[Continued from the previous section]

                                 ******

To Ikuko's and Chibi-Usa's surprise, Usagi fell asleep shortly after
lunch. Chibi-Usa had entered the living room and found Usagi curled up
sleeping on the couch. Gently lifting her mother up, Chibi-Usa sat down
before settling the little girl on to her lap.

Chibi-Usa smiled softly as Usagi snuggled closer. Loosely hugging Usagi,
she thought, <I won't hold you to that bet, Onee-san. You had a busy day
I think.> Her mother had certainly been playing hard all that morning.

"Why don't you take her up to her room, Usagi?" Ikuko questioned softly.

"It's okay, Mom," Chibi-Usa replied softly, "I don't mind this." <Mommy
did it when I was little... I actually kinda like it. I wish I could've
been older. Maybe I would've been nicer to Misako.> She ran a hand
gently down Usagi's back before thinking. <You can do so much more as an
adult. Onee-san, you know a lot more than I do.> Closing her eyes,
Chibi-Usa sighed slightly, <I wish Misako had been younger. I could show
both of you how great an onee I could be to both of you.> It would help
to show her sister that even her older self still loved Misako.

<What if we had been a normal family?> Chibi-Usa thought, <Would we have
fought like this before?> She had briefly toyed with the idea of somehow
not having Serenity become Queen. Chibi-Usa knew it was ridiculous but
if there was anything she could do that would ensure that she never went
back to hating Misako...

                                 ******

"Come on, Kimeko," Minako pleaded, "Sit up."

"Iie," Kimeko said sulkily. She was lying in the bathtub staring up at
the ceiling with her arms crossed. She could feel the warm water against
her skin and it felt good, but she wasn't going to enjoy it if her pride
had anything to say about it. "Gomen nasai, Okaa-san." Minako lifted her
head to look at the tub and sniffled a little. "This is hard for me,"
Kimeko remarked, "I mean... I'm twenty; I know what you were trying to
tell me after I took that nap."

"You know how much Luna-P had to change things. If we make it easier on
my parents, then things will be simpler," Minako explained,
"Kimeko-chan, I know that you're twenty but... you look four...
Sometimes, you even act like a four year old." Kimeko blushed. "My
parents aren't about to allow what they think is their four year old
daughter to bathe unsupervised."

"I suppose you're right, Mom, but I just can't be a little kid," Kimeko
stated sadly, "I don't wanna be little." <Although if I was really four,
I wouldn't have to worry about all this timeline stuff.>

"I know this is hard on you," Minako said gently, "But my parents are
well meaning and until you go back to normal... if you go back to
normal, you're going to have to take on the role of a little girl."
Kimeko didn't look happy about this prospect. "I'll try and help you
with anything, Kimeko... but you need to tell me what's going on. Now
finish up or you'll catch cold." When there was only silence in
response, Minako said, "What if my mom comes in?" Minako asked from the
toilet where she was sitting with the lid closed.

"You're watching me, Mom," Kimeko grumbled out, "And I AM taking a
bath." <I really wish I could tell you, Mom,> Kimeko thought, <And
Makoto deserves to know more than what she does.>

"You're just lying there, Kimeko," Minako countered, "You have been for
the past five minutes."

Kimeko grunted slightly but didn't respond any further. <I can't even
take a shower like I wanted to. I'm not even allowed to draw the curtain
across,> she pouted to herself.

"Mesume," Minako said in a low tone, "I know you'd like to take a bath
by yourself... But four year olds don't do that. Until you grow up,
you'll have to act like you're four." When there was no response, Minako
added, "You know if my mom comes in here and we aren't washing or
playing, she'd kick me out and bathe you herself."

"That would be awful!" Kimeko complained.

"It could be worse," Minako said with a slight grin, "It could be my
dad."

At first, a small hand peeked over the edge of the tub and gripped the
top. Then slowly, a small head made its appearance and Kimeko gave her
mother a serious look. "Your dad?"

"And as far as my parents are concerned, your dad too." Getting up,
Minako walked over to kneel by the tub, "So what's it going to be,
Imouto?"

Rummaging around in the bottom of the tub for the washcloth, Kimeko
produced it and looked at it. After a few moments of thought, she turned
and asked, "Onee-san, would you wash my back?"

"Hai," Minako replied and took the washcloth. "So did you hate baths
when you were little like Misako did?"

Before Kimeko could even think of an answer, there was a bubbling of
water and then Kimeko giggled and squeaked out, "Excuse me."

                                 ******

Chibi-Usa's eyes opened slowly as she heard someone coming into the
room. <Misako?> She flicked her eyes towards the stairs and noticed that
Usagi was coming into the room. The little girl was hugging a stuffed
bunny rabbit as she walked across to where Chibi-Usa was laying.

"What are you doing up, Imouto?" Chibi-Usa asked sleepily.

"Could I sleep up here, Onee-sama?" Usagi asked softly, "I heard some
funny noises in my room."

Chibi-Usa lay there for a few seconds before nodded slightly. "Hai," she
responded, "You can stay up here." <Arigato,> Chibi-Usa thought,
<Strange that I'm an adult now but I still feel a little lonely.>

Quickly padding over, Usagi slid under the covers of Misako's futon
before looking towards Chibi-Usa. "You look a little lonely, Mesume,"
Usagi observed as she noticed that Chibi-Usa was looking a little
wistfully towards Misako's futon.

"I... I just wish Misako could be here," Chibi-Usa replied, "Imouto...
that's what I want Misako to be."

"You don't like to be Misako's imouto?" Usagi questioned as she shifted
so she could hug her daughter as best she could. <I still want to
comfort you.>

Chibi-Usa returned her mother's hug and settled her head back down on
her pillow. "Misako can be a great onee... but it's my job," she
explained softly. A caring warmth spread through her as she felt Usagi
snuggle closer. "I want to protect her. I guess it sounds really silly,
Onee-san."

