After this, only three chpaters left. ^_^

Enjoy.
------
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 26 - Painful Eclipse

The first of May was warm and sunny. The birds sang, greeting both the
pleasant weather and the people that came out to enjoy the day. Misako
and Chibi-Usa walked slowly through the park hand in hand. After a
little while, they walked over to the railing that surrounded the lake
and watched the sun shimmering off the ripples that the gentle breeze
created.

"What did Sobo say?" Misako questioned her sister.

Chibi-Usa frowned before saying, "Ikuko-mama said I could have a
sleepover."

"But..." Misako prompted when Chibi-Usa didn't continue her explanation.

"She says she's gonna put you in charge, Onee-chan." Misako gave her a
quizzical look but couldn't suppress the sense of relief starting to
rise within her. "She also said that if I do anything bad, she'd punish
you cause you'd be responsible." Misako scowled.

"That isn't fair," Misako complained.

"That's what I said," Chibi-Usa replied, "I said you could cause enough
trouble on your own!" A broad smile spread across Chibi-Usa's face and
she darted down the path.

<She was teasing me!> Misako thought with irritation. "'SAGI!" she
bellowed as she ran after her sister, "When I catch you!" She knew she
never would. Chibi-Usa could outrun her even at this age. Slowing she
walked, trying to keep track of her fleeing sister. <Baka Onee-chan,>
Misako thought sulkily, but felt herself smile. <I wouldn't want you to
change.>

"SURPRISE!" Chibi-Usa suddenly shouted from out of nowhere. Misako gave
a yelp of surprise and whirled to see her sister standing no more than
ten feet away from her. Chibi-Usa giggled and said, "You didn't notice
me sneaking up on you."

<How am I going to get her?> Misako thought. "When I get a hold of
you..." Misako threatened.

"Gotta catch me first," Chibi-Usa chirped brightly.

Misako looked around to see if anyone was around. <Being cocky will get
you killed. Or in the case of Sakuya, yelled at... a lot!> It was time
to bring her sister down a peg or two. <Gotta slow her down...> Quickly
turning to face Chibi-Usa, she lunged. As expected, Chibi-Usa turned and
fled off to the side, plowing right into a bush. The little girl saw her
doom coming when Misako lunged again and both girls crashed into the
bush noisily.

"Are you okay?!?" Misako demanded of her sister.

Chibi-Usa paused a moment to see if she was hurt and then said, "I'm
okay."

"Good," Misako stated and, in two quick motions, pinned Chibi-Usa's arms
to her sides and straddled Chibi-Usa's back. "Now, 'Sagi, I think you
need to be nice to your onee-chan."

"Iie," Chibi-Usa protested.

"Oh yeah," Misako squealed gleefully and ensuring that Chibi-Usa's arms
couldn't move by wedging them against Chibi-Usa's side with her legs,
Misako took her hands and started tickling Chibi-Usa.

"Stop!" Chibi-Usa cried through her laughter. She wriggled around but
Misako had effectively pinned. "I promise, Onee-chan, I'll be nice."

"You gonna tell me the truth?"

"Hai," Chibi-Usa got out between her laughter.

"Okay, tell it all," Misako commanded, stopping her tickling but keeping
her sister in place. Chibi-Usa took several seconds catching her breath.
After a moment, Chibi-Usa calmed and remained still for a moment. "Are
you okay, 'Sagi-chan?" Misako questioned in a worried tone. She swung
her leg over to one side and sat on the ground.

Chibi-Usa remained still for moment longer before getting up and
brushing off the front of her jeans and pink T-shirt. She looked towards
Misako who was also wearing jeans but had a purple T-shirt on. "I'm
okay, Miko-chan," Chibi-Usa answered while she moved to sit beside her
sister. "I was just thinking."

"Nani?" Misako questioned as she pulled her knees up to her chest and
rested her arms on top of them. Chibi-Usa did the same but hugged her
legs instead.

"I was just thinking about you and me," Chibi-Usa said softly. She
stared at the bushes that surrounded them and she added, "Do you know
where we are?" Misako shook her head slightly. "This is my favorite
place in the entire park."

"Why?"

"When you... when you got hurt by that Lemure," Chibi-Usa explained
softly in a strained voice, "When Usagi was mad at me, I came here. I
hid here." Misako was about to ask something but reconsidered it. "Daddy
came and had a talk with me." Chibi-Usa continued, "When I'm here, I
remember I might have lost you." She turned her face to look at Misako
and Misako saw that she had been crying.

"I've had fun," Misako commented softly while hugging her sister, "Not
just today but... since I came back." She sat silently for a long time
and then said, "I'm scared, 'Sagi. I'm scared that when I go back..."
She closed her lips into a thin tight line. <I can't talk about the
future.> "Is Sobo gonna let you have a sleepover?"

"Hai," Chibi-Usa replied and hugged her sister, "She said I could... but
I can only invite Momoko over, and you hafta be there." She gave Misako
a kiss on the cheek before saying, "Don't be scared, Onee-chan, I'm
gonna be there."

