako blushed deeply. <She did that to be with me?> The desire to find
Chibi-Usa and hug her welled up within Misako but sensing her mother had
more to say, she fought it down.

<Stay calm, Usagi... Don't blow your top. Misako's your daughter as much
as Chibi-Usa is,> Usagi thought while trying to calm herself.
"Miko-chan, Chibi-Usa is okay. Like I said, she did this to be with
you."

Misako shook her head in disbelief. "Why though? That was dangerous. I
have to practice a lot; 'Sagi's smart..."

"Mesume," Usagi said gently interrupting her daughter, "You know I can
see why Chibi-Usa did it." Misako gave her a curious look. "You aren't
being a very good onee."

"Nani?!"

"When you were five, Chibi-Usa would spend a lot of time with you. If
her imouto wanted to play, then that's what she did," Usagi explained,
"I know you help Chibi-Usa with her homework and do other things for
her, and you're good at them... but Chibi-Usa really wants to be with
you. Don't push her away."

Misako sat silently pondering for several minutes before looking at
Usagi and asking, "So I should always play with 'Sagi, ne Mommy?"

"Iie, Mesume, but maybe you could make Chibi-Usa feel a little more
grown up by letting her do things with you and Shingo... or maybe even
Kyoku," Usagi suggested, "I also think that saying Chibi-Usa still wets
the bed in front of other people isn't very nice." Misako flushed
brightly then and looked towards the ground.

<Gomen nasai, 'Sagi. I guess I was wrong about you again,> Misako
thought as she hugged her mother. <I'll try to be nice to you, 'Sagi.
I'll try to be a good onee. I do care about you and I wouldn't want you
to be sad.> Misako nodded. "I'll try, Mommy."

"Sugoi," Usagi responded and hugged her daughter.

At that exact moment, something changed. Misako knew what she had to do.
<I know, 'Sagi,> Misako thought, <I'll be the best onee ever; I'm gonna
do everything to make you happy.>

                                 ******

Her little feet pounded over the slippery and wet rooftops. The lightly
overcast sky spat rain down on her. And she cursed. As Chibi-Earth ran
towards the latest battle, she cursed the need for secret identities.
She cursed the need to run over rooftops slicked with ice high off the
ground. But most of all, she cursed and promised severe pain to the
enemy.

"Where are you?" came Sailor Moon's question over her communicator.

"Almost there!" Chibi-Earth puffed out, "I'm the short one of the group,
remember?" <I can't believe the lie I told Sensei to get out of
gymnastics practice,> Chibi-Earth thought, <I hate having to hide that
I'm a Senshi.> The battle site came into view and as she approached ever
closer, Chibi-Earth could make out the Lemure.

It was one of the strangest of Lemures that Chibi-Earth had ever seen.
The Lemure was something along the lines of a centaur. It had the lower
body of a white horse but instead of an upper torso of a man, it had the
upper body of a bear. The bear's head, however, was replaced by that of
a horse.

<Where's Chibi-Moon?> Chibi-Earth thought, <No time for a speech!> And
she had worked a really good one up too. As she scanned the battlefield,
Venus called a warning out to her.

"Watch its hooves, Chibi-Earth!" Venus yelled.

"Why?!" Chibi-Earth responded. Her shout drew the Lemure's attention and
it grinned evilly at her. Raising its front hooves, it struck the
ground. Two rippling lines of energy shot forth and streaked towards the
Chibi-Earth but she easily dodged them. <Gotta find 'Sagi,> Chibi-Earth
thought as she leapt from one lamppost to the other. There she... What's
she doing?!>

"HEY YOU!" Chibi-Moon shouted to the Lemure, "YOU, BIG AND UGLY!" The
Lemure was ignoring her so Chibi-Moon cried out, "YOU POOR EXCUSE FOR A
CART HORSE!" That got its attention. It whirled to face Chibi-Moon with
an angry snort.

"Chibi-Moon move!" Chibi-Earth yelled. <Baka Odango Atama,> Chibi-Earth
thought angrily as she sped towards her sister, <Doesn't she see the gas
tank behind her?> "RED ROSE HEART ATTACK!" she shouted her attack. The
deadly petals sped towards the Lemure but had no effect.