"It doesn't," Usagi countered sleepily, her own eyes closed, "It's a
very natural thing. I certainly want to protect you... Imouto." The room
fell silent again and as Usagi finally drifted off into slumber, she
thought, <This has been a great day.> It had been a very busy one as
well. Her parents seemed to be purposely working her up to the notion of
going to getting a new elementary school fuku the next day; and for some
very strange reason to Usagi, she was actually looking forward to it.

                                 ******

As Usagi drifted off to sleep, to have pleasant dreams about a winged
visitor, Kimeko was in the throws of a terrifying nightmare. She was
dreaming that she was standing on a battlefield in the future watching
helplessly as her friend and mentor was pulled apart by a monster.

Turning, Kimeko ran, and as she ran her legs shortened, her body shrank
until she was only four years old. The running was difficult and the
rubble that had only hampered her adult form seemed to be imprisoning
her. As she rounded a corner, she fell and cried out.

Lying there on the ground, breathing heavily with the effort, she looked
up to see the smiling face of her mother. Like a disembodied entity, she
heard her own voice cry out, "Mommy!" before her arm reached up towards
the comfort and safety that her mother provided.

Unexpectantly, the reassuring face of her mother twisted, reshaping
itself into the blood-streaked and cold face of the monster. Suddenly
Misako appeared out of nowhere pleading for help. The monster proceeded
to lift Misako high over its head strangling her in the process and
tossing her limp body so it landed heavily at Kimeko's tiny feet. With a
scream of rage, Kimeko was suddenly in her Senshi form -- that of
Chibi-Venus. She launched her weak attack but it had no effect.
Shutting her eyes against the terrible image, Kimeko started to cry and
shiver.

Abruptly, Kimeko snapped back into consciousness. As her eyes popped
open, she looked frantically around the room. <Where am I?> She felt
someone stirring. Glancing over, she noticed it was her mother. <So some
of it wasn't a dream...> she thought. That's when the sensation struck
her. Flipping the covers backwards, she looked down and saw, much to her
horror, a dark wet spot. "Iie!" she cried out, "It can't be like this. I
can't stay like this!" Bolting from the bed, she ran out of the room and
down the hallway to the stairs. <I have to get back to being normal. I
can't stay as a four year old! It was bad enough with the bath but...
wetting the bed?!?> She'd just hold up in her hotel room and talk to
Misako tomorrow. <Maybe Pluto can do something.> Giving one last look
backward, Kimeko ran down the stairs. <I hope you'll understand, Mom.>

                                 ******

A short time later, Minako donned her coat and shoes while giving her
parents a stubborn look. "Mom, Dad, I'm going out to look for Kimeko
too."

"But Minako..." Shoko began.

"Please Okaa-san, she's my responsibility!" Minako stated firmly, "I
know it's late but I think I know where she went." Without elaborating
any further to her parents, Minako left the house and started towards
the sidewalk, her father following closely behind.

"Minako, be careful," Nobu directed, "We'll split up. I'll go in the
opposite direction."

"I'll be careful," Minako promised. <Why did you run away, Mesume?>
Minako thought as she turned right onto the sidewalk and started jogging
down the street, <I don't think it was just because you wet the bed.>
Although that certainly must have had something to do with it.

Within the Aino home, Shoko worried as both her husband and eldest
daughter disappeared into the night. <Please Kimeko, be all right.> She
wanted to go out and search for her daughter, but what if Kimeko came
home? Shoko didn't want her youngest daughter to return to an empty
house.

As Minako searched in the night, she soon saw a small figure sitting on
the curb of the street. As she drew closer, she felt both relief and
anger at Kimeko. The little girl did not look up at her approach.
Instead, she kept her face covered by her hands as she cried in
shuddering sobs that shook her small frame.

"What happened?" Minako asked gently as she crouched down beside her
daughter, "Why did you run away?" Kimeko's only response was to turn and
hug her mother tightly while continuing to cry. "Kimeko-chan, let's go
home," Minako suggested gently.

"Mom... I... I can't!" the little girl cried, "I don't know what to do!"
She then sneezed violently.

"You're gonna catch a cold," Minako replied, "Please Kimeko, come back."
She stroked the little girl's hair and handed her a Kleenex, "You know I
love you a lot, Kimeko-chan." Minako's eyes began to tear. "It doesn't
matter whether you're four or twenty-four. You have to think
positively."

"How?" Kimeko questioned while lifting a tear-stained face to look at
her mother. <Mom's crying...>

"Well you know what they say, `Hope springs from a urinal'." Kimeko
tried, without success, not to giggle. As her mirth grew, she pressed
her face into her other side and shook with laughter. "Please
Kimeko-chan, don't leave me." Minako's tears began to increase.

"I won't, Mom," Kimeko promised. <Gomen nasai, Okaa-san.> And as her
mother stood, she scrambled up to take Minako's hand. "I gotta get outta
these. They're all wet." <And cold too!> As they started to walk, Kimeko
asked nervously, "Mom, do you think your parents are gonna be mad?"

Minako stopped walking for a moment, wiped her tears, and cocked her
head as she considered the question. Then bending down, she said, "They
might be, but I think if you explain why you took off, even if it's a
believable fib... they shouldn't be too mad." Minako winked and Kimeko
giggled.

                                 ******

To say that Shoko and Nobu were displeased would be understating the
matter. Kimeko silently endured the scolding she was receiving from
Shoko as her grandmother quickly bathed her and dressed her in a fresh
set of pajamas. The more Shoko talked, the guiltier Kimeko began to feel
about her actions.

Kimeko spent the next few minutes worrying about the possible
consequences of her actions. When Minako pleaded for Kimeko not to be
spanked, Kimeko nearly started to cry again. Fortunately, and much to
both Kimeko's and Minako's relief, her grandparents were more interested
in reassuring the little girl than punishing her.

As Nobu hugged her, he whispered out, "If any more monsters come and
scare you, Mesume, I'll beat them up." Kimeko giggled and hugged him in
return.

"Want to sleep with me?" Shoko offered but Kimeko shook her head. She
had a longing desire for the warmth and security being around her mother
provided. "Well you sleep well, okay?" Kimeko nodded and hugged her
grandmother.