"That's why I'm scared," Misako whispered out. Before Chibi-Usa could
question that, a scream pierced the air. "What was that?!?"

"I don't know. Let's take a look," Chibi-Usa suggested as she scrambled
to her feet.

"Okay, but let's transform first."

Chibi-Usa nodded and took out her broach, before crying out, "MOON PRISM
POWER, MAKE-UP!"

Misako followed in similar fashion and cried out, "EARTH PRISM POWER,
MAKE-UP!"

                                 ******

Quickly moving from tree to tree, the two small Senshi quickly located
the source of the scream. CereCere stood over a group of people and
scowled as she looked through the dream mirrors. Chibi-Moon started
moving forward but was yanked back by Chibi-Earth who shook her head
sternly and motioned to her to stay back.

"What are you doing?" Chibi-Moon questioned softly. She scowled as she
saw her sister produce a communicator. "How..." she trailed off and
scowled even more. <Why don't I get a communicator?!> she whined to
herself, <And it's the kind the Younger Senshi have too!> She was not
pleased. "We gotta do something!" Chibi-Moon said seriously as
Chibi-Earth finished alerting the other Senshi.

"Mom told us to wait," Chibi-Earth replied.

"Iie, come on, Chibi-Earth. We have to at least make sure she doesn't do
anything to those mirrors." Chibi-Earth looked unhappy about the
prospect of disobeying their mother. "If she gets mad because..." she
faulted and then added quickly, "Whatever she's looking for then, she
might smash the mirrors."

"Iie, Chibi-Moon, this is a bad idea. You remember what happened the
last time," Chibi-Earth countered. <What if I freeze again? I don't have
the power.>

"Are you chicken?!?" Chibi-Moon questioned.

Chibi-Earth grabbed the front of her sister's fuku and drew her sister
closer. "Iie, but I'm not baka either." She looked into Chibi-Moon's
face and stated in a deadly serious tone, "We do this my way,
Chibi-Moon. You listen to me; you do exactly like I say. If you have a
problem with that, then I'll sit on you until Mom shows up. I'm putting
my butt on the line. You aren't going to make sure Mom has any more
reason to kick it than I'm already giving her!"

"Hai... so what's the plan?" Chibi-Moon replied.

                                 ******

CereCere's face twisted into a deep scowl as she finished looking
through the dream mirrors. "Nothing," she muttered out in frustration,
"Nothing at all!" Zirconia was becoming even more impatient with their
failures.

The attack startled her. "RED ROSE HEART ATTACK!" crashed into her
thoughts. No sooner had she registered the shouted words, then another
voice shouted out, "PINK SUGAR HEART ATTACK!" CereCere disregarded the
mirrors and looked around. No sooner had she started looking for the
source, then two attacks slammed into her. "Ahh!!!" CereCere cried. The
attacks stung but did no damage. "Nani?!?" CereCere questioned and she
saw the little girls, "What do you think you're doing?!"

"You have no right to attack people!" Chibi-Earth stated calmly.

"You have no right to turn people's dreams into nightmares. I am Sailor
CHIBI-MOON!" Chibi-Moon yelled.

"And Sailor CHIBI-EARTH!" Chibi-Earth shouted.

"In the name of the future Moon, WE WILL PUNISH YOU!" both Senshi
finished.

CereCere's smile twisted in a sneer. "You little girls? Punish me?!?"
Chibi-Moon and Chibi-Earth moved to attack but CereCere countered and
knocked them backward with her own attack. Tsking slightly, CereCere
said, "Such naughtiness can't go unpunished." Making motions like a
magician, she twisted her hands together as if crushing something. When
she separated them, a tiny figurine stood on the palm of her hand.

Placing it on the ground, CereCere called out, "Nana-chan! Nana-chan!
Come here and teach these children some manners." The two young Senshi,
who had scrambled to their feet, watched in horror as the figurine grew
until a very large obese woman with a beard stood before them. It had
greasy black hair that was pulled tightly back into a bun, her eyes
twinkled evilly.

"Certainly, CereCere-sama," the Lemure responded. Reaching behind her,
Nana brought out a paddle and grinned. "Sugar and spice and everything
nice... these little girls AREN'T made of that."

"Wanna bet?!" Chibi-Moon challenged and shouted out, "PINK SUGAR HEART
ATTACK!" Nana deflected the attack with her paddle and waved a pudgy
finger admonishingly.

"CHIBI-EARTH KICK!" Chibi-Earth cried as she launched herself into the
air and snapped her foot into the proper position.

"How rude!" Nana shrilled as Chibi-Earth connected to a flabby arm and
bounced off. "Come here, you!" Nana cried and started running, or rather
waddling after Chibi-Earth. Chibi-Earth wasn't going to give her a
chance to get close and started running.

<Come on, Chibi-Moon!> Chibi-Earth thought, <What are you doing?!?>

"PINK SUGAR HEART ATTACK!" Chibi-Moon cried out from behind the Lemure
who turned.

<Now!> Chibi-Earth thought. Running up, she leapt up, sat upon the huge
woman's shoulders, and covered her eyes. "Chibi-Moon, her legs!"

