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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 23 - On the Other Side

Aino Shoko frowned as she tugged at the tattered remains of her
daughter's dress. "Minako, what on earth was she doing?" Shoko asked her
daughter. Minako shifted uncomfortably and glanced towards her father
who wasn't looking particularly happy either. Giving her "youngest
daughter" a hard look, Shoko asked, "Ne Kimeko-chan, what were you up to
today?"

Kimeko, feeling very uncomfortable, said softly, "Nothin' Mommy."
Shifting close to her real mother, more in an attempt to get away from
her obviously upset grandmother, Kimeko hugged Minako's leg. "Honest, we
was just playin'."

Nobu frowned and then stated, "Well supper's almost ready. Minako, take
your imouto up and get her changed into some new clothes."

"Hai Otou-san," Minako chirped, a broad grin coming over her face, "Come
on, Kimeko-chan." After Kimeko took the hand that she was offered,
Minako guided her "sister" out of the room.

"I don't get it, Shoko," Nobu commented after his daughters had left the
room, "What were those two up to? I'm surprised that Minako would let
Kimeko do whatever she did."

"And you aren't guilty of that, Nobu?" Shoko admonished good-naturedly,
"You know when it comes to Kimeko, you give in as much as Minako." Nobu
snorted but then grinned. "We'll probably find out about it sooner or
later." They always did.

"I suppose it could have been climbing," Nobu remarked, "Minako was
always climbing stuff when she was little."

"True, likely tore it on a fence or something," Shoko agreed as she
headed for the stairs. <Minako was always rambunctious. Kimeko's just
like her onee. I'll have to tell Minako to keep a closer eye on Kimeko.
We don't want Kimeko getting up on the roof like the time...>

                                 ******

It had taken some time to coax Mamoru out of his bedroom. It took even
longer to convince him that the situation his eyes presented him with
was not an illusion. "Gomen nasai, Otou-san," Misako said and bowed her
head, "I didn't mean to surprise you like that."

"That's okay, Miko-chan," Mamoru replied weakly, "I just panicked; I saw
your sobo coming after me with a knife." Usagi scowled along with Misako
while Chibi-Usa giggled. "I still don't understand why you don't stay
with Kino-san, though."

"Because..." Usagi began with some exasperation, "I want Misako to stay
with one of her parents. I appreciate what Makoto was offering but I
think Misako needs to stay with a parent and YOU'RE it."

"Please Daddy?" Misako questioned as she leaned over and tightly hugged
her father. "Don't you want to help me?" she questioned in a small voice
while blinking.

"You know I'd help you, Misako..." Mamoru paused, "But I think maybe if
you stayed with Kino-san, it would be better."

Sliding up onto his lap, Usagi hugged Mamoru while saying, "Please
Mamo-chan? I'd really like for Misako, OUR daughter, to stay with one of
her parents. This is all so new to her and she might get scared. If she
was with Makoto, I think I'd worry more than if she was with you."

"Usako..." Mamoru started to say but then he looked deeply into her
eyes. His girlfriend was now an exceptionally kawaii little girl and
those eyes...

"Please Mamo-chan?" Usagi questioned, her eyes becoming puppy-dog-like.

Mamoru could feel his resistance slipping away. <How can I say iie to
her now?> Sighing, unable to fend off her "kawaii attack", he conceded,
"Okay, Misako can stay here."

"SUGOI!" Usagi replied while bouncing up and hugging Mamoru around his
neck. "Oh yeah... by the way... You're dating Chibi-Usa."

"NANI?!?!" Mamoru shouted while taking on a terrified expression.
Chibi-Usa giggled as her father paled. He seriously considered heading
for the safety of his locked bedroom once again.

                                 ******

As she sat at her seat at the dining room table, Usagi swung her feet
back and forth. She gave a squeak of surprise as someone rumpled her
hair. Quickly looking around, she saw Shingo moving over to take his
place at the table. "Hiya Shingo-kun!" Usagi said loudly. <I suppose I
could call him `Onii-chan'.> She giggled at that. <Why am I so hyper all
of a sudden?> It felt like she was full of energy, even after running
from the corner to her house. <That was a long way away.> Being small
made things seem so far away!

Shingo grinned and observed, "You're all worked up today, Chibi-Usa.
What did you do?"

"Chiba-san fed her sugar," Kenji answered his son's question as he
walked into the room carrying two bowls.

"Nuh-uh!" Usagi protested, "Dad, you know he didn't give me nothin' to
eat!" She crossed her arms and pouted slightly. "Not even a cookie!"

"Chibi-Usa-chan," Kenji said with a smile, "I'm your oji. Call me
Kenji-papa. I mean you wouldn't want your daddy thinking that you forgot
about him, ne?"

"Iie Kenji-papa," Usagi replied while shaking her head rapidly. Her
"uncle" chuckled as he placed the bowls he was carrying down on the
table. "That smells good," Usagi observed as the smells of food wafted
up to her nose.

"Really?" Shingo asked surprised, "But I thought..." he trailed off as
he saw the look his father was giving him.

"Thought what, Onii-chan?" Usagi questioned before giggling. <I guess
this ain't so bad.> Her stomach rumbled and she giggled again. "Come on,
Imou..."

"Chibi-Usa-chan, show some respect to your cousin," Kenji admonished.

"Gomen," Usagi squeaked, "Come on, Onee-sama," she directed towards
Chibi-Usa, "Come sit down so we can eat!" <Kami-sama, why are Mom and
Dad making me call her `Onee-sama' or `Usagi-sama'? They never wanted
Chibi-Usa to call me that!> Usagi pouted.

"Just hang on, Imouto," Chibi-Usa giggled herself. "Eew, carrots!" she
squawked as she finally noticed the bowl of carrots on the table.