By the time things had settled down again, Kimeko was dozing. Soon after
Minako tucked her into bed, she fell deep into sleep, unaware of the
worried look that Minako was giving her.

                                 ******

Sometime during the night, it started to rain. At first, nothing more
than a fine mist but as time passed, the rain intensified. Soon,
lightning streaked across the black sky as thunder rumbled overhead.

Misako lay awake in bed and watched as the rain pounded against her
window. <I wonder how Chibi-Usa and Mommy are doing?> she pondered as
she turned to lie on her side, <I wonder if they're scared?> She
certainly wasn't scared; she was feeling a little lonely though.
<Daddy's actin' so weird...> It was if Misako was carrying a virus or
something. <I like getting closer to him though.> She felt warm and safe
when she was with her father. If Misako didn't know any better, she
would think that her father was rejecting her.

<I need to do a Senshi practice,> Misako thought as she sighed again, <I
can't tell if I got stronger as a Senshi.> Certainly her physical body
had increased in muscle mass but for some reason, she did not feel the
strength that she had expected. <If it just isn't a grownup's body that
makes you an adult, then what does?> She didn't know; with a sigh, she
closed her eyes and finally drifted off to sleep.

                                 ******

The first thing that Misako was aware of was the rain. It tapped against
the window in a soft rhythmic pattern. She lay there, soaking in the
warmth of the bed, while she let her mind drift. After a few minutes
though, ingrained habits took over and she slid from the bed.

<Baka thing!> Misako thought as she scowled disapprovingly at her pajama
bottoms. <These things keep slipping down.> It was very confusing to
Misako that while her upper body seemed to be larger than Kimeko's,
thereby making it uncomfortable to wear certain items of clothing, while
her lower portions seemed to be smaller. Not only was Kimeko's pajama
bottom's legs longer than Misako's, but also the waistband was so loose
that it continually threatened to fall.

Sitting back on the bed, Misako kicked off the pajama bottoms and
grinned. "Much better." She could walk around in the pajama top and
underwear. "It's a good thing Uncle Shingo isn't here though." She
wouldn't even consider doing that if her uncle was around much less her
grandparents.

After washing and using the bathroom, Misako cautiously crept down the
hall and into the kitchen. Quietly she got a bowl and the box of cereal.
<I wonder when Dad went to sleep?> He had seemed worried the first
night. <I wish I knew what the problem was; maybe I could help Dad.>
Taking her cereal out into the living room, Misako paused to look at her
father who was sleeping on the couch.

<Poor Dad, maybe we can trade places tonight. He looks so
uncomfortable.> Crossing over to the television, she turned it onto one
of the anime shows she enjoyed and lowered the volume. Sitting down
cross-legged on the floor on the floor, she started to eat while
becoming absorbed in the show.

                                 ******

Mamoru lay on the couch, his eyes closed, trying to determine what the
strange sound was. <Is that Misako?> he wondered. As he continued to
listen, he heard other noises. <It has to be Misako, unless Usagi came
over here to watch anime.> Slowly he opened his eyes and smiled. "Ohayo
Miko-chan," he called softly. When Misako didn't immediately respond, he
repeated himself.

"'Morning Daddy," Misako mumbled out around a mouthful of cereal.

Closing his eyes, he stretched before sliding up and groaning slightly.
<Well, if I get into trouble when I'm married, I'll certainly have
practice sleeping on the couch.> Swinging his feet out and onto the
floor, Mamoru rubbed his eyes while yawning. "Did you sleep well,
Mesume? I thought I heard you rolling around last night."

"Hai," Misako said after a lengthy pause. She then tugged downward on
her pajama top.

<Just like Usako,> he mused as he made his way to the bathroom, <Put
food in front of her and nothing distracts her.> After a few minutes,
Mamoru returned from the bathroom and walked over to where Misako was
sitting; as he approached his daughter, he stopped dead and blinked. It
took a moment for him to realize what had given him pause.

"MISAKO!" Mamoru yelled as he dove for a blanket and threw it over his
daughter.

"Nani?!?" Misako screeched more in surprise than anything else as a
blanket came sailing over the top of her covering her completely. "Dad!"
she whined as she pulled the blanket away, "You'll made me miss the last
part."

"What do you think you're doing?!?" Mamoru demanded as she stood facing
the wall.

"Watching anime," Misako answered as she pushed the blanket away, "Why?"

"I mean what are you doing without any pajama bottoms on?"

"Watching anime," Misako responded. <Why's Dad acting so funny?>

"Go get dressed," Mamoru directed with some exasperation.

"Okay, Daddy, after it's over; this show's almost over."

"Now, Misako... please."

Sighing a little, Misako stood up and walked to her father. "Otou-san,
what's the big deal? I'm comfortable... Well except for this top. It's a
little tight." Mamoru groaned a little bit and wobbled. Walking around,
she saw that her father had his eyes tightly squeezed shut, his face
showing that he was being tormented by something.

"Please Misako, just go and get dressed," Mamoru whispered out. Wrapping
her arms around her father in a hug, Misako gave him a kiss on the cheek
and said, "I don't want to wear that baka bra; it's so uncomfortable.
Maybe we can go buy a new one..."

"Misako..." he hissed out.

"Come and watch anime with me, Daddy," Misako suggested, "It's raining
still and it looks really cold. You could let me sit on your lap like
you used to do. We could spend the day together."

"Misako," Mamoru said angrily as he pushed her away, "I told you to go
and get dressed. You shouldn't be walking around like you are."

"Why?"

Mamoru squirmed for a minute and then said, "Misako, you'll just have to
wait until you're older."

"I AM older!" Misako countered, "I mean, look at me?" When her father
didn't open his eyes, she shouted, "OTOU-SAN, LOOK AT ME!" Mamoru did,
for the briefest moment before spinning away. "I've had `the talk' with
Mom so you can tell me what the big deal is."

"Misako, you're still a little girl and I don't want you looking like
you do." Misako took a step backwards as a stunned and hurt expression
came onto her face.

"Otou..."