"Hai!" Chibi-Moon responded and rushed at the woman's legs. "She's too
fat!" Chibi-Moon shouted when she noticed her arms wouldn't go around
even one of the huge legs. "I think she's the only thing that eats more
than Mommy."

"Chibi-Moon!" Chibi-Earth shouted while trying to keep her hold on the
Lemure that was now wildly dancing around the ground, "Do something!"

"What do you want me to do?!?" Chibi-Moon questioned irritatedly.

"LET GO!" Nana bellowed in a booming, commanding voice. She stopped her
wild dance and snapped the leg that Chibi-Moon was clinging to forward.
The sudden move caught Chibi-Moon off-guard and she went tumbling away.
"And as for you!" Nana said angrily. Reaching up, the Lemure snagged
Chibi-Earth's fuku and yanked. Chibi-Earth tumbled forward and then
found herself trapped in the crook of the Lemure's elbow.

"IIE!" Chibi-Moon shouted as the Lemure lifted up the giant paddle.

"HERE NOW!" came the voice of Sailor Moon, "No one punishes my children
but me... especially when I TOLD them to WAIT!" She gave Chibi-Moon and
Chibi-Earth stern looks and before continuing, "I am the Pretty Sailor
suited Soldier... SAILOR MOON! And in the name of the Moon, I WILL
PUNISH YOU!"

"VENUS LOVE-ME CHAIN!" Venus shouted. Her golden chain sailed out and
wrapped itself around Chibi-Earth who was pulled to relative safety.

As Sailor Venus freed her sister, Chibi-Moon and Sailor Moon transformed
into their super forms. "CHIBI-MOON!" Sailor Moon commanded.

"Hai!" Chibi-Moon replied. Kneeling, Chibi-Moon prayed, "Pegasus, please
protect everyone's dreams!" Standing, she started to ring the Charion
Bell while shouting, "Twinkle Yell!"

When Pegasus came forth, Sailor Moon shouted out her attack and banished
the Lemure back to its shadowy realm. Its last utterance was a
high-pitched and whiny, "Stage out!"

Chibi-Moon ran to her sister and questioned, "Are you okay, Onee-chan?"

Chibi-Earth looked between Chibi-Moon and Sailor Moon before putting her
hand on Chibi-Moon's shoulder. "I only got one thing to say."

"Nani?"

"RUN!" and both little girls ran with an irritated Sailor Moon chasing
after them.

                                 ******

A gentle breeze rustled the curtains across the balcony door. The only
sound other than the ticking of the clock was Mamoru's soft and gentle
voice. He was sitting on the couch in a pair of casual brown pants and a
dark blue shirt. Misako had come over to showoff her new blue skirt and
pale yellow blouse she had just bought. Now though, she was sitting on
his lap and leaning back against her father. Together they held a book
that Mamoru was reading from. After a few minutes, Mamoru paused in his
reading and put the book aside.

Giving Misako a hug, he asked, "Was that fight scary yesterday, Mesume?"

Misako considered this for a moment before resting her head against his
chest and closing her eyes. "Hai Daddy, when the Lemure caught me."

"Not before then?" Mamoru asked and when Misako shook her head slightly
he asked, "Why not?"

"'Cause I had 'Sagi there," Misako replied. Pausing a moment, she said,
"I used to think that being 'Sagi's onee would be great... I like it but
now... I want it to be like it should be." They sat in silence for a
moment or so before she added, "I'd still like to be an onee, though."

Mamoru gently smiled and stroked one of her pigtails. "Are you asking me
if your mother and I will give you a imouto? So you and Chibi-Usa can
give her rabbit ear odangos, ne?" To Mamoru's surprise, Misako started
to giggle. "I think you look kawaii with rabbit ear odangos."

Misako giggled and shifted so she was sitting sideways. Hugging her
father, she looked up at him and stated softly, "I might not get an
imouto. If you and Mommy have another baby, it might be a boy." Misako
considered for a moment and said, "I... I don't want that baby to be
lonely like I was." She felt uneasy about the idea of her parents having
other children.

"Miko-chan," Mamoru remarked gently, "Sometimes you don't know what else
is going on. I don't know what really happened in the future but I'm
sure there's more than just what you think might have happened. I know
Usagi and I know Serenity. I think your mother loves you no matter what
her name." Misako didn't have a response to this so Mamoru added, "You
came back almost hating Chibi-Usa but now, you love her and you and her
spend a lot of time together."

"Otou-san?" Misako questioned softly, "I need some help."

"With what?"

She felt her mouth dry slightly and she asked, "Otou-san, if you want to
help me, then you have to promise not say anything to anybody." Mamoru
frowned and Misako added, "Please Otou-san, this is good but... if you
say something, it might not happen."

Mamoru's frown deepened and he pointed out, "You're not supposed to tell
me about the future, Misako."

Misako looked deeply into Mamoru's eyes for a long time and then
explained softly, "Otou-san, this is important to me. It's important to
a lot of people. If Sailor Pluto gets mad at me, then she gets mad at
me."

Mamoru sat silently for a long time and then relented, "All right,
Misako, I promise I won't say anything of this discussion to anyone."