"Chibi-Earth, get out of the way!" Chibi-Moon cried.

"Iie!" Chibi-Earth shouted back, "Chibi-Moon move!" She was keeping her
body between the Lemure and Chibi-Moon. <She has to move now.>

"MARS FLAME SNIPER!" Mars called in an attempt to distract the Lemure
but it used its own attack to deflect hers.

"VENUS LOVE ME CHAIN!" Venus cried and launched her golden chain towards
the Lemure. Despite its efforts, the Lemure was unable to avoid the
golden chain which encircled it. "Help!" Venus cried as the Lemure began
to buck wildly. Sailor Jupiter ran to help her companion.

"I said move!" Chibi-Moon shouted and, leaping over Chibi-Earth, brought
out her rod, "PINK SUGAR HEART ATTACK!" her attack connecting with the
Lemure. For some reason, it seemed to enrage the beast even more. Giving
a forward lung, it head-butted Chibi-Moon into the air.

"'SAGI!!!!" Chibi-Earth cried. "YOU BAKA THING!" she snarled and,
grabbing at some of the loss concrete, rushed headlong towards the
monster threatening her sister. "You leave her alone!" Swinging the
concrete with all her strength, Chibi-Earth brought it down squarely on
the Lemure's front knee joint. It screamed in rage and tried to bite
her.

"Get out of there!" Tuxedo Kamen commanded. Chibi-Earth obeyed. "Are you
okay?" he asked Chibi-Moon who was cradled in his arms.

"Hai," Chibi-Moon said, "just got a headache."

"Then finish him off," Tuxedo Kamen instructed softly. Chibi-Moon gave a
thumbs up but wobbled as she stood on the ground.

Carefully kneeling and clasping her hands, Chibi-Moon prayed to the
Pegasus. "Please Pegasus... protect everyone's dreams!" Getting up, she
started to ring the Charion Bell while calling out, "Twinkle yell!"

After the Pegasus appeared, Super Sailor Moon shouted, "MOON GORGEOUS
MEDITATION!" blasting the Lemure back into its shadowy realm. His
departure was followed by an eerie clap of thunder, a shower of sparks,
and an agonized "Stage out."

                                 ******

Fists tightly clenched at her sides, Chibi-Earth stalked over to where
her sister and father were standing. Sailor Moon was looking at
Chibi-Moon's head closely while Mercury seemed to be taking readings.

"Really bad bump on the head. I go home and tell your mom she hit her
head," Mercury said, "You're mom can take over from there. She's likely
had this happen before."

"BUT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED!" Chibi-Earth roared. Her unexpected
outburst caused the other Senshi to jump in surprise and look on in
fascination as she approached her sister. "Chibi-Moon, why didn't you
listen to me?"

"I don't have to. I've been a Senshi longer than you," Chibi-Moon
pouted.

"And what did I tell you? But do you listen... IIE!" Chibi-Earth
snarled, "Do you know why I told you to move?" Chibi-Moon shook her
head. "You were standing by THAT tank." She jabbed a finger at the gas
storage tank that was nestled beside the building. "It might have
exploded, ne? Then you would have been Crispy Moon."

"You think you're so smart," Chibi-Moon countered, "You just like to
boss everybody around." She glared at her "older" sister with annoyance
and added, "Why'd you get in my way?"

Chibi-Earth growled, clenched her teeth, and said, "Because you are
important. Very, very important. Besides, what you were trying to do
wasn't needed; the other Senshi could have handled him until you had
allowed Sailor Moon to kill the Lemure." That was the spark that set off
a none-too-pleasant argument between the sisters that was soon ended by
their parents; nothing was solved, however, and neither girl spoke to
the other one for the next few days.

The incident also caused Misako's frustration at her lack of power to
flare up again. This time though, she didn't want power to outperform
her sister. She wanted offensive power so she could protect her sister
and the baby she hoped that would one day be her imouto.

                                 ******

The day the report cards were to arrive in the mail was unseasonably
warm. The sun shown down from the crystal clear blue sky; the snow that
had lain on the ground was slowly retreating and creating muddy patches.
As a younger Misako would have observed, a perfect day for playing
outside.