"Where?" Usagi questioned. From her new lower vantagepoint, she could
see the bowls but not their contents. "I hate carrots!" she declared in
agreement with her daughter.

"There, Chibi-Usa-chan, right in front of you," Chibi-Usa pointed while
ignoring Kenji's scowl. Sitting down, she added in a mock whisper, "I
tried to get rid of them but Ik... Mom wouldn't let me." Seeing Usagi
making a sour face, Chibi-Usa asked, "What's the matter?"

"I thought they smelled good," Usagi whined, "I don't wanna eat carrots!
They're evil things!"

As it turned out, she had to eat her carrots or else there would be no
dessert. The only consolation was that Chibi-Usa was also "forced" to
eat some carrots as well. The reason being it set a good example for her
little cousin. Two things troubled Usagi: Firstly was that she couldn't
eat as much as her teen brain said she wanted. The second problem was
her body. She was finding it difficult to eat the way she used to; in
fact, she created more of a mess than she usually did. There was one
bonus though, her parents didn't yell as much as she had expected them
to.

"Oh Chibi-Usa," Ikuko moaned as she wiped the little girl's mouth, "I
knew you liked chocolate but not enough to try and take a bath in it."
Usagi just grinned up at her mother happily.

"What a mess," Chibi-Usa observed, "Boy, am I glad I don't have to clean
this up." She became nervous as Kenji and Ikuko glanced at each other.
"Nani?"

"Well you do have the mess to clean up, honey," Kenji observed, "You DO
have to give Chibi-Usa a bath."

"A bath?" Chibi-Usa asked in shock.

"A bath?!?" Usagi echoed. When Ikuko nodded, Usagi howled, "I DON'T
WANNA BATH!!!!"

"Why not?!" Ikuko questioned over the noise. <Why is Usagi acting so
strange?>

"'Cause... I don't wanna go to bed!" Usagi pouted. <I'm not baka. I know
how this works!>

                                 ******

"Ne, Usagi?" Usagi called to Chibi-Usa from the furo.

"Usagi-sama," Chibi-Usa corrected as she started to undress.

"Nani?" Usagi questioned, "We're alone."

"I'm the grownup. I called you `Onee-san'. Your Ikuko-mama and
Kenji-papa want you to call me `Usagi-sama' or `Onee-sama' so it'd be
better if you did. 'Sides, it's only fair."

"Hai, ONEE-SAMA," Usagi giggled. <I suppose she's right.> Then she
remarked, "This is a kid's privilege, ne? Why don't you come and paddle
around a little bit." She was doing laps in the now very large furo.
"SUGOI!" she squeaked. This was much more fun than her normal baths. "I
still don't want to go to bed, though."

Chibi-Usa was oblivious to her mother's voice; she was intently looking
at her unclothed body in a full-length mirror. <The body I've always
dreamed of... Soft chest...> Chibi-Usa thought with a soft smile as she
traced her hands across her front, <Long legs and arms...> The smile
slipped away from her face as she then sadly thought, <I'm not little
anymore, but still, Pegasus won't look at me.>

"What's the matter, Chibi-Usa-chan?" Usagi questioned softly, "You look
so sad."

"Nothing," Chibi-Usa said as she turned and walked over to the furo.
"I'm Usagi, remember Chibi-Usa?" she questioned Usagi who nodded.

"Gomen," Usagi said, "Now are you coming in?"

"Hai," Chibi-Usa responded, "But, I don't think I could swim in here.
It's a little small for me." She carefully lowered herself into the
soothing warmth of the water and was surprised as Usagi slid to sit
beside her.

"You know you can talk to me, Mesume," Usagi said softly, "I might be
little now but I'm still your mom." Chibi-Usa shifted uncomfortably so
she added, "I just don't like to see any of my daughters upset."

"I know... it's just... I don't know what to say," Chibi-Usa tried to
explain softly. "I... I guess I don't know what's going on."

A comfortable silence fell between them as each girl considered their
own thoughts. As time passed, Usagi was finding it increasingly
difficult to keep her eyes open; her head soon started to dip as she
struggled to keep her eyelids open. She felt as if she was in a nice
warm bed, like she could pull the covers up around her and snuggle deep
into the bed before falling asleep.

"If you're that tired, Chibi-Usa-chan, why don't you go to bed?"
Chibi-Usa questioned as Usagi started to rest her head against
Chibi-Usa's chest. Her only response was a burble from Usagi about not
wanting to go to bed. <But I wanted to stay in here for awhile.> She was
going to call her grandmother but then reconsidered. <Ikuko-mama will
likely tell me that I need to do it 'cause I'm her onee and that's one
of my jobs.> Sighing, Chibi-Usa carefully levered herself out of the
furo while ensuring that Usagi wouldn't slip below the water.

Quickly toweling herself off, Chibi-Usa donned a bathrobe before lifting
Usagi carefully out of the furo. "Okay Imouto, now just stay there while
I get you a towel," she directed. She had just turned away for a moment
and had taken a hold of a clean towel when she heard the thump. Quickly
turning back, she blinked. "What are you doing?" she questioned.

"It's cold," Usagi sleepily mumbled out and tried to draw an imaginary
towel around her.

"Come on," Chibi-Usa prompted but Usagi just rolled over to lie on her
stomach. <Great!> Chibi-Usa muttered, <Okay, how hard can this be? I bet
Mommy and Daddy used to do this to me when I was really little.>
Tentatively, she started to dry off the little girl. As she quickly
found out, it was not as simple as it first appeared. Drying Usagi off
wasn't as difficult as drying her off without waking her up. "There,"
Chibi-Usa muttered as she securely wrapped the towel around the sleeping
Usagi, "Now to get you into some pajamas." Lifting the little girl up,
Chibi-Usa headed for Usagi's room.