Preparing himself for the explosion, Mamoru stated, "I'm going to talk
to your mother about you staying at Kino-san's. I don't want you here as
long as you're an adult."

"Don't you... love me?" Misako asked meekly, a sad expression on her
face.

"Not like you are now," Mamoru replied. He could feel the pain stabbing
into his heart. The apartment fell silent for a long time before he
heard the soft padding of feet. Over his shoulder, he could hear Misako
giving a little sniffle as she made her way into the bedroom. As the
door closed, it was like she had driven a nail into his heart. <Gomen
nasai, Mesume.>

                                 ******

It was shortly after breakfast when Minako peeked around the corner
leading into the living room. She felt herself smiling as she heard her
daughter giggling. Kimeko was sitting on Nobu's lap and being tickled.
Much to Minako's surprise, and secret delight, Kimeko appeared to be
enjoying herself tremendously.

Kimeko wriggled a little to snuggle closer as Nobu hugged her. "That was
fun, Daddy!" she giggled out, "Do it again!"

"Iie," Nobu said with a grin as Kimeko pouted, "That's enough for now.
Besides, you have to get ready to go and pick up your kindergarten
fuku."

Kimeko frowned slightly. <Kindergarten fuku?!?> she thought, <Well I
suppose it's natural. I wonder what it'll look like? I remember Misako's
was very kawaii.>

"Hai, don't tell me you forgot that you start kindergarten next month,"
Nobu remarked, "We've talked about this before, honey. You'll get to
make a lot of new friends."

Kimeko considered what to say and then grinned internally as she
scrambled to her knees and hugged Nobu around the neck. "But Daddy, I'd
be sad 'cause I'd miss you."

"Kimeko-chan," Minako called from the doorway, "Come and get ready. We
have to meet Mie and her mother before going over to the Tsukino's."

"'Kay!" Kimeko chirped happily and sliding from Nobu's lap, skipped over
and hugged Minako's leg. "Can we go play in the park later on,
Onee-san?" Minako didn't look particularly thrilled by that idea so
Kimeko decided to try what she had been subjected to from Misako many
times in the past -- namely a "kawaii attack". "Please?!?" she begged
while allowing her face to droop. "Please Onee-san?!?" she begged while
hugging Minako's leg.

Reaching down, Minako lifted Kimeko up and held her close, "We'll see,
Imouto," Minako said, "Now come and get ready to go." As she carried
Kimeko towards the stairs, Minako asked, "Ne, what are you up to?"

"Nothin', Onee-san," Kimeko squeaked innocently, "Why?"

"Because, last night you were all set to take off and didn't want
anything to do with being a little kid and now..." Minako trailed off
and gave her daughter a hard look, "'Sides, what's with this `Daddy'
stuff? I mean you're typically your father's number one defender."

Kimeko felt her eyes mist over and she sniffled slightly. <I will miss
Dad but... I just can't go back to that future.> She felt a pang of loss
as she thought of Sakuya, <I'm sorry I failed you, Sakuya; it's better
though if you don't bring a child into that future. Gomen nasai.> "Just
playin', Mom," Kimeko said to Minako before falling silent again. <If
Misako can stay in the past as an adult, then I'll stay here like this.
Maybe when I get older, then I can stop that terrible tragedy.>

There was another reason she was willing to stay though. She felt warm
and safe with Minako. It was so soothing and with her mother's comfort,
she could easily forget about the future.

                                 ******

Ikuko smiled as she hugged Usagi. "Just think, you'll be going into
second grade."

"I'm small," Usagi stated. <It's funny I never thought about it until
now. I'll be glad to get back to normal.> Not that Usagi was in any rush
to get big again. She could stand being pampered a little longer.
Another added side bonus was seeing her daughter squirm a little. <She
always thinks that being grown-up's easy.>

"I think we're going to have to get you a new school fuku,
Chibi-Usa-chan. You're getting too big for your old fuku but we can keep
it as a spare." Usagi giggled and hugged her mother. "I hope it stops
raining."

"Are you gonna come with me, Ikuko-mama?" Usagi questioned.

"Iie, I have something to do but Usagi's going to take you." Ikuko
grinned then and said, "I remember Usagi was so excited about going into
Grade Two... then she started not liking school." Usagi had to fight the
urge to protest. "I'm sure you'll be a good student. You like going to
school, ne?"

Usagi sighed internally as the knock came at the door. All this talk
about school was making her tired; at least her brain told her she
should feel tired. While she was willing to work at doing well in
school, Usagi still believed in not liking it. After all, there were far
more important things in life, like her children and Mamoru, followed
closely by food and her friends.

"Chibi-Usa-chan?" Minako asked. Usagi jumped in surprise as she was
pulled from her thoughts, "Are you okay?"

"Hai," Usagi squeaked, "Konnichiwa Aino-san, Kimeko-chan."

"Hi Chibi-Usa-chan!" Kimeko sang out before bouncing over to give Usagi
a hug. Turning to look at her mother, she asked, "Can we go play,
Onee-san?"

"We have to go and get our fukus and shoes for school first," Chibi-Usa
pointed out. <Kimeko's actin' really weird and I thought Mommy was
actin' goofy.>

"Come, you two, let's get ready. Mie's mother is going to drive us since
it's raining," Minako remarked.

Ikuko smiled and watched with some relief when Usagi and Chibi-Usa left
the house with Kimeko and Minako. <Now to do some cleaning. I'll be glad
when Misako gets back. I know Usagi does her best to play with Chibi-Usa
but that child really does need her onee.> It had surprised Ikuko that
Chibi-Usa would become friends with Kimeko. Certainly Mie was
Chibi-Usa's best friend but even Mie liked Kimeko. <Stranger things have
happened.> She certainly knew that from experience. The largest surprise
to date had been Shingo. He had certainly taken on a big brother type of
role and seemed to get along well with both Chibi-Usa and Misako.

                                 ******

Usagi and Mie watched in fascination as Kimeko hugged herself and
whirled around and around. It was more of a shock to Usagi to see Kimeko
acting as if the new kindergarten fuku she had just put on was the best
thing to ever happen to her.