None of this even tempted ten year old Misako, though. Despite being in
the past, she had dawned one of her more formal dresses. Habit was hard
to break. In fact at first, she had expected Mizuno-sensei to be
delivering the report cards instead of them arriving by mail.

Misako was, unnaturally, pacing around the living room after breakfast
that morning. Her breakfast felt like a cold stone in the pit of her
stomach; her mind kept wandering back to her test questions she had
missed, to the dreaded art projects she had been forced to hand in.
Every second that seemed to tick off, bringing her closer to seeing her
report card, sounded more and more like a nail being driven into her
coffin.

Ikuko had soon given up on trying to reassure her niece. The little girl
didn't want to be reassured though. She had to do well; she didn't want
to face the disappointment of her parents or grandparents if she didn't
keep her high marks. All the old fears and worries came rushing forth
again. She had to tell herself that Chibi-Usa was her sister, the one
that loved her. Not the one that competed with her. Misako had helped
Chibi-Usa, was both proud of her sister, and concerned that her sister
hadn't done well; it would reflect badly upon her as onee. At about ten,
Ikuko walked into the living room and sighed. Walking over to the still
pacing girl, she gently grabbed Misako by the arms and held her still.
"Ne, you want to put a hole in my carpet?" Misako grinned sheepishly up
at her grandmother. "Your sister's lounged around in bed long enough.
Would you go up and get her, Miko-chan?"

"Hai," Misako responded and headed for the stairs. As she walked to the
bedroom, Misako thought, <How does 'Sagi do it?> She wished she could
sleep like her sister and not worry about her grades. <I'm turning into
Ami.> That thought made Misako shudder. The last thing she wanted was to
turn into Ami. Not that she didn't like Ami but there were limits how
far Misako was willing to dedicate herself to school. One thing coming
into the past had taught her, it was that working for an `A' average and
having no social life was not worth it.

As she gently pushed the door open, Misako heard the faint snoring
noises of her sister. "'Sagi," Misako called softly but there was no
response. Walking over to her sister, Misako nudged Chibi-Usa. "'Sagi,"
she called again. Her sister's snoring was the only response. <She could
sleep through an explosion...> A slow smile spread across her face.
<Better not use Luna-P.> Turning, she quietly left the room, headed
downstairs.

Misako returned five minutes later carrying both a huge anticipatory
grin and a glass containing eight ice cubes. <Kimeko used seven on me,
so it's eight to wake up my imouto,> Misako thought. Softly padding
over, Misako knelt next to her sister's futon. <Come on, 'Sagi, roll
over,> Misako thought as she poked her sister. Sure enough, Chibi-Usa
rolled over to her stomach. She froze as Chibi-Usa mumbled something and
snuggled deeper into her pillow. <That's it,> Misako thought. Slowly,
she reached up and grasped the zipper at the back of her sister's bunny
pajamas. <Why couldn't yours have a flap?> Misako thought, <It would
make this easier.> However, the sense of danger would be lessened as
well. Carefully, she pulled the zipper down, stopping when her sister
stirred.

<Here we go,> she thought as she held her breath. Carefully pulling
apart the two halves, Misako judged the space she had to work with and
frowned. <Not a lot... Well, I'll just have to toss them in and hope for
the best.> Picking up the glass of ice cubes, she brought it into
position and counted down, "Three... two.. one...!" In two quick
movements, she had tossed the ice cubes into the opening and zipped the
bunny pajamas back up.

Chibi-Usa bolted upright and then gave a screech of surprise.
Desperately running her hands at the back of her pajamas, she tried to
determine the source of the cold wetness. "WHAT DID YOU DO?!?" she
demanded of her grinning sister. Unzipping her pajamas, Chibi-Usa
quickly shrugged them off, "ICE CUBES!!!! What were ya tryin' to do,
Misako?!"

Before Misako could answer, the door swung open and Ikuko came rushing
into the room. "Nani?!?" she asked, "What happened?"

"I woke Chibi-Usa up just like you said, Ikuko-mama," Misako chirped
brightly.