                                 ******

"Kimeko!" Minako yelled, "Come back here and get into your pajamas!"

"Iie!" Kimeko yelled, "I don't wanna go to bed!" <It's only seven-thirty
for Kami's sake!> She gave a yelp of surprise as her grandfather jumped
out in front of her. "IIE!" she cried as she backpedaled, "I'm not ready
for bed! I'm twenty!" <Oh Kami-sama, why don't you just tell them
everything!> Kimeko thought, <I can't go to bed now. I gotta save the
future!>

"Kimeko-chan," Nobu lectured softly, "It's already well past your
bedtime. Now it's time you went to bed. Go do as your onee tells you."

<I can't waste time. What if it's already too late? Misako has to go
back to being a kid and come home!> She could feel the frustration
building within her again. <I will NOT cry!> "I gotta do s'mthin',
Mommy!" she declared. <Why a four year old?> They just didn't have the
vocabulary she needed, as if she could really say anything!

"Come on, sweetheart," Shoko said from behind her, "You've had a big day
and you missed your nap this afternoon."

"Yea come on, Kimeko-chan," Minako chimed in from her left, "Come on and
we'll get you ready for bed." <Please tell me she won't be like this
when she's little!>

"I DON'T WANNA GO TO BED!" Kimeko howled. She darted off to the right as
all three grownups immediately chased after her. She then gave a
screech, which was mixed with a yowl of surprise by Artemis, as Kimeko
tripped over the Lunar Cat. When she landed on the ground, the air was
knocked from Kimeko who lay still.

Shoko and Nobu looked on with worried shock as Kimeko just continued to
lie there. Minako was also stunned, her heart was beating furiously
against her chest wall. Then the most beautiful sound came to her ears.
Kimeko was crying at the top of her lungs as she rolled over to her back
and started to pound the floor with her tiny hands and feet.

"At least she's alive!" Shoko muttered out.

Minako ignored the comment and darted forward. Scooping up her daughter
in a tight hug, she started soothing the little girl. "What are you
doing, Kimeko?" she whispered, "Two temper tantrums in one day?!" <I
know she has to act four for Mom and Dad but this is ridiculous.>

"Mo... I..." Kimeko started. <I'm pissed off and I don't think my
grandparents... or Mom would go for some of the swear words Onii-chan
taught me.> As far as she was concerned, the situation stunk!

It took Minako another ten minutes to calm her daughter and to get her
into a set of bunny pajamas. Both her parents allowed Minako to handle
the situation after Kimeko had shown signs of being okay. If there was
one thing that Minako took seriously, it was her responsibilities as
Kimeko's onee. Given that was one of the very few things Minako took
seriously, Shoko and Nobu weren't about to take that away from their
eldest daughter.

                                 ******

"Are you all right, Mesume?" Mamoru questioned as she watched Misako
wipe her brow.

"Hai, Daddy, it just seems so hot." Grabbing the front of her dress, she
pulled it in a fanning motion. "I think that water's really hot."

"It is," Mamoru observed as he tested the water, "Mix some cold water
in."

"'Kay," she chirped, "You know, I think this dress likes the heat. I bet
it's made for the winter time." Stretching, Misako allowed the water to
cool a little. "Are you okay?" she asked her father, "You look real
funny."

"I'm fine, Mesume," Mamoru replied, "Nothing to worry about." <Maybe I
can get Usagi to agree to let Misako move in with Makoto.>

The kitchen was silent for several minutes except for the klinking of
dishes. It was when she was almost done washing that Misako commented,
"Supper was really good; I just wish we coulda watched Mom eat today."

"Why?"

"Sobo was serving chocolate for dessert." This brought a smirk to
Misako's face. "If Mom's like me, she'll be covered in the stuff like I
was at my fifth birthday." She snickered then as she remembered herself
sitting in the huge tub of chocolate ice cream.

Mamoru chuckled as well at that thought. "Hai, that was certainly a
party to remember."

"I thought I was really gonna get it," Misako observed, "Sobo was really
mad." There was a long pause and then Misako blurted out, "I know!" She
didn't notice the panicked expression that flitted her father's face.
"Let's go to a bar!"

"NANI?!" Mamoru choked out while nearly dropping the bowl he had been
drying.

"Well Daddy, adults always make a big deal out of going to a bar. Since
I'm grown up now, I can finally go and see what the big deal's about."

"Iie," Mamoru stated firmly.

"But Daddy... I'm an adult now," Misako whined while indicating her body
with a sweeping motion, "It ain't like we'll get into trouble."

"Wrong Misako, we would. Not only would Usagi kill me, but also my moral
conscience wouldn't let you near a bar looking like that."

"What's wrong with the way I look?" Misako questioned in an indignant
tone. <I thought I was pretty just like Mommy and Kimeko.>

"N-nothing," Mamoru stuttered out. <How the hell am I gonna explain
this? Where's Usagi when I need her?!> He would not have been encouraged
to learn that his girlfriend was currently dreaming of a chocolate
sundae that was taller than she was. "You look beautiful..."

"Then we should be able to get in, no problem," Misako countered.
Leaning forward, she wrapped her arms around her father. While hugging
him, she pleaded, "Please Otou-san???" She let her eyes droop while she
took on a very sad expression.

Mamoru gulped again while trying not to look in an inappropriate
direction. She was not as kawaii as she was at ten but she had grown
quite beautiful. "Misako, I said we couldn't go. You might LOOK like an
adult but you really are only ten..."

"Ten and a half," Misako muttered out.

"Whether you're ten and a half or fifteen and a half, you're still not
old enough to go into bars."

"But I hear they have really great music. What's the big deal? We'll do
a little dancing... I like dancing," Misako questioned. <I can finally
dance and not hurt my neck looking up at everyone.> "Please?!?" she
begged, "Pretty, pretty please?"