"Sugoi!" Misako chirped while hugging her father tighter. "'Sagi
kinda... Well, she thinks that you 'n' Mom will have another baby girl."
She giggled slightly and continued, "It isn't true though. Sakuya's
gonna have... has a baby." Mamoru's eyes widened in surprised shock and
he stared at Misako for a long time unbelievingly.

"Sakuya... h-has a baby?!?" Mamoru squeaked out in disbelief. Misako
giggled at her father's squeaky voice and nodded. "How... how's that
possible?!?"

"Daddy," Misako huffed with slight exasperation, "You told me how babies
are made." Mamoru paled and Misako's look of exasperation grew. "When I
was nine after... well... Okaa-san had `The Talk' with me."

Mamoru sat silently for a long time before shaking his head. "Iie
Miko-chan," he said with a hint of mirth in his voice, "That wasn't what
I meant. But I never thought that Sakuya would get married." When Misako
shifted uncomfortably, Mamoru gave her a sharp look, which caused Misako
to blush. "Should I even ask?" he questioned sternly.

"Iie," Misako quipped and rapidly shook her head, "I can't talk about
that." <Even if I wanted to save my behind from that spanking.> More
importantly though, she didn't want to give up that special week.
<Sakuya might never have forgiven 'Sagi either...> And that was very
important.

"Okay I won't, but Sakuya got married."

"Hai," Misako replied with some relief, "She married Kimeko's onii."
Mamoru's surprise in the matter was less than before but still enough to
make Misako feel slightly exasperated. <Sakuya's a nice person!> "You
don't think somebody would want to marry Sakuya?"

Mamoru drew a hand over his face for a moment and sighed, "I don't
really know her, Miko-chan. I... kinda feel sorry for the guy." He
noticed the dark look Misako was giving him so he quickly added, "Gomen,
did you know she once beat me up?"

Misako gave her father a dubious look before saying, "Don't fib, Daddy."
It was Mamoru's turn to scowl but she didn't notice. "The baby's name is
Atsuko."

"I bet Makoto and Minako would be happy to know their grandparents,
although that would make Makoto a great-grandmother." He frowned then
and asked, "Ne, if this is Sakuya's mesume, why does Chibi-Usa think
it's her and your new imouto?"

"Diana overheard me and she told 'Sagi who asked me about it. I couldn't
tell 'Sagi 'cause she has to be mad when she goes back," she explained.
"Iie Daddy," fearing the next question, "I can't tell you why she has to
be mad; she just does."

"So what do you need help with?"

"I want to know how I can ask Sakuya if I can be Atsuko's onee," Misako
replied. <I guess 'Sagi will be her onee but I don't think 'Sagi'd be
mad if we're both her onee. I think it'd be kinda neat!>

"You want to be Atsuko's onee... and you want me to help you?"

"I like 'Sagi being my imouto but she's really my onee and I know she
has to be; it's the way things should be. I still want to be an onee and
Atsuko needs an onee." <Even if she has 'Sagi. And 'Sagi better be nice
to Atsuko!> It was, however, hard to picture her sister being as mean to
Atsuko as she had been to Misako. "I just don't know who to ask... or if
I even should."

Mamoru sat quietly for a few moments before saying, "I don't think you
should ask them, Miko-chan." Seeing the quizzical look that Misako was
giving him, he explained, "What happens if they don't want you as
Atsuko's onee?"

Slightly blushing, Misako looked towards her lap before saying softly,
"I didn't want to think about that." She picked at the fabric of her
blue skirt before adding, "It's something I want though... I mean I want
to be an onee." She sniffled a little and said softly, "Maybe I'm
wrong."

"Nani?"

Misako blinked her eyes and gave another sniffle. "Maybe... maybe I just
want to be Atsuko's onee because 'Sagi will be." <If I just want it
'cause 'Sagi will get to be Atsuko's onee, that would be wrong.> She
didn't know why she wanted to be the baby's onee and that lack of
understanding bothered her.

Mamoru hugged her tightly for a moment before starting to rub her back.
"Misako," Mamoru began seriously, "You can't assume things. What's to
say that Sakuya would want Chibi-Usa to be Atsuko's onee?" Misako looked
up into his face and he sighed a little. Giving her forehead a gentle
kiss, he added, "I know it seems pretty obvious why she would but
there's one important reason why she wouldn't?"

"What's that?" Misako asked softly while wiping at her eyes.

"Chibi-Usa already has an imouto, that's you," Mamoru pointed out
softly, "Miko-chan, I think if you offer to help out and not expect
anything in return, you might be surprised. Atsuko's parents might think
you would make a good onee."

                                 ******

The following Sunday was a bright and sunny day. The grass was a rich
green, the sky clear blue, and deep earthen smells filled the air after
the previous night's rain. As they ate lunch at the Tsukino's dinning
room table, Chibi-Usa and Momoko talked and giggled about different
things. Both little girls had spent the morning with Misako playing and
now were planning on their afternoon activities.