"She put ice cubes down my pajamas," Chibi-Usa whined, "I was havin' a
nice dream too." <Pegasus was in it...>

Ikuko glared at Misako who looked innocently at her. "I said to wake her
up, not put ice cubes down her pajamas." Walking over, she hauled Misako
to her feet and said, "I suppose a day's grounding would ensure you
don't do it again."

"Iie Ikuko-mama," Chibi-Usa interrupted to both Ikuko's and Misako's
surprise, "I gotta better idea. 'Sides, I wanna play with Onee-chan
outside."

"Let's hear it," Ikuko directed. Chibi-Usa grinned; she was going to
love this!

                                 ******

<I'm going to hate this!> Misako thought in a wail. She was standing in
the corner with her bunny pajamas on. Ikuko had ordered her to change
out of her dress and into the bunny pajamas to undergo the punishment
that Chibi-Usa had devised. Her sister was behind her and grinning like
a wolf that'd just caught its next meal.

"TEN ice cubes 'cause you're ten, Onee-chan," Chibi-Usa reiterated
brightly, "Just like you did to me. You used eight ice cubes." She
pulled the zipper down and held the back opening of her sister's bunny
pajamas with her finger. "And ten minutes with them 'cause you're ten
and should know better." <Just like Ikuko-mama told you!> Looking over
her shoulder, Chibi-Usa called out, "Ready!"

"You may begin," Ikuko directed as she sat on a chair. With glee,
Chibi-Usa started dropping ice cubes one at a time into her sister's
pajamas. After the last one had been deposited, Chibi-Usa gave Misako's
rear a light swat before bounding away to watch the spectacle.

For the first minute or so, there was no visible sign. Then Misako
started to open and close her fists; slight shifting soon followed as
she became both cold and wet. Much to Chibi-Usa's satisfaction, Misako
began to blush furiously. As the seconds changed to minutes, it was
obvious that Misako was regretting the wake-up call she had used on her
sister and was feeling the effects of the coldness.

When Ikuko finally spoke, Misako felt a great sense of relief wash over
her. "That's ten minutes," Ikuko said, "Now, this is the end of this
type of behavior... both of you, ne?"

"Hai!" both girls responded.

After Ikuko had left the room, Chibi-Usa observed, "Ne, Onee-chan?"

"Nani?" Misako snapped in irritation that was directed more at herself
than Chibi-Usa.

"You look like you peed yourself." Misako gave a screech of protest and
launched herself at Chibi-Usa.

                                 ******

Early that afternoon, Ikuko walked into the living room and looked at
Chibi-Usa and Misako. Both little girls were standing in a corner facing
the wall. "Well girls, your report cards came." The air seemed to fill
with tension. Opening the first one, Ikuko read it over and smiled.
"Tsukino Usagi Serenity," Ikuko said to Chibi-Usa, "How could you ever
get such a grade?" Chibi-Usa's shoulders sagged and her gulping was
audible. "Come here, young lady," Ikuko directed, trying to keep the
smile from her voice. Sadly, slowly Chibi-Usa turned around and walked
towards what she thought was her doom.

"I really tried, Ikuko-mama," Chibi-Usa whined softly as she stared up
stern looking grandmother.

"Well, young lady, this grade leaves me with no choice..." Seeing her
niece pale, Ikuko relented. Kneeling, she hugged Chibi-Usa and said,
"Leaves me no choice but to be very proud of you." The little girl gave
her grandmother a look of confusion. "You got a `B' average!" Ikuko
declared, "And you even improved your history mark."

"Really?!" Chibi-Usa asked, her eyes growing wide, "Honest?" <Arigato,
Onee-chan.>

"Really, I'm so proud of you; Usagi will be very proud of you too." She
glanced over to where Misako as standing and remarked, "I bet even your
onee is proud of you." Giving Chibi-Usa a hug, Ikuko handed the little
girl her report card and then stood. "As for you, Tsukino Misako," Ikuko
said sternly, "Get over here."

"Hai," Misako responded and padded softly over to stand in front of her
grandmother. Head bowed, skin white, cheeks flushed in shame.

"I didn't expect these types of marks, especially in art." The little
girl shifted slightly and sniffled. "I don't know really what I can do;
to get any better, you'd have to study day and night." Another sniffle
accompanied this pronouncement. "I tell you, this `A-' average..."