"Uh, Miko-chan, I gotta take a shower," Mamoru suddenly stated. Setting
the bowl down with a clang, Mamoru hurried from the room and into the
bathroom where he shut and locked the door.

Misako sighed, shook her head, and turned back to wash the rest of the
dishes. <That's the second shower he's taken today. I hope Dad's not
turning into a neat freak or anything.> After a few moments, Misako
sighed while thinking, <I shouldn't've done that. I'm supposed to be an
adult. Well maybe Dad will let me stay up and watch that movie I've been
begging Mom to let me see.> She smirked before saying to herself, "I
don't believe it'll be scary enough to frighten Metallia... unless it
had a lot of kawaii little moon bunnies!" She giggled then.

"What are you laughing at, Miko-chan?" Mamoru asked from behind her.

Giving a yelp of surprise, Misako spun around, a frying pan held at the
ready for an attack. "DADDY!" she protested then took several breaths to
calm herself. "Daddy?" she questioned softly, "I'll make you a deal; I
promise I won't ask to go to a bar anymore..."

"If?" Mamoru prompted warily.

"If, you let me stay up and watch a movie."

"What movie?"

"It's called `Usagi no Hi'."

"I don't know..." Mamoru said doubtfully, "That doesn't sound like a
show for little kids." No sooner had the words left his mouth then he
braced for an explosion but none came.

"Dad," Misako began. <I have to act like an adult...> "Please? I mean
how bad a movie could it be if it's got a fluffy white bunny in it?"
When Mamoru nodded slowly, she gave a squeal of delight and gave her
father a wet hug. "Excellent!" she declared, "I'll go get ready for
bed." With that, she dashed into the bedroom before dashing into the
bathroom.

"Somehow, I think I'm going to regret this," Mamoru muttered to himself
as he went to see if he could find any information about this film.

                                 ******

Aino Kimeko opened her eyes just as the sun started to stir from its
watery bed. <What am I going to do?> she thought, <How am I supposed to
fix the future like this?!> Her thoughts were interrupted by the urgent
need to use the bathroom. After carefully slipping from the bed, as not
to disturb her mother, Kimeko slipped from the room.

A feeling of nervousness came over Kimeko and she angrily shook it off
as she marched purposefully down the hallway. <I won't feel scared
because there's nothing out here to be scared of!> she thought firmly.
Upon reaching the bathroom door, Kimeko turned and boldly stuck her
tongue out at the shadows that seemed to be shifting. Her courage fled
just as quickly as it had arrived and she darted into the bathroom
before shutting the door quickly.

A short time later, Kimeko peeked out of the bathroom before quickly
withdrawing her head back inside. "This is ridiculous!" she muttered to
herself as she paced back and forth across the floor. "I'm almost
twenty-one. How hard can it be just to walk down the hall and go back to
bed?" Just the thought though made her shiver slightly. "They're just
shadows." Yes, they were just shadows, with teeth and fangs and a
penchant for eating little girls, especially those that boldly stuck
their tongue out at them.

"I can't stay in here all day," Kimeko complained to the room at large.
Just then, a knock came at the door. Nervously, she approached the door
softly, reached up, and opened it. Relief washed over her as she saw
that it was her mother at the door.

"Ne Kimeko-chan," Minako said sleepily, "What are you up to?"

"Nothin' Onee-san," Kimeko squeaked innocently.

"Well it's early. Let's go back to bed," Minako countered while bending
over to lift her daughter up. Hugging Kimeko close, she turned and
walked down the hallway, back to the bedroom.

<Maybe this is the choice that the adult Misako told me about. I know
that Chibi-Usa and Usagi go back to normal but what about Misako and I?>
Kimeko pondered. There had been no mention of either Younger Venus or
Chibi-Earth switching ages in the history books. <What if we never
change back? Then Misako would never go back to being a little girl. She
would be an adult, and that would certainly make it more difficult on
Mamoru.> An even worse thought struck her, <What if Misako and I being
here means none of us can go back to our normal ages?!>

"What are you thinking about?" Minako questioned as she first settled
Kimeko and then herself back into bed.

"Nothin'," Kimeko answered after a long pause. <I wish I could tell you,
Mom. You could help me with this.> Snuggling closer, Kimeko rested her
head on Minako's arm while hugging her mother with her left arm. <I just
don't know what to do.>

"I'll try and help you, Mesume. All you have to do is tell me what the
problem is," Minako asked softly.

<I wish it were that simple,> Kimeko thought. "I'm sleepy, Mom," Kimeko
said aloud while snuggling closer to her mother. <Things were so much
simpler when I was really this age.> How could she return to a future
that was so grim? How could she go back to a future and act as
incompetent as what she seemed to be? <I can't...> Yet she had to find
some way to return the future to the way it had to be. <I just can't
take away the happiness that Sakuya finally found. I can't take away all
the good that the future can hold.>

Feeling the frustration building, Kimeko stuck her thumb in her mouth
and closed her eyes. <I can't believe I actually like this!> she thought
while blushing slightly. It was certainly embarrassing to be sucking her
thumb; on the other hand, in some strange way, it was very soothing and
felt almost... natural.

                                 ******

Sucking on her lower lip, Misako slowly peeked around the corner of the
living room. She saw her father standing beside the balcony door,
looking out over the slowly awakening city of Tokyo. Slowly she stepped
out and asked softly, "Otou-san?" Mamoru turned to regard his daughter
before turning back to stare outside. "Are you really mad at me?"

Mamoru didn't move for several seconds before turning to look at Misako.
"I'm... upset that you tricked me," he said softly, "That movie was
definitely not for a young lady like you."

"You turned it off," Misako countered meekly, "You know that I agreed
with you. That was scary." <I didn't know adults could have nightmares.>
Well her mother claimed to have nightmares but they usually involved
some type of food.