"This is kawaii!" Kimeko sang gleefully, "My shoes too!"

Usagi smiled as well, as she stuck out one leg to admire her new shoes
for school. Sayama Mie followed her best friend's lead admiring her
identical fuku and shoes. The shoes had a colored stripe around the
bottom representing the grade of the wearer and a place on back of the
heel to write the wearer's name. <These are the same color as the ones
that Chibi-Usa wore when she was here the very first time.> Usagi was
feeling a certain amount of pride for some reason. Even more than she
had getting her new high school fuku with its grade ten shoes the week
before.

"Okay, Kimeko-chan, let's get you changed out of your fuku and those
shoes."

"But, Onee-san, I wanna wear them!" Kimeko countered. <I look so kawaii.
These are much better than those bright orange overalls you wanted me to
wear.> She didn't mind some brightly colored clothes but Kimeko did have
her limits.

"Kimeko," Minako said, "We don't want you to get your new fuku dirty.
And we have to keep your shoes clean, ne?" Kimeko shook her head which
caused Minako to raise an eyebrow. "I know you really like it,
Kimeko-chan, but you have to save it for school." <Kami-sama, I hope
she'll change back to normal before then.> "Come and change back to your
other clothes."

"Yay!" Usagi agreed, "Then we can go play outside. I mean it stopped
raining."

"Can we, Minako-oneechan?" Mie added. Minako nodded.

"'Kay," Kimeko joined in, "But we gotta play something fun." <It's been
so long... Is this what Misako feels like when she wants to go outside
and play?> She was feeling a tremendous desire to simply run outside, to
smell the different scents of nature, to feel the wind rushing by.
Kimeko had once heard Misako say that she wanted to catch the wind.

                                 ******

Makoto gave Misako a sad look before saying, "I don't really know what
to say." She clasped her hands and stared towards the floor for a few
moments before adding, "I know that Mamoru loves you, Miko-chan, but it
is a strange situation you're in."

Misako sighed before taking a sip of her soda. "It hurt though. I mean,
he said..." her voice caught and she didn't finish the sentence. "I know
it's hard but, this is the way I am now."

"You're welcome to stay here," Makoto offered, "I know that Usagi wanted
you to stay with a parent but maybe this would work out better."

"Arigato Makoto-san," Misako said after some thought, "I don't think I
should though. There's must be a reason Mom wants me to stay with Dad."
Rubbing her hands together, she added, "Besides, if I run away from
this, then it just might make things worse. I mean, what if I never get
little again?"

"Do you want to be little again?"

There was a longer pause before Misako replied, "I guess so... I thought
this would be neat. I'd finally get to do what I wanted... All it did
was cause trouble." She was feeling abandoned somehow. Not in the same
way that she had felt in Crystal Tokyo; however, it was a strong sense
of loss. She enjoyed spending time with her father, mother, and sister.
But being like she was now, in an adult's body, that couldn't really
happen.

Makoto smiled softly and said, "You know, Miko-chan, I'm sure that if
you moved in here that it would make Mamoru feel a lot better."

"You miss having somebody around all the time, ne?" Misako questioned
but she could tell by the tone in Makoto's voice. After a brief
hesitation, Makoto nodded. "Just think about the future... I do."

"You know, Miko-chan, you're a lot like... Usagi." The smile that Makoto
got in return warmed her heart.

"Arigato for talking to me, Makoto-san," Misako said while rising and
bowing, "I should go. I guess I should go talk to Dad and apologize for
yelling at him."

"You're welcome, Miko-chan," Makoto replied. <Anytime.>

                                 ******

A pale March sun shone down from the sky, while a slightly chilly
easterly wind rustled the newly forming leaves. Minako, Misako, and
Chibi-Usa sat on the bench in the park and watched Kimeko and Usagi
playing. Diana opted to stay home with her mom.

"It's a good thing you talked Kimeko out of wearing her fuku," Misako
observed, "It would have been ruined before the first day of school."
She had met up with Minako and Chibi-Usa on her way back to Mamoru's.
After calling her father, Misako decided to stay with her sister. "I
wish I had been here sooner. I could have met Mie."

"Mie's mother said she and Mie had some things to do," Minako said with
a slight air of disappointment. She then winced as Kimeko slid through a
particularly wet and slippery section of grass.

"Chibi-Usa!" Chibi-Usa yelled to her mother, "Be careful! Kimeko's
younger than you!" This produced a giggle from Minako and a frown from
Misako who was trying not to giggle.

"What's the matter, Onee-chan?" Chibi-Usa questioned her sister.

"Nothin' really," Misako replied, "I just was thinking about something."
<Kimeko shouldn't be acting like this. She never liked playing in the
mud.> She had to act the part of a four year old but from what Minako
had been telling her, it sound like Kimeko wanted to be four.

"Oh Kimeko," Minako moaned out, "My mom's gonna kill me. I mean, she was
fairly forgiving about that shredded piece of clothing but two outfits
in one week?" While her daughter hadn't mangled the orange overalls that
Kimeko had been wearing, the bright color had all but disappeared under
a layer of mud.

"Wonder if she's related?" Misako mumbled out. This caused Chibi-Usa to
snicker. "Yeah and look at Mom." Misako felt herself smiling broadly as
she looked at her mother who was also coated with mud. "I'm glad I'm not
at Mom's house."

"Why?" Chibi-Usa demanded sharply.

"Because, Imouto," Misako explained, "I wouldn't want to have to explain
that to Obaa-san." Chibi-Usa grunted slightly but didn't look happy at
that thought.

In the meantime, Minako had become rather distracted. <What a kawaii
guy!> she thought, <His friend isn't bad looking either.> The two young
men seemed to be having an animated conversation as they headed towards
the bench Minako was sitting on. <Kami-sama, they're coming over... I
hope I look okay.> Then she heard Kimeko giggle. <Please Mesume, don't
freak out.> All she needed was a muddy little kid telling a very hunky
looking guy to get lost.