"Nani?!" Misako questioned, her head coming up so she was looking at
Ikuko. "`A-'?"

"Of course, what was I suppose to expect from a very pretty and
intelligent young lady like you?" Ikuko smiled, "Beside, you had help
from a very smart and pretty young lady, too."

"Who?" Misako questioned and then answered, "My imouto!"

"Hai," Ikuko agreed and handed Misako her report card. After a moment,
both girls giggled and hugged each other.

                                 ******

Shortly after the report cards had been received, Makoto invited Misako
and Chibi-Usa over for a celebration dinner. Usagi had been invited but
the selected day turned out to be the one on which Mamoru was planning
to take Usagi out to dinner because of her efforts.

The day was already growing dark. The early February heat wave did not
last long and once again, the weather turned chilly. Misako sat on the
couch, hands folded in her lap. Lips thinned in irritation, eyes closed.
Hearing someone enter the room, she opened her eyes and saw her
grandfather looking at her.

"Are you sure you don't know where Chibi-Usa went, Miko-chan?"

"Iie Kenji-papa. When I left this morning, Chibi-Usa told me she'd be
waiting for me; when I got home, Chibi-Usa was gone."

Kenji ran a hand through his hair. <Okay, give Chibi-Usa half an hour.
Ikuko will be home by then.> Somehow though, he didn't think Chibi-Usa
had gone with Ikuko. She would have left him a note. <Maybe Chibi-Usa
went with Usagi.> "I'll give Chiba-san a call and see if Chibi-Usa's
over there." It still galled Kenji a bit that his little girl had been
dating behind his back but if she had to do it, better with Mamoru than
anybody else.

<She'd better not be. Dad was going to take Mom out to dinner,> Misako
thought.

Just as Kenji started towards the hallway, the front door banged open
and the very angry voice of Usagi could be heard commanding, "Get your
shoes off!" Misako scrambled from the couch and followed her grandfather
who raced into the hallway.

"Come on, Onee-san," Chibi-Usa whined, "The mark will fade."

"Once you have your shoes off, you can go to your room and stand in the
corner," Usagi ordered through clenched teeth.

"Usagi-chan?" Kenji questioned, "What happened?"

"My dear little cousin," Usagi responded, her voice dripping sarcasm,
"Did this." Sweeping back the hair from her forehead, Usagi pointed at
the large red circle. Both Kenji and Misako each raised an eyebrow in
curiosity but Usagi wasn't finished with her explanation. "And she did
it with this!" With that, Usagi snatched up the dart gun where she had
"placed" it when she had entered the house.

"I gotta go over to Mako-chan's," Chibi-Usa replied. Turning to Misako,
she said, "Onee-chan, I'll be right down."

"Freeze!" Usagi commanded as she put all the authority she could muster
into her voice.

"Usagi-chan," Kenji said, "Did you leave Chiba-san's?" Usagi nodded, her
fists clenched, eyes blazing with fury. "Why don't you go back to his
place and you two can spend a nice evening together." Usagi looked like
she was going to protest this. <She's out for blood,> he thought. "Go
on, Usagi. No reason to punish Mamoru-kun, ne? Just be back before your
curfew."

"Hai," Usagi said after a brief pause, "Okay Dad, I'll see you later
tonight." Quickly moving to hug Misako, she said, "You have fun at
Makoto's." With that, she dashed out the door.

"Miko-chan, when you're ready, you may head over to Makoto's. Give me a
call when you get there."

"Hai Kenji-papa," Misako said, "Should I wait for Chibi-Usa?"

"Iie..."

"Nani?!?" Chibi-Usa questioned, "Kenji-papa..."

"Young lady, do as Usagi told you. Upstairs and into the corner." Kenji
directed, "Go on, I'll be up in a minute or so to talk to you."
Chibi-Usa turned and headed for the stairs muttering darkly. He gave
Misako a smile and said, "As I was saying, don't wait for Chibi-Usa."

<That's just great,> Misako thought, <Mom's evening is ruined. I bet
Makoto will be disappointed that Chibi-Usa can't come. So what's going
to happen to me?> With her luck, she was sure something was going to
happen to her.