"It just isn't that, Misako. You knew that the movie was for adults
before hand," Mamoru stated sternly, "Your mother specifically told you
that you could NOT watch that movie. You set me against Usagi."

"I know," Misako replied as she walked over to stand before her father.
<I suppose that wasn't fair of me.> "But Daddy... look at me? Aren't I
an adult? I have to act like an adult."

"You only LOOK like an adult, Misako. Looking and acting like an adult
are two different things," Mamoru said while frowning, "Yes, you have to
act like an adult, but out in public only. You are really only ten. That
doesn't mean you get to do adult things unless it's to keep up
appearances."

"Gomen nasai, Otou-san," Misako replied and bowed her head, "What can I
do to make it up to you?"

"First, don't be so dishonest," Mamoru began, "Second, after this gets
all sorted out, I want you to tell your mother what you did, Miko-chan."

"But Daddy, she'll kill me," Misako protested.

"Well either you can tell her, or I will." He smiled as Misako grumbled
for a moment and then nodded. "The last thing you can do is help me make
breakfast."

"Hai," Misako agreed, "Then I want to go and see Mom. I gotta ask her
somethin'." A wicked grin came across Misako's face as she tightened her
hug. "Unless you'd like to answer my question." She giggled as her
father paled and gulped.

                                 ******

Chibi-Usa yawned, stretched, and got up. "Pegasus!" she called
pleadingly, "Pegasus!" As before, there was no response. <Why have you
gone away? Where'd you go?> Chibi-Usa thought. Sadly, she carefully left
her room. Softly walking down the hall, she passed by her mother's room
and went downstairs. "Ohayo Mom," she greeted her grandmother.

"Ohayo... Where's Chibi-Usa?" Ikuko asked.

"Ah... asleep," Chibi-Usa replied with a giggle.

"Well go and wake her up," Ikuko directed. After giving her daughter a
strange look, she asked, "Are you feeling all right, Mesume?"

"Hai, why?"

"Because Usagi, it's like you've forgotten all your chores. It's like
you suddenly grew up."

"Oh," Chibi-Usa said while placing a hand behind her head, "I just have
a lot on my mind, Okaa-san."

"Did he?" Ikuko questioned with a gleam of anticipation in her eyes.
Seeing the confused look on Chibi-Usa's face, she elaborated, "Did
Chiba-san finally ask you to marry him?"

"NANI?!?" Chibi-Usa questioned in a shocked tone, "Marry... me?!?"

"Well who else would he marry, Usagi?" Ikuko questioned, "I mean he is
YOUR boyfriend."

"I... I think I'll go and get Chibi-Usa up," Chibi-Usa stuttered out and
dashed up the stairs, leaving a very bewildered Ikuko in her wake.

                                 ******

Kimeko was aware of the looks that both her grandparents were giving
her. Finally, she couldn't stand it and asked, "Nani?" Both Nobu and
Shoko blinked before looking at each other and then back to her. "You're
lookin' at me."

"You're being very good this morning, Mesume," Shoko remarked, "In fact,
I thought your father and I would come down to see the floor covered in
cereal."

"Why?" Minako and Kimeko questioned at the same time.

"Because Kimeko ALWAYS thinks she can get her own breakfast," Nobu
answered, "I'm surprised she's actually eating something healthy,
usually all she wants is sweets."

"Quit teasin' me, Daddy," Kimeko said while pouting slightly.

"Am I teasing you?" Nobu asked as he reached over and tickled Kimeko who
squealed in protest.

"Onee-san, save me!" Kimeko pleaded.

"All right, you three, this isn't the time to play. Minako-chan, finish
up your breakfast and then, you can take Kimeko out for a little while.
Make sure she's home by one so she can take her nap though."

"I don't need a nap, Mommy," Kimeko protested.

"You'll be taking your regular nap and I won't hear any arguments out of
you," Shoko said firmly, "Besides, Kimeko-chan, you don't have to take
one until this afternoon."

"I'm notta little kid. I don't need a nap!" Kimeko complained under her
breath but seeing the look that her grandmother was giving her, she
decided to say, "Hai Mommy." <I hate being a little kid.>

                                 ******

"Daddy?" Misako called from the bedroom, "Could you help me?"

"With what, Miko-chan?" Mamoru questioned warily, "It isn't like that
last thing, ne?"

"Iie," came the exasperated voice of Misako, "I promise. I just can't
get this zipper." Mamoru carefully walked to the bedroom door and saw
Misako standing a bright yellow minidress.

"Are you sure you want to wear that?" he questioned as he noticed how
short the dress hung on her. "Won't your legs get cold?"

"Daddy," Misako explained, "I'm going out with you today. I want to look
nice. Besides, there might be some boys I want to impress," Misako
replied with a grin. She could see her father's scowl of disapproval and
started to giggle, her mirth grew as her father's scowl deepened. "Oh
come on, Daddy, I'm just joshing." <There's only one boy I'd want to
impress...> A small sigh escaped her lips as she thought of Senji. <He
can really dance.>

"Where's this zipper?" Mamoru questioned in an attempt to change the
subject.

"Here," Misako indicated, "It's stuck." Mamoru walked over and gave the
zipper a tug. The surprised yelp that Misako gave caused Mamoru to jerk
backwards in surprise.

"Did I hurt you, Miko-chan?"

"Iie," Misako said after a few moments, "I think it was... I don't
know." It had certainly been a surprise to her. She just couldn't decide
how to explain what had just occurred.

"I think that dress is a little big for you exc..." Mamoru trailed off.

"It fits Kimeko but I'm not as tall as her," Misako replied.

<You're not as...> Forcefully, Mamoru pushed that thought away. "Well
maybe you could find something a little better fitting."