Misako for her part chewed listlessly at her sandwich. <Why am I tired?>
Misako thought as she took another bite of her sandwich. <I'm hungry.
I'm just tired, though.>

Chibi-Usa's voice broke into her thoughts when the little girl asked,
"Ne, Onee-chan, are you okay?"

"Hai," Misako chirped after a moment, "Just thinking."

"We wanna go to the park. Would you take us?" Chibi-Usa questioned
before stuffing the rest of her third sandwich into her mouth.
"Ikuko-mama, can I have another one?"

"Another one?!?" Ikuko questioned as she came out from the kitchen,
"Sweetheart, you've had three already."

"But I'm still hungry," Chibi-Usa whined slightly.

"What about some ice cream for dessert?" Ikuko offered, "I think three
sandwiches are good enough." Chibi-Usa considered before nodding. "I'm
afraid we only have vanilla."

"No chocolate?" Chibi-Usa questioned with obvious disappointment showing
in her voice.

Ikuko gave Chibi-Usa a slightly exasperated look and stated, "You and
Usagi finished that off last night." Chibi-Usa blinked and opened her
mouth to protest that statement but Ikuko pinned her with a stern
expression. "I know about that little midnight raid, Chibi-Usa. What I
want to know is who had the urge to eat that can of tuna?"

<Well I couldn't leave Diana out of it,> Chibi-Usa thought. "Okay
Ikuko-mama, I'll have vanilla please. You want some, Momo-chan?"

"Hai, please Tsukino-san," Momoko responded.

"What about you, Miko-chan?" Ikuko questioned. When Misako gave her a
blank look, she asked, "Are you okay, Miko-chan?"

"Hai... Iie, arigato Ikuko-mama, I think I'll go take a nap," Misako
responded.

"But Onee-chan, I wanted to go to the park," Chibi-Usa complained.

Ikuko gave Misako a long look before turning to look at Chibi-Usa.
"Well, I'll let you and Momoko go alone. But, I'm coming down there
sometime. You better be in the park or on your way home."

"Don't you trust me?" Chibi-Usa questioned sulkily.

Ikuko smiled and walked over to stand beside Chibi-Usa, "I do trust you,
Chibi-Usa-chan." Leaning down, she added, "I just don't want to worry,
that's all." As she stood up, Ikuko watched as Misako got up and carried
her plate into the kitchen. Following her niece, Ikuko asked, "Are you
really feeling okay, Misako?"

"Hai," Misako responded and made her way towards the stairs. <Gomen
'Sagi.> After walking to her room, Misako laid down on her futon while
hugging her bear. After a short time though, she didn't fall asleep like
she had expected and instead, simply lay there, eyes closed.

<Why can't I sleep?> It was so strange. <Maybe I don't feel tired...>
But if she wasn't tired, what was she feeling? <Should I tell Sobo?> As
she sat up, she grunted slightly while grimacing. <Maybe later, I think
I gotta go to the bathroom.> She thought about walking down the stairs
and shook her head. <I don't want to get sick. I'd miss watching 'Sagi
run in her race on Saturday.>

                                 ******

Over the next few days, Chibi-Usa became concerned. Although Misako
would play with her, it was as if Misako was withdrawing from everybody.
Her concern intensified when Misako skipped one of her gymnastics
practices. This was a sign that there was something serious going on.

Walking into the bedroom that evening after supper, Chibi-Usa asked,
"Ne, Onee-chan, Kenji-papa said that if we take our bath right now,
he'll go get us that movie we wanted to see." Misako looked towards her
sister for a moment and then grimaced. "Are you okay?"

"Hai," Misako responded, "I guess we can do that. So are you gonna go
and tell Kenji-papa?" Chibi-Usa nodded and opening the bedroom door
called down the stairs to their grandfather who must have been waiting
at the bottom. "Well let's get ready then," Misako stated again and
fought off the urge to shiver.

A short time later, both girls were relaxing in the furo. Chibi-Usa slid
close and asked, "Ne Onee-chan, what's the matter?"

"Nani?" Misako questioned.

"What's the matter?" Chibi-Usa repeated, "Are you mad at me?"

"Iie 'Sagi-chan," Misako replied, "I'm not mad at you. Why?"

Chibi-Usa traced a pattern in the water with her finger before saying,
"Just 'cause you don't seem to want to play with me." She glanced over
towards Misako and gave her a long looked, "So what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Misako lied, "I just... I don't really feel like playing. I
promise, 'Sagi, I'm not mad at you."

"Why'd you skip gymnastics then?" Chibi-Usa questioned. At Misako's
shocked expression, Chibi-Usa elaborated, "I went to watch you but you
weren't there." She gave her sister a concerned look before adding,
"Please Imouto, tell me what's wrong?"

Misako looked glumly towards the water. <I can't tell her the truth.>
The upcoming events were too important to the timeline. <Mom hasn't
really noticed but I think Sobo has. I guess I should fake a cold or
something.> She didn't like the thought of that. "I just didn't feel
like going."

"Misako," Chibi-Usa said seriously, "You never miss gymnastics unless
you really hafta, so what's going on?"

Misako sighed and replied, "Usagi, I want you to promise me that you
won't tell anybody anything."