                                 ******

Misako swirled her biscuit around her bowl to remove the remaining ice
cream before popping it her mouth and chewing contentedly. She smiled
and closed her eyes, trying to savor every ounce of the delicious taste.
<This stuff is yummy!> Misako thought, <I wonder why Makoto never makes
it? This is only the second time I've had it.> "Arigato, Makoto-san, it
was sugoi." Misako rubbed her tummy contentedly and added, "I mean all
of it was sugoi... even the carrots." <Makoto's sneaky, hidin' those
carrots like she did.>

The smile Makoto gave her guest was radiant. "Arigato, Miko-chan," she
replied, "I love to cook. I used to help Mom and then later, I used to
make meals on my own for my parents." <I bet I make great meals for
Sakuya and her mother.> Finishing off her own dessert, Makoto gathered
up the dishes and walked into the kitchen. Misako got up and followed
her. "Wash or dry?"

"Hmmm... dry," Misako answered after a moment's thought, "I wouldn't want
to break any of your dishes." Makoto grinned slightly and set about
filling the sink with water and dish soap.

It was quiet in the kitchen for a few minutes except for the sloshing of
water, the clanking of dishes, and Makoto humming happily. After a while
though, Makoto fell silent and then turned to look at Misako. "You're a
good helper." Misako beamed proudly. "I'm surprised that you know how to
wash dishes and cook."

"Why not?" Misako questioned while trying not to sound too indignant.
"Small Lady cooks."

The teen's eyebrows raised in surprise and she gave a soft whistle.
"Kami-sama, whatever your sister did has got you really irked at her."
Misako didn't respond. Instead, the little girl set about her drying
tasks with vigor. Makoto sighed and explained, "I mean you're a
princess. I know Chibi-Usa can cook because she wants to run a good
home. That means she needs to know how to cook, ne?"

"I guess so," Misako agreed. Stopping her efforts, she said meekly,
"Gomen, Makoto-san. I know you weren't tryin' to be mean." Chewing on
her bottom lip for a moment, she added, "The Queen and Dad think chores
are important, at least, for Small Lady; I just get the leftovers."

Makoto lowered the pot she had been cleaning and stared at Misako. "`The
Queen and Dad'?!?" she questioned after a brief pause, "Don't you mean
`Mom and Dad'?"

"Iie," Misako snapped stubbornly.

"Okay, time out, Miko-chan," Makoto declared. Letting the pot sink back
into the water, she wiped her hands and took Misako's dish towel and the
plate she had been drying and sat them on the counter. Misako looked
with some apprehension at Makoto as the older girl lifted her from the
stepstool before taking her hand and guiding her into the living room.

Sitting down on the couch, Makoto directed that Misako should do the
same. "Okay, do you want to explain that last comment?" Silence was her
only response as Misako looked at the ground. "Do you want to hurt
Usagi?" Makoto questioned; she could feel her irritation rising.

"Iie," Misako squeaked softly, "I don't want to hurt Mommy."

Makoto blinked in confusion. Pinching the bridge of her nose, Makoto
said, "Okay, let me get this straight... Usagi is Mommy but Neo-Queen
Serenity isn't?" Another silence that only increased Makoto's confusion
and irritation. "You know, Misako, if you don't tell me something, I'll
have to tell Usagi."

"Iie, please don't, Makoto-san," Misako begged, "It's just... I just
can't tell you anything." <I wish I could, though.> She was starting to
feel guilty and blushed slightly. "Gomen."

"Are you afraid I'll tell Usagi?" Makoto asked gently. Misako slowly
nodded. "Miko-chan," she said while taking the young girl's hands, "I
care about Usagi a lot. If something is going to hurt her, I want to
protect her." Gently stroking Misako's hair, she added, "I think this
has been building up a long time or you wouldn't've said anything."

Misako looked towards the ground. <What am I going to say? I am kinda
confused but...> "Small Lady is `the Queen's imouto'," Misako stated
suddenly, "I'm just her daughter... but I don't want to be her daughter.
Mommy doesn't have an imouto; she has an otouto."

Furrowing her brow, Makoto tried to untangle what she had just heard.
After a moment, she remarked, "You mean that Chibi-Usa sometimes calls
her mom `Onee'?"