"Iie, I want to wear this," she replied, "Come on, Daddy, it can't be
that hard to do up a zipper." With some trepidation, Mamoru moved
forward to attempt to do up the zipper.

                                 ******

"Hold still!" Usagi hissed out as she tugged backwards on the bra
straps, "If you keep walking forward, Usagi-sama, I'll fall off the
bed!" She took a step away from the edge as Chibi-Usa stepped backwards
as well. "Better," Usagi replied. "That's all we need, to have Mom come
in here and ask us why..."

"Just hurry up, Chibi-Usa," Chibi-Usa cut off her mother, "I don't see
why I have to wear one of these baka things anyway."

"You just do," Usagi countered. <It's lucky Luna-P could fix one of mine
for you.> "There... all done."

"Finally," Chibi-Usa huffed, "I still don't know how you do it all by
yourself, Imouto."

<And you aren't gonna find out either... not for a long time anyway,>
Usagi thought before saying, "Now Minako wants us to meet her at the
park."

"Okay, I'll just go and change..."

"Into what?" Usagi interrupted, "You'd be better off putting on one of
my new school fukus, Onee-sama. There's no way Dad's gonna let you out
of the house wearing that old one."

"I s'ppose," Chibi-Usa replied, "What were you 'n' Shingo up to when I
was helping Mom with breakfast?" <That was hard work too.>

"Nothin'," the little girl replied innocently. "And I'm NOT taking a nap
today!"

"Wanna bet on it?"

"Okay Onee-sama, what's the bet?"

"A triple hot fudge sundae."

"Two," Usagi countered.

"You won't be able to eat two." <You're too small to even eat one.>

"One for me, one for Mamo-chan."

"I'M Mamo-chan's girlfriend," Chibi-Usa stated hotly, "Don't forget
that, Imouto. You're just a little girl."

"IIE, I'M his girlfriend AND your mother," Usagi stated, her eyes
starting to water.

"Are not!"

"Are too!"

Usagi was about to give a hot retort when she had an idea. Suddenly
sitting down on the bed, she let out a yell, "IKUKO-MAMA!!!! USAGI'S
TEASIN' ME!!!!" For good measure, Usagi decided to shed a few tears in
the process; much to her surprise, this was amazingly easy to do.

Chibi-Usa, for her part, was uncertain what to do as her mother's
yelling continued. Just as a plan started to form, Ikuko burst into the
room. "What's going on?!?" she demanded.

Sniffling a little and wiping at her tear filled eyes, Usagi whined,
"Usagi-sama was pickin' on me!"

"I was not!" Chibi-Usa retorted hotly, "She's being baka again!"

At this, Usagi's bottom lip started to tremble and then she began to
wail in earnest. "Mom, can't you see she's faking?" Chibi-Usa questioned
Ikuko who was moving to comfort her "niece". Oddly enough, Usagi wasn't
faking now.

"Usagi, how could you be so mean to your little cousin?" Ikuko
questioned sternly.

"I wasn't!" Chibi-Usa protested again.

"Why don't you go and clean your room," Ikuko suggested, "Come on,
Chibi-Usa-chan, don't cry." She then lifted Usagi up and hugged her
closely. Usagi began to calm down. "Go on, Usagi, I'd like to see that
room spotlessly clean," Ikuko directed to a very sour-faced Chibi-Usa.

<This isn't fair! I didn't even do nothing wrong!> "Come on, Diana,"
Chibi-Usa ordered as she headed for the door but Diana just gave her a
quizzical mew before hopping up between Usagi's odangos. <Traitor!>

<I could get used to this,> Usagi thought as her mother hugged and
comforted her.

                                 ******

Hearing a knock at the door, Usagi sprang from the couch while yelling,
"I'll get it!" She stopped short as Ikuko intercepted her. "Aw... I
could get the door," Usagi grumbled out but understood why her mother
hadn't allowed her to answer the door.

"Konnichiwa Minako-san, Kimeko-chan," Ikuko said after opening the door.
It pleased Ikuko that her daughter was willing to act as "onee" to
several junior high school girls. This bode well for her future.

"Konnichiwa Tsukino-san," Minako and Kimeko replied together.

"Usagi!" Ikuko called up the steps, "Usagi! Minako's here!" Giving the
teen a grin, Ikuko suggested, "Why don't you go up."

Ikuko was about to turn back to her niece when Usagi came bounding
forward yelling, "KIMEKO! Let's go play!" She stopped when she noticed
her mother's glare, then she looked towards Minako, and blushed. "Gomen.
Konnichiwa Aino-san. How are you?" Minako giggled at Usagi's behavior.
"Ikuko-mama, can Kimeko 'n' I go play?" At her mother's nod, Usagi took
the little girl's hand and started pulling her towards the stairs.

"But..." Kimeko started to protest but fell silent as she was pulled up
the stairs by a very energetic Usagi.

Minako saw Ikuko give a sigh so she asked, "Tsukino-san, has Chibi-Usa
been a hand full lately?"

Ikuko grinned for a moment before saying, "She's just acting like a very
normal six year old. In fact, I'm surprised that she would enjoy playing
with Kimeko."

                                 ******

"Now I know what Misako was grumbling about," Usagi observed once she
and Kimeko were inside Usagi's room.

"Nani?" Kimeko questioned.

"Misako was complaining about how short she is," Usagi said as she
walked around Kimeko, "I'm only a little bigger than you are." Kimeko,
unsure of what to say, simply shrugged. "So what do you want to play?"

"Play?" Kimeko questioned uneasily, "Why would you want to play?"

"'Cuz I'm six," Usagi responded while digging through her collection of
stuffed animals.

"Usagi-san..."

"Chibi-Usa," Usagi interrupted, "You have to call me Chibi-Usa,
Kimeko-chan."