Minako felt her heart started to speed up as the two young men got
closer and closer. She thought she could feel her palms starting to
sweat and her mouth starting to dry as she became nervous. <Oh! Won't
Makoto be jealous when I snag these two guys.> She could date both of
them if she juggled them right. Putting on her best smile, she prepared
to greet her future boyfriends.

It is sometimes said, "In the storm of life, love can be a very sharp
rock," and Minako's heart was impaled upon it when the young men
completely ignored her greeting, instead, focusing all their attention
towards Misako and, to a lesser extent, Chibi-Usa.

"Konnichiwa, My Lady," the taller of the two began, "After a miserable
rain, an angel has come to grace this bench." Misako blushed deeply for
some strange reason. She was feeling both nervous and excited at the
same time.

"Don't forget the other angel here as well," the shorter one added while
he directed his eyes towards Chibi-Usa. She smiled shyly up at him
blushing. Minako cleared her throat; the taller man looked towards her
for only a moment before turning his gaze back to Misako.

"Konnichiwa," Misako stuttered out, "I'm Tsukino Misako. This is my
sister, Tsukino Usagi."

"Angels of the Moon," the shorter one offered which caused both
Chibi-Usa and Misako to blush even more.

"Girls, I think it's time to go home," Minako interjected to Misako and
Chibi-Usa. The two men wondered why would a mere child presume to tell
their angels to leave.

"Are you kidding?" Chibi-Usa questioned. <I wanna talk to them.>

"Iie, she's not," came a low male voice. All five jumped in surprise.
The two men whirled around; their eyes opened wide when they saw a very
perturbed looking Mamoru glaring down at them.

"Who are you?" the taller one demanded.

Before Mamoru could respond, Misako bounded up from the bench and,
pushing her way past the two young men, hugged Mamoru. "I'm sorry I
yelled at you, Mamo-chan," she said softly.

"That's okay, Miko-chan," Mamoru replied softly, "Let's wait until we go
home and then we can talk about this."

Chibi-Usa got up and, walking over, gave her father a hug in greeting.
That had been another thing about being the adult; she hadn't easily
been able to get over to see her father. She could have gone, but Usagi
was consuming most of her time and that was on top of the added chores
that she had. In some ways, Chibi-Usa didn't know how her mother did it.

Having one of the young women hug Mamoru had been a severe blow to the
young men's hopes. However, to have the other one hug Mamoru as well was
simply devastating. Sadly, they turned and after a long look towards the
still glaring man and the two Angels of the Moon, they walked away, much
to Minako's indignation.

The long-suffering sigh that Minako was giving turned into a screech of
protest as Kimeko bounded over and gave her a very muddy hug. The only
consolation was that Mamoru got one as well from his tiny girlfriend.

                                 ******

"Minako-chan," Chibi-Usa asked softly as they stood by the door of the
bathroom, "Has Kimeko been actin' really funny?"

Minako glanced over to where her daughter and Usagi were relaxing in the
furo. "To tell ya the truth, before yesterday, I would have left Kimeko
on her own. I mean she is twenty and all... now though... It's like she
wants to be four."

"I know," Chibi-Usa agreed, "I didn't think Onee-san would get into the
act so much." She was starting to have her doubts about this entire
affair. "Girls," Chibi-Usa said, unable to keep the exasperation from
her voice, "You were dirty at the park. You don't need to flood the
house with water."

"We're only playin', Onee-sama," Usagi said, "Weren't we?"

"Hai," Kimeko giggled, "Sugoi!" The Tsukino's furo was much larger than
the western style tub the Aino's had. "Do I gotta take a nap, Mom?" she
questioned Minako.

"Hai," Minako stated firmly. <I need the rest.>

"But I'm not tired, Mom," Kimeko countered, "I don't wanna take a nap."

"Chibi-Usa can take one too," Chibi-Usa replied. She glared at Usagi as
her mother stuck her tongue out. "That isn't polite. Apologize,
Chibi-Usa."

"Make me!" Usagi demanded.

With a growl, Chibi-Usa started stalking towards the furo. Usagi gave a
squeak of protest and backed away from her approaching daughter. "Come
here, you," Chibi-Usa demanded and made a swipe at Usagi who easily
dodged out of the way. "I'll make you sorry," Chibi-Usa huffed
irritatedly.

"Iie," Usagi squealed in protest and dashed out and away from the furo.
Chibi-Usa whirled around to follow Usagi but her legs twisted together.
Losing her balance, she tumbled into the water with a yelp of surprise
missing Kimeko but still producing a loud splash. As a very soaked
Chibi-Usa came to the surface, she heard Kimeko and Minako along with
her mother giggling with mirth.

                                 ******

The mid-afternoon sun filtered in trough the window and across the bed.
Luna, who was lying in the largest patch of sunlight, was asleep, her
eyes tightly shut. Usagi lay on her stomach, chin resting in her cupped
hands as she swung her feet back and forth in the air, an open manga
lying in front of her.

This was definitely something that a six year old wasn't likely to do.
Usagi, however, was tired of being a six year old. Especially after her
mother had insisted on her taking a nap and confined her to her room
because she didn't obey Chibi-Usa during her bath. It combined to give
Usagi a very sour taste for being six, no matter how much she enjoyed
being pampered and playing. What was beginning to worry her even more
was that Ami didn't have any idea how to change them back.

It was, therefore, quite a surprise for Usagi when she herself came up
with what seemed a plausible idea. It centered on the fact that
PallaPalla had overheard their desires or dreams. It was Usagi's
considered opinion that if she acted like a teenager long enough, she'd
revert to her true age.

Spending time confined to her room gave Usagi a chance to calm down and
examine how she had acted. Now as she flipped through the manga, barely
noticing the pictures, she worried about Chibi-Usa.

<What's bothering her?> Usagi wondered, <Chibi-Usa seems worried and
frustrated.> She didn't know what she should do. <Misako might know how
to get us back to normal and then, I could look after Chibi-Usa.> The
history books would likely tell how they switched back; Usagi just
wasn't willing to put that type of pressure on Misako. She was drawn
from her thoughts by a knock at the door. "Come in, Onee-sama," she
called out. <It should be Chibi-Usa; the only other person that would
knock would likely be Shingo.>

Almost hesitantly, Chibi-Usa came into the room and padded over to the
bed after closing the door. "Hi," Chibi-Usa said gloomily.