"I promise, Misako."

"All I can tell you is that it's important to the timeline. I didn't
even know it would happen to me. It's tough and I can't let on to
anybody that something's really wrong. I might have to fake a cold for
Sobo. Mom hasn't noticed anything."

"What's wrong?!?" Chibi-Usa demanded.

"'Sagi, I can't tell you. I wish I could but I can't. What's going to
happen NEEDS to happen. Like I said, I didn't think it would happen to
me. It's a surprise to me and I couldn't explain it to you." Chibi-Usa
didn't look happy about that. "Onee-chan," Misako said softly, "You have
to trust me. If this doesn't go like it's supposed to... Crystal Tokyo
might not exist." <The world might not exist.> "'Sagi-chan, this is
very, VERY important. Nobody can know what I've said."

<Which ain't much!> Chibi-Usa thought sulkily. "Hai Misako, I promise I
won't say anything."

"Arigato," Misako replied and gave her sister a tight hug, "Now let's go
get ready and watch that movie."

                                 ******

A few nights later, Ikuko softly left her bed and entered into the
darkened hallway. <Who's downstairs?> she wondered as she adjusted her
robe and padded down the hallway. <I heard them go down but nobody came
back up.> It certainly wasn't Luna or Diana. <I hope Chibi-Usa isn't
trying to leave.> Likely though, it was Misako. As she approached the
bottom of the stairs, she paused and listened. In the quietness of
downstairs, she could hear the ticking of the clock and a sound almost
like whimpering.

Softly walking towards the living room, she paused by the corner. <Hai,
it is coming from here.> Now that she was closer, the whimpering sounded
almost like someone softly crying. Ikuko's concern rose and she stepped
into the darkened living room. It didn't take long to locate the source
of the sound. Misako was curled up into a ball on the couch and groaning
slightly.

"Misako," Ikuko called softly as she came quickly over to the couch,
"What's the matter, honey?"

<I feel so strange.> It was almost like a numbing pain. She was cold and
weak. "Daddy..." Misako whispered out. <I'm scared.> What would happen
to her?

"Honey," Ikuko asked softly while rubbing the child's back, "What's the
matter?"

"I don't feel good, Ikuko-mama," Misako mumbled out.

"Do you feel sick?" Ikuko asked gently while reaching for a nearby lamp.
When she flicked the light, on she gave a little gasp. <She's white!>
"Are you cold, Misako?"

"Hai," Misako said softly, "My... tummy hurts." <I can't worry Mommy and
'Sagi too much. I should've left with Kimeko.> As Ikuko lifted her, she
fought down the moan that rose from within.

"Why didn't you wake somebody up?" her grandmother questioned while she
cradled Misako. Misako for her part just clung to Ikuko and shivered.
"Is it just your tummy that hurts?" There was a long pause and then
Misako pointed to her stomach.

<I didn't want Mommy or 'Sagi getting suspicious.> Misako looked up into
Ikuko's face and said softly, "'Sagi needs to train for the her race.
Onee-san has school tomorrow." <I feel worse than I'm telling you.>

Ikuko gave her niece a stern look before her expression softened into
tenderness. "Well you can't stay here, alone." Reaching over and turning
off the lamp, she held Misako so she could rub the little girl's back.
"It'll be okay. Just relax and try to go to sleep." Despite her worry,
Ikuko smiled as Misako wrapped her arms around her grandmother's neck
before snuggling close.

<I'm glad you came down,> Misako thought, <It seems to bother me more if
I'm around Mommy or 'Sagi.> Although her discomfort didn't lessen, she
found some solace and finally drifted off to sleep as Ikuko talked
softly in her ear and rubbed her back comfortingly.

The next morning Misako was shocked to find that she was snuggled close
to her grandmother. As she shifted slightly and noticed that she was in
her grandparents' bedroom, Ikuko opened her eyes and softly asked, "How
are you feeling, Misako?"

<The same,> Misako thought. "Better, arigato." She managed a smile as
Ikuko gave her a hug. "I should go back to my room or 'Sagi'll likely
get worried." Giving her grandmother a quick kiss, she slid out from
under the warm covers before turning to leave.

Misako managed to get outside her grandparents' bedroom with the door
closed before she gripped her mid-section and gritted her teeth. <I
can't keep this up much longer.> Straightening, she forced herself to
walk normally up to her room. <Good... 'Sagi isn't up yet.> Sighing
silently in relief, she slid under the covers of her futon and curled up
again just as the alarm rang.

                                 ******

By that Thursday though, Misako knew she wasn't fooling either Ikuko or
Usagi. She suspected that her sister had said something since even
Shingo was looking particularly worried. As the Tsukino's sat around the
dining room table, Misako felt like she was under a microscope.

"Misako," Usagi suddenly said, "What's wrong? You don't look well at
all." Chibi-Usa nodded her agreement, her face showing open concern and
fear.

"I... think it's just a cold," Misako lied in her best congested voice.

Ikuko gave Misako a stern look and reaching out felt her forehead, "You
don't have fever."