"Chibi-Usa-chan, you're really almost sixteen. Don't ya think it's silly
to be playing with children's toys?" Kimeko huffed.

"Iie."

"Well I do," Kimeko snapped, "I came back here for a vacation. Instead,
I wind up with this!" Kimeko indicated her tiny body before moodily
stomping over to the bed and crawling up on it. "I wanna go outside."
Kimeko blinked. <I have no idea why I said that!>

"Maybe Minako-san will take you and me over to the park."

"Chibi-Usa-chan, who's Mie?" Kimeko questioned Usagi.

"A little girl that Minako knows. She met Mie during the time when Ail
and Ann were here... You've heard about them, ne?" Kimeko nodded. "She's
a nice kid," Usagi added while bringing over an armload of stuffed
bunnies, "Ne, don't you think this one looks like Rei?" Kimeko stared
intently at the toy for several seconds before howling in laughter.
Usagi started to giggle as well, her laughing got even louder as Kimeko
rolled from the bed and hit the floor with a thump. "Kimeko-chan, are
you okay?" Usagi questioned while looking over to where Kimeko was lying
on the floor.

"I... I think I just crushed `Chibi-Earth'," Kimeko giggled out as she
retrieved a tiny stuffed rabbit from under her. At this point, Usagi
gave up all semblance of control and doubled over with mirth.

                                 ******

Minako and Chibi-Usa looked towards the stairway that led down to the
second floor as they heard the sounds of laughter. "This sucks,"
Chibi-Usa hissed, "I'm eighteen now. I should be able to do whatever I
want; instead, I'm up here cleaning up my room."

"Don't worry about it, Usagi-chan," Minako soothed. <Why doesn't she
want to be called Chibi-Usa when we are alone? Oh well...> "So will you
do it?"

"I guess so, Minako-chan," Chibi-Usa said, "I don't really feel right
about it, though. I mean it isn't really necessary."

"Kimeko needs to loosen up and playing with kids her own age will help
that."

Chibi-Usa blinked before giving Minako a hard look. "You know, Kimeko's
almost twenty-one. She only LOOKS four."

"Hai, I guess it's just simpler to equate temper tantrums to a four year
old rather than one five times as old." Minako paused then before
saying, "I know it isn't necessary, Usagi-chan. On the other hand, we
don't know how long this is going to take. They'll need friends, ne,
even if it's only one? I mean could you see Rei entertaining Usagi?"

"Iie," Chibi-Usa responded with a smirk, "Well we should get going then
and use Luna-P on Mie-chan."

"And I keep telling you that Luna-P wasn't meant for that!" At the
unexpected voice, both Minako and Chibi-Usa gave a yelp of surprise and
whirled around to see who had surprised them. "Kami-sama, you two are
jumpy," Misako commented, "Can I come in?"

"Hai!" Chibi-Usa said while going over to greet her sister. Giving
Misako a hug, she whispered out, "I wish you could have stayed,
Onee-chan."

"I bet Dad does too," Misako giggled out, "Well I see Kimeko and Mom are
playing." Looking around, she added, "Kami-sama, it takes all this to
happen so you'll clean your room?"

"Misako," Chibi-Usa said warningly, "So did Daddy come over too?"

"Iie, he's hiding around the corner. He kept muttering something about
being seen with me, Obaa-san, and a large knife." Misako then giggled.

It was at that point that both Kimeko and Usagi ran into the room, "We
wanna go to the park!" Usagi declared, "Take us, please Onee-sama?"

"Onee-sama?!?" Misako questioned towards Chibi-Usa. Chibi-Usa opened her
mouth to explain but saw the very dark look that Misako was casting her
way and simply closed her mouth again. She was never going to convince
her sister that it was only fair.

                                 ******

"Why aren't you playing with Usagi and Mie?" Misako questioned Kimeko a
little over an hour later.

"Because..." Kimeko said, "I can't be a kid again, Miko-chan." <No
matter how much I want to be.> "I mean, I can't stay like this. I'm
really an adult." <I wish I could tell Mom though. It would make it so
much easier.>

"Kimeko-chan, has something happened in the future?" Misako questioned.
Kimeko gave a shrug. "Please Kimeko-chan, if something's happened to Dad
or... well... even Princess Usagi..."

"You know your sister cares about you." <If only you'd see that.>

"Hai, CHIBI-USA cares a lot about me and I love her," Misako replied,
"It's when she gets older that... well you know, Kimeko-chan. She's not
very nice. I guess it wasn't always 'Sagi's fault but I don't want to go
back into that situation."

<You're as stubborn as the rest of the Royal Family. I just can't deal
with the main problem. First, I have to get back to normal... if that's
even possible.>

"Are you okay, Imouto?" Minako questioned as she walked over to the
bench where Misako and Kimeko were sitting.

<Iie Mom, I'm not okay!> Kimeko thought, <I know of a future where I'm
baka, where Usagi tortures Misako...> Kimeko darkly thought. Aloud
though, she squeaked, "Hai."

"Then why don't you go play with Usagi... I mean Chibi-Usa and Mie?"

<Because I can't afford to. I have to find away back to being regular.
Or at least, if there was a way to have Misako go back to being normal.>

"Come on, Kimeko-chan!" Usagi called out, "Come and play with us.
Usagi-sama doesn't want to."

<I want to... but I'd look silly. 'Sides, I'm too big for everything,>
Chibi-Usa thought as she walked to sit down beside her sister. "So what
are you doing for lunch, Miko-chan?"

"I gotta go to Makoto's. Dad's working and he says `a ten year old's not
responsible enough to leave on their own.'"

"That wasn't very nice," Chibi-Usa remarked, "You're responsible."

<Too bad 'Sagi never said that...> Giving her sister a sheepish grin,
Misako replied, "Well after last night, I can see why Dad doesn't trust
me."