"What's the matter?" Usagi questioned as she shifted so she was sitting
on the edge of the bed.

Walking over, Chibi-Usa sat down on the edge of the bed and looked down
at Usagi. "I'm tryin' to be a good onee, Imouto..."

Usagi stood up on the bed so she could look into Chibi-Usa's eyes. "Are
you upset 'cuz I caused you trouble when I wouldn't take a nap?"

"It's not just that. It's the furo too." Chibi-Usa stated heatedly,
"When you were the onee, I had to listen to you. And now that you're the
imouto, you won't listen to me."

Usagi sucked on her bottom lip for a moment before saying, "Gomen nasai,
Usagi-sama, I didn't mean to cause you trouble."

Chibi-Usa gave her mother a weak smile and as Usagi gave her a hug,
Chibi-Usa started feeling a little better. She hugged Usagi back while
saying, "I wish Misako could be here." <I really miss her.>

"I know you're trying to be a good onee, Mesume," Usagi reassured her
daughter, "You always have been to Misako." She gave her daughter a long
look before saying, "You don't like being Misako's imouto. You want
Misako to be your imouto, ne?" Usagi asked remembering Chibi-Usa's
earlier statement. Chibi-Usa nodded. "Well I don't think that could
happen while you and her are in the past."

"I know," Chibi-Usa agreed reluctantly, "I thought being an adult was...
great but..." trailing off, she blushed and lowered her head. She felt a
weight slide onto her lap and she turned her head to see that Usagi had
slid onto her lap. A smile crossed his face as she hugged her mother.
<Is this what Mom and Dad feel when we sit on their laps?> It was a warm
feeling within her heart. A caring feeling that was almost palpable.

"I'll try to help you, Onee-sama," Usagi squeaked while looking up at
Chibi-Usa.

"Arigato, you've helped lots, Chibi-Usa-chan," Chibi-Usa replied while
hugging her mother tightly. <You've helped me with all those chores that
I had problems with.> She was certainly able to cook, although the stove
made her feel a little nervous still. Thankfully, her grandmother hadn't
asked her to cook full meals. <But I don't mind cooking... The other
things are harder though.> It had taken Usagi to set her right in some
regards because she was doing the chores backwards.

                                 ******

Misako leaned against the balcony door and stared out into the night.
She could see the reflection of her father as she approached from behind
her. "I could stay home tonight," Mamoru suggested softly, "I mean we
could maybe watch some television or read a book."

"It's okay, Daddy. You should go over and see how Mom and Chibi-Usa are
doing."

Licking his lips slightly, Mamoru stepped a little closer and said, "I'm
sorry, Misako, gomen nasai. I didn't mean to hurt you but I did. It's
just... it's just..."

"I know," Misako said sadly, "For some reason, I make you feel
uncomfortable." <I don't understand. I'm just bigger... I'm still the
same inside.>

"Only like you are," Mamoru explained, a pleading look in his eyes, "I
always loved you... I still do. It's just... things are so strange with
you like an adult."

"Well Makoto's coming over to watch me." She giggled then, that
statement sounded so ridiculous considering how she looked. "Can I ask
you something, Daddy?"

"Nani?"

"When... when I do grow up, Daddy, will I make you feel uncomfortable?"

Mamoru smiled. He knew what Misako was worried about. "Iie," he
reassured her while reaching out to gently stroke her cheek, "When you
really grow up, Mesume, I'll be very proud of you." The tender moment
was then shattered by knocking at the door.

"That's probably Makoto," Misako said and darted towards the door. <I
wish Chibi-Usa was here. We could watch the movie together.> On the
other hand, she would certainly like to see how her grandparents,
father, and sister interacted in their new roles. <That might be even
better than a movie.>

                                 ******

Mamoru walked down the street towards the Tsukino home deep in thought.
<First I'll see how Usagi and Chibi-Usa are doing and then, I'll have to
convince Usagi that Misako should stay at Makoto's.> At the back of his
mind was a worry about Misako and the way he had handled the situation.

After a few minutes, he was greeted by Kenji who had answered the door.
As he removed his shoes, Usagi came running over and hugged his leg.
"Kobanwa Chiba-san," Usagi giggled out.

It took a moment for Mamoru to gain his bearings. "Well hello there,
Chibi-Usa-chan," Mamoru replied while rumpling his girlfriend's hair,
"and how are you?"

"Okay... Did you bring any candy?"

"Chibi-Usa," Kenji warned but Mamoru only grinned.

"Gomen, Chibi-Usa-chan," Mamoru said as he picked Usagi up, "I don't
think Tsukino-san would approve of me feeding you candy when it's almost
time for you to go to bed."

"Iie, it ain't," Usagi replied.

Mamoru chuckled again while shifting Usagi so he could hold her by one
arm and headed for the stairs where Chibi-Usa was standing. "Then why
are you wearing your pajamas?"

"'Cause I hafta," Usagi pouted out slightly.

"Kobanwa Usagi," Mamoru greeted Chibi-Usa and gave her a one armed hug.
He was keenly aware of both Kenji and Ikuko watching him and he became
uncomfortable. Chibi-Usa hugged him back and smiled. "How are you
tonight, Usako?" He didn't look at Usagi's face for fear of what he
would see there.

"Why don't we go sit in the living room, Mamo-chan," Chibi-Usa
suggested, "Come on, Chibi-Usa-chan, and say goodnight to Chiba-san.
Then I'll take you up and read you a story before you go to bed."

"It ain't bedtime yet. I wanna stay. Pretty please, Onee-sama?" Usagi
begged.

Chibi-Usa was about to protest this, more out of keeping in character
than anything else, when she caught the look Kenji was giving her. "Oh,
okay," she conceded. <It won't be that long, and then Kenji-papa and
Ikuko-mama will think we can be alone.> That was a good thing because
she wanted to ask Mamoru how Misako was.