"Well..." Misako began softly and trailed off. <Uh oh!> she thought
before a wash of pain shot through her entire body. Her head jerked
forward slamming into the table before she suddenly jerked backward with
a high-pitched scream as every muscle in her body suddenly constricted.
Her chair toppled backwards and she fell to the floor in a heap. For a
moment, the rest of the Tsukino family sat in shocked silence before
starting to react.

                                 ******

It was well past midnight when Kenji and Ikuko returned from the
hospital. Usagi was waiting for them when they entered the house, her
eyes were puffy and red from crying, and her face was a mask of worry.
Before Usagi could even utter a greeting, there was the pounding of
small feet on the stairs. Kenji had just finished hanging up both his
and Ikuko's coat when Chibi-Usa ran down the last few steps and up to
her grandparents.

"Where's Misako?!?" she demanded while looking up into her grandparents'
faces. "Is she okay?!?" Her face was streaked with tears, and her eyes
were red and puffy.

"Chibi-Usa," Usagi suggested gently, "Why don't you go back up to bed."

"Nani?!?" Chibi-Usa shouted, "Misako's hurt and... I want to know how
she is!" Kenji moved forward and squatted in front of his niece, "I
gotta know, please Kenji-papa. What happened to Misako?" her voice was
soft, pleading.

"Chibi-Usa," Kenji said softly, "Why don't you come with me. Your oba
wants to talk to Usagi." Chibi-Usa's bottom lip trembled again and as
Kenji drew her into a hug and lifted her up, she started to softly cry
again. Rubbing her back, Kenji walked down the hall and entered into the
kitchen.

"Okaa-san?" Usagi questioned after watching her daughter and father walk
into the kitchen.

Ikuko walked over to the couch and sat down. "Usagi, did you manage to
call Misako's father?"

"I tried but there wasn't any answer," Usagi replied softly while moving
to sit beside her mother. <Mamo-chan, where are you?> She noticed the
weariness on her mother's face so she reached out and gave her mother's
hand a gentle squeeze. "It's bad, ne?"

"The doctors don't know what's wrong." Ikuko rubbed her head and sighed,
"I don't really understand everything the doctors were talking about."
She paused for a moment and took Usagi's hands. "Mesume, it doesn't look
good. Misako's under heavy sedation. Without the sedation, she was
almost comatose but... she could feel pain." Usagi gave a little sob and
Ikuko hugged her closely. As her daughter cried, Ikuko could feel her
own tears roll down her cheeks. "Did Chibi-Usa and Shingo give you any
trouble?"

"Iie," Usagi answered once she had gained a little control. "I feel bad
for Chibi-Usa but, I think it bothered Shingo a lot too," Usagi said
with a shiver and hugged her mother. "What are we going to tell
Chibi-Usa? Misako means so much to her..." <To us,> Usagi thought, <I
should have gone with you, Mesume.> But she had been asked to stay with
Chibi-Usa and Shingo.

"I think we have to tell Chibi-Usa the truth but I want your father and
I to handle it," Ikuko stated softly, "If things... if things get worse,
then not telling Chibi-Usa the truth could hurt her even more." She felt
Usagi shiver again and Ikuko held her daughter close. <Just have faith
that things will be okay.>

                                 ******

While Ikuko was talking with Usagi, Kenji was trying to give Chibi-Usa
some reassurance. He didn't say anything; instead, he simply hugged
Chibi-Usa and allowed her to cry herself out. Her face remained rested
against his tear-stained shirt as her arms encircled his neck. Kenji
stroked Chibi-Usa's hair, which hung loosely, having been taken down for
the night.

"Where's Misako?" Chibi-Usa asked a short time after she had ran dry of
tears.

"Usagi," Kenji said gently, "Misako's in the hospital." Chibi-Usa raised
her head to look up at Kenji and he continued gently, "She's going to be
staying there for a while."

"Can I see her?" Chibi-Usa asked.

Kenji paused and then said, "We can go to the hospital tomorrow and ask
but I can't promise the doctors will let you see Misako."

"She's going to be okay, ne?" Chibi-Usa asked. When Kenji's eyes flicked
away from hers for the briefest of moments, her blood chilled. "Misako's
going to be okay, ne Kenji-papa?" Chibi-Usa repeated.

"Usagi, Misako is very ill. The doctors don't know if she'll get
better." Chibi-Usa's face crumpled but she had run dry of tears. As
Kenji held her close, her body shook with dry heart-wrenching sobs.
"It's late, Chibi-Usa, why don't you go to bed." Chibi-Usa shook her
head before opening her mouth to protest. Kenji looked into her eyes and
her protest died on her lips. "Why don't you go sleep with Usagi. She
needs you to be there for her," Kenji suggested.

"Misako has to be okay," Chibi-Usa whispered softly, "She just has to
be." She had a sudden longing for her mother and Usagi seemed to have
read her mind. After giving her grandfather a kiss on the cheek, she
reached out her arms to Usagi who gathered her in and held her close.

"Come on, Imouto," Usagi said softly, "Time for all good little girls to
be in bed." Giving her father a one armed hug, she turned and walked out
of the kitchen and then towards the stairs. Chibi-Usa rested her head
against her mother's shoulder, eyes closed, heart yearning for Misako's
presence.