Shortly after that, Mamoru arrived from the errand that he had been
running and escorted Misako home. For Chibi-Usa and Minako's part, they
remained on the bench and watched the girls play until it was time to
head home for lunch.

                                 ******

Misako and Mamoru's walk home attracted more attention than most people
would likely receive for a similar walk. At first, it was only the quick
glances, but as time passed, they stopped being quick glances and young
men started to look intently at Misako.

They saw two things. The first was the angel of beauty that graced their
vision: long flowing blonde-white hair, shimmering sky blue eyes like a
lagoon's clear water, a slim, delicate figure. The second thing they saw
was the only thing marring their picture of absolute tranquility --
obviously, her boyfriend.

At first, Misako was not aware of the stares, but as time passed, she
could feel the eyes that were observing her bore into her. She began to
feel frightened and tightened her grip on her father's hand while
walking close.

"What's the matter, Miko-chan?" Mamoru asked her.

"I'm scared, Daddy," Misako said softy after a brief pause, "Everybody's
looking at me." She pressed closer against Mamoru and in doing so,
crushed many a young fellow's hopes.

"Don't worry, I'm here," Mamoru replied as she pulled his hand from
Misako's grip and hugged her comfortingly with one arm. Looking around,
he saw some of these observers and gave them his darkest, blackest
glare. <Don't even think about it!> he thought almost angrily at those
he had caught, <You aren't even worth my daughter's attention!>

By the time that they had reached Mamoru's apartment, Misako was feeling
strange. Not only was she feeling nervous about all the people that
seemed to be watching her, but also she was starting to feel something
else. A feeling that was both new and almost intoxicating.

"I thought we were going to Makoto's," Misako stated when she finally
realized that they were inside Mamoru's apartment. <What was I thinking
about?> Misako wondered, <It's like I just started to daydream...> She
just couldn't remember what the daydream had been about.

"Well we don't have to go over just yet, Miko-chan. I need the car so I
figured I'd drive you over before heading off to work. You'll be okay
about staying at Kino-san's this afternoon, ne?" Misako nodded. "I'm
sorry I have to take off on you like this. I didn't think I'd be working
this afternoon."

"At least, it's only the afternoon," Misako said as she hugged her
father. "Otou-san, why were those guys looking at me? They made me
feel... funny."

Shifting as best he could, Mamoru replied, "Well, Miko-chan. They were
looking at you because you are a very beautiful woman." He gasped
slightly as Misako tightened her grip and snuggled her head under his
chin. "How do you feel now?"

"Better, warm and safe and... something else," Misako replied while
keeping her eyes shut. "Otou-san, why do guys look at girls that are
beautiful? Do you do that?" She raised her head so she could look deeply
into her father's eyes.

"I... Your mother's the only woman I would ever look at," Mamoru
answered distractedly, "I don't want to end up in the hospital just
because I looked at another woman and your mother thought that I was
cheating on her."

"Nani?" Misako questioned, "What do you mean?" Mamoru stared down into
depths of her eyes and then abruptly shook himself and pulled away.
"Nani?"

"Nothing... Uh, I think I should... wash my hair before I go to work,"
Mamoru said. With that, he quickly entered the bathroom and shut the
door. Misako felt slightly disappointed but she was more confused at her
father's strange behavior. Shrugging, she walking over to the couch and
sat down with a sigh. Maybe Makoto could tell her why her father was
suddenly obsessed with bathing.

                                 ******

Shoko watched her youngest daughter's head dip slightly before snapping
upright again. "Have you finished your lunch, Kimeko-chan?" Shoko asked
the little girl as they sat around the kitchen table eating lunch.

"Hai Mommy," Kimeko replied while yawning expansively.

Smiling, Shoko stood and walked to where Kimeko was sitting. "Let's go
get you ready for your nap."

"Don't wanna nap," Kimeko mumbled out but she didn't put up any protest
as she was lifted out of her chair and carried out of the kitchen. <Why
do I feel so sleepy? It's not even dark yet,> Kimeko wondered as she
struggled in vain to keep her eyes open.

"Do you want any help, Mom?" Minako asked as she followed her mother out
of the kitchen.

"Iie, you've looked after Kimeko all morning." <You'll be a great mother
some day.> "You deserve some private time, Mesume," Shoko replied.
Minako looked reluctant but nodded and turned back into the kitchen.

"Mommy, do I gotta take a nap?" Kimeko questioned while yawning yet
again.

Shoko giggled, "You usually like naps, honey." Kimeko didn't dispute
that fact; Minako had told her on more than one occasion that Kimeko
enjoyed naptime. "First, we'll get you cleaned up," Shoko replied as she
entered the bathroom, "then we'll get you settled."

A short time later, Kimeko could see why she would enjoy taking a nap.
She was lying on her stomach on the bed. She gave a contented burble as
Shoko continued to rub her back. <This is nice,> Kimeko thought, <It was
so much easier as a little kid. I remember Mom doing this...> It was a
shame really that she couldn't let everything slide. Her duty as a
Sailor Senshi wouldn't allow that. She had to save the future.

"Just relax and go to sleep," her grandmother directed as she felt
Kimeko tense. After a minute or so, the little girl did relax and then
her breathing slowed as Kimeko sank into sleep. Gently removing her
hands, Shoko pulled a sheet up around her daughter and quietly left the
room.

Artemis, who had just woken up, was in the process of trying to stir
Kimeko from her nap so he could talk to her when the little girl
suddenly grabbed him in a one armed hug before pulling him tightly
against her sleeping form.

"I'm not a teddy bear!" Artemis muttered out but realized that he was
stuck until Kimeko woke up; however, he was now in no position to wake
her up. <I just hope Luna doesn't see me!> Artemis thought gloomily, <Or
I'll never live this down!>

                                 ******
[Continued in the next section]