"Arigato!" Usagi squeaked happily.

"Now, Chibi-Usa-chan," her father instructed, "I want you to behave, and
then no complaints when it's time for bed."

"I promise," Usagi replied to her father before snuggling close to
Mamoru.

As Ikuko made some tea, Kenji, Usagi, Mamoru, and Chibi-Usa moved into
the living room to sit and chat. A strange feeling of jealousy briefly
sped through Chibi-Usa as Usagi perched on Mamoru's knee.

"Usagi-chan, come and help me," Ikuko called from the kitchen.

"Hai Okaa-san," Chibi-Usa replied, "Come on, Chibi-Usa-chan, we can go
and help Mom." Usagi sighed but followed Chibi-Usa out of the room.
Immediately, Kenji moved to sit beside Mamoru.

Looking around conspiratorially, Kenji said in a hushed tone, "So when's
it going to be?"

"Nani?" Mamoru asked.

Kenji gave him a wide grin and elaborated, "You know, when you ask my
permission to marry Usagi." Mamoru sat in surprised silence, unable to
respond. Kenji gave a quick look around the room again before he added,
"Ikuko and I have been wondering why it's taking you so long to
propose."

Mamoru sat stunned at Kenji's words. <Propose?!? To Usagi?!?> "But
Tsukino-san... I thought you wanted me to wait."

"For what?" Kenji questioned, "Usagi is eighteen, she's just graduated
high school, and besides, both of you've been dating for a long time.
I could see if Usagi was younger but... You're still in love with her,
ne?"

"H-hai," Mamoru stuttered out as he sought for something to say.
Fortunately at that moment, Ikuko, Chibi-Usa, and a very annoyed Usagi
came into the room. Kenji moved back over to where he had been sitting
before and Usagi moved to sit on her father's lap.

"Don't you like me anymore?" Mamoru asked a pouting Usagi.

"Iie," Usagi said sulkily. She hadn't felt the warmth and security
sitting on Mamoru's knee that she had felt from her father and at that
moment, she wanted that comfort.

"It's close to bedtime and Chibi-Usa wanted a drink." Mamoru gave Ikuko
a blank look then realized what the implication was. "You know why you
can't have anything to drink, Chibi-Usa-chan. If you want to stay up
with us until bedtime, then stop pouting. If you'd rather pout, you can
go up to bed now."

"I wanna drink!" Usagi declared, "I don't care if I wet the bed."

"Come on, Chibi-Usa," Chibi-Usa directed as she stood up, "Mom said that
if you were going to pout, you could go to bed. Now say goodnight to
Chiba-san."

"Iie," Usagi said grumpily again. She felt her eyes fill with tears and
she gave a little squawk of protest as Chibi-Usa lifted her from Kenji's
knee and carried her towards the stairs. "I don't wanna go to bed!"
Usagi cried out, "Please Onee-sama!" The tears started flowing from her
eyes and she struggled against Chibi-Usa's firm hold but it was no use.

"What are you doing, Onee-san?!?" Chibi-Usa whispered as she walked up
the stairs, "You just said that you don't care if you wet the bed in
front of Mamoru!" This stopped Usagi's crying and she slumped in her
daughter's arms.

"What have I done?" Usagi moaned out as she flushed with embarrassment
and hid her face against Chibi-Usa. She felt her daughter rubbing her
back soothingly and her indignation started to seep out.

After a minute or so, Chibi-Usa had entered Usagi's room and was in the
process of tucking Usagi into bed. "No story tonight, Imouto. I don't
think Ikuko-mama or Kenji-papa would approve." Handing her mother one of
the stuffed bunny rabbits, Chibi-Usa gave Usagi a kiss on the forehead
before bidding her goodnight.

                                 ******

<What are they talking about?!?> Usagi wondered as she lay in her
darkened room. <How am I ever going to live that down?> Rolling over,
Usagi tried to sleep but the more she tried, the more her curiosity
grew. <What can it hurt?> And what were her parents, Chibi-Usa, and
Mamoru talking about? She climbed out of bed and padded over to the door
before softly opening it.

<What are they laughing about?> Her curiosity nudged at her and she
nervously stepped out into the hallway. <Good thing Shingo isn't here or
he'd want to come and see too.> Pressing against the wall, Usagi
shuffled softly down the hallway preparing to run at the first sign that
her parents were coming up the stairs. <This is like when I was little.>

The stairs had been a large concern but Usagi managed to walk down them
silently. Her parents seemed to be absorbed in conversation with Mamoru.
<I don't see why I couldn't stay up. I'm an adult!> Sure she had a body
of six year old but her soul was that of a fifteen year old.

The most dangerous stretch was the hallway that connected all the rooms.
<Here we go...> Usagi thought as she hesitantly stepped out and started
towards the living room. As she drew closer, she started making out
words. It wasn't until she had come as close as she dared to the living
room when she heard something that made her blood run cold.

"...parents are wondering when I'll marry you, Usako," Mamoru was
saying.

"That would be wonderful!" Chibi-Usa exclaimed.

Usagi quickly entered the kitchen and slunk across the room to the
darkened dining room. There she peered cautiously into the living room.
<Get your hands off my Mamo-chan!> Usagi thought as she watched
Chibi-Usa hugging HER boyfriend. <Nobody but nobody's going to marry
Mamo-chan but me!>

"So are you gonna marry me, Mamo-chan?" Chibi-Usa sighed. <I feel so
funny.>

"Well I haven't asked your father for permission yet officially," Mamoru
answered sheepishly glancing quickly over toward Kenji, "That's why I
came over tonight, Usako."

"Sugoi!" Chibi-Usa declared, and then did something no one was
expecting. She kissed Mamoru fully on the lips.

"YOU ROTTEN LITTLE SPORE!!!!" Usagi thundered as her blood pressure rose
sharply. She ran from the kitchen and continued yelling, "YOU CAN'T
MARRY MY BOYFRIEND! HE'S MINE!"

End of Chapter 23

Coming next in Chapter 24 - Bridges to the Heart