"Hai."

"Does that bother you?" Makoto questioned.

There was a long pause before Misako answered. Lifting eyes that were
misted to look at Makoto, she squeaked, "Hai," she swallowed then, "If I
called Okaa-san that, I'd be in really big trouble. Small Lady gets away
with everything." Makoto leaned back into the couch and ran a hand
through her hair. "I don't know why Small Lady has to have an onee. She
isn't a very good onee to me."

"Nani?"

<How much can I say?> Misako thought, <How much can I trust Makoto not
to tell Mommy?> "Small Lady never wants to be around me; she treats me
like I'm a baby." Feeling the lump in her throat form, Misako sniffled
and swallowed again. "Nobody ever notices me. It's always `Usagi' or
`The Crown Princess'." Misako felt the older anger rise within her. It
was directed though towards her sister's future self, not the little
girl that truly loved her. "Nobody but Daddy and Kimeko care about me."

"What about me, Miko-chan?" Makoto questioned sharply, "I certainly care
about you now. I doubt I'd ever change my mind."

Misako shrugged. "Like I said, Makoto-san, Small Lady gets away with
everything and Okaa-san lets her because she's older."

"And just what do I let Chibi-Usa do that I don't let you do?" Again,
silence was her answer. Gritting her teeth, Makoto breathed deeply.
<Okay think, Mako, think.> After a moment or so, a strange sensation
came over her. "You're talking about `Mako-chan', ne?"

"Hai," Misako admitted reluctantly while blushing, "I gotta be polite
but Small Lady calls you `Mako-chan' all the time." Makoto scowled then
and Misako added, "I don't mind calling you `Makoto-san'. You're my
elder but also, because you are a Senshi. I guess I'm just being silly."

"So you want me to let you call me `Mako-chan'?"

"Iie," Misako answered sounding scandalized. Twisting her fingers, she
sat silently for a moment before saying, "I wanna earn that..."

"Oh..." Makoto said, comprehension dawning in her eyes. Rubbing her chin
for a moment, Makoto thought, <Well I can't do much about the Usagi
thing and I'm not gonna say anything. Now if Usagi asks me, that's a
different matter.> Makoto also didn't fully understand whether Misako
was directing her anger at her sister's future self, her mother's future
self, or both. "So what would you like then?"

Ducking her head and blushing furiously, Misako mumbled out, "I just
want Small Lady to get the same treatment I get. I want to be somebody
instead of just the Crown Princess' kid sister."

"Do you know the one thing that you need?" Makoto asked.

"A hug?" Misako questioned.

"Okay, make that two things you need," Makoto amended, "Do you know what
they are?" Misako shook her head. "The first thing is a good swift kick
in the rear." She smiled internally as Misako's eyes enlarged with
surprise. "To the people that count, including ME, you're a lot more
than just the Crown Princess' kid sister." Misako gave her a dubious
expression so she added, "And if it takes a swift kick in the rear to
get that into your head, then I'm just the person to do it."

"Wh-What's the second thing?" Misako said timidly.

"That depends," Makoto responded smoothly, "On whether or not you still
think I don't care about you."

Misako chewed on her lower lip for a moment before saying softly, "Gomen
Makoto-san, I guess I thought that 'cause you've been busy with Sakuya."
She smiled sheepishly then.

Reaching slowly over, Makoto drew the little girl into a hug and said,
"The second thing you need is a hug. A great big one." Hugging Misako
tightly for a moment, Makoto added, "You know, Miko-chan, if you don't
talk to Chibi-Usa about what you feel, she won't know what's bothering
you." Sobering suddenly, Makoto said, "I'd like you to think about
talking to Usagi as well."

"Why?" The question was whispered.

"Because she loves you and would be hurt if she knew you were hurting
too." Misako was silent then; she wasn't sure how she felt about that.
Wasn't sure if she wanted to talk to her mother about all the trouble
that had been going on in the future. It would be hard enough talking to
Chibi-Usa without giving away a lot of potentially dangerous
information.

End of Chapter 19

Coming next in Chapter 20 - We Ain't in Crystal Tokyo Anymore