                                 ******

Usagi stood by the door to Misako's hospital room and hugged herself.
<Mesume, please be all right. With all we've been through, you have to
be all right.> She lowered her head so she was looking at the floor. <I
don't think any of us slept last night. I can't even remember what was
taught in school today.> She hadn't wanted to go but she needed to talk
to Ami and Chibi-Usa wouldn't have gone if Usagi herself hadn't.

It took several seconds to realize that there was someone standing in
front of her. Slowly Usagi lifted her head and eventually met the
worried eyes of Mamoru. "Usako?" he asked softly while reaching out an
arm. With a silent cry of relief, she walked forward and buried her face
against his chest. "Gomen," he said softly while wrapping both arms
around her in a warm hug.

"Mamo-chan... Where were you?" Usagi questioned softly, "I tried to call
but... you weren't there." Her voice sounded bitter and angry.

"Usako," Mamoru soothed gently while stroking her hair, "I got home late
from errands I had to run. I never checked my messages until just a
little while ago and I came straight over." She felt her giving little
sobs that shook her shoulders. "How's Chibi-Usa doing?"

Sniffling a little, Usagi raised her head and looked deeply into his
eyes. "She's... she's talking to Misako now," Usagi answered softly, "I
don't even know if Misako can hear her." She forced a crooked smile and
added, "They weren't going to let Chibi-Usa see Misako but our daughter
wouldn't be kept from her sister." <Mamo-chan, hold me. I'm so scared.>
She hugged him tightly, trying to draw comfort from his presence.

"How is she?" he finally asked after a long silence.

"They don't know what's wrong, Mamo-chan," Usagi answered and then
looked away for a moment. "I got a scan using Ami's computer but I don't
know if it'll help." She looked up at Mamoru and asked, "C-Could you go
in and get Chibi-Usa. We need to go home and..." she trailed off as
Mamoru kissed her forehead gently.

Giving Usagi one final hug, he pulled away and gently opened the room's
door. Inside, he saw Chibi-Usa sitting beside the bed, both hands
holding Misako's. Softly entering the room, he closed the door, trying
not to look at the little body in the bed. "Chibi-Usa," he called
softly. Chibi-Usa didn't move for a moment before slowly turning around.
Her face was streaked with tears, eyes red and puffy from crying.

"Daddy," Chibi-Usa cried softly while moving towards her father. As
Mamoru lifted her into a hug, she wrapped her arms around him and
snuggled her head under his chin. "I don't know what to do," Chibi-Usa
whispered out, "I tried talking to her but she just couldn't hear me."
She cried with fear, anger, and frustration.

Mamoru held his daughter close while moving to the chair and sitting
down. Keeping the comforting hold on the little girl, he started to talk
softly to her. Eventually, she calmed into only occasionally sniffling.
"Chibi-Usa-chan, did Misako say anything to you?"

Chibi-Usa regarded the trusting face of her father before looking away.
She turned her eyes upon the small figure in the bed, which seemed to be
hooked up to all sorts of scary looking machines. "Chibi-Usa?"

The desire to tell her father what Misako had told her welled up within
her but she managed to fight it off. Guilt ate away at her because of
her silence. <But I promised Misako. Should I have told somebody?> A
hand gently turned her face so that she was looking at Mamoru again. <I
need to tell him something but... I'm scared.> Shakily Chibi-Usa said,
"Misako told me that I should run in the race tomorrow." Sadly Chibi-Usa
thought, <She said I had to.>

"I think you should," Mamoru remarked softly, "You've been practicing
for the race for a while now. I don't think Misako would want you to
give that up."

Chibi-Usa sat silently for a long time before nodding slowly. "I'll run
in the race. I'm gonna win it for you, Misako, I promise." Twisting in
Mamoru's arms, she leaned over and gave her sister a gentle hug and a
kiss on the cheek. Misako was sedated but Chibi-Usa could still feel the
tension in her sister's muscles.

"Time to go," Mamoru instructed gently, "Usagi's waiting for you."
Chibi-Usa turned around and was about to protest but Mamoru lifted her
from his lap and stood her on the floor. "Iie, don't argue, Mesume."
Giving Chibi-Usa a gentle push towards the door, he said, "Go on, I'll
be out in a minute or so." Chibi-Usa gave him a sad look but complied
and left the room.

Standing, Mamoru took the little girl's hand and squeezed it gently. "Oh
Mesume, please be all right." His facial features clenched as a sharp
pain went through him and he withdrew his hand. He watched in utter
shock as Misako's body arced off of the bed as a massive spasm gripped
her tiny frame. Within a few seconds, a group of medical staff arrived
in the room and he was tersely ushered out of the room. And as the door
closed between him and his daughter, Mamoru felt a strange loneliness.

                                 ******

Chibi-Usa could feel the heat of the sun as it hung high in a clear blue
sky that spring day. Her feet hit the pavement as she ran. Her blue
shorts and white T-shirt fluttered slightly in the breeze she was
creating as she ran down the road. <Why'd I ever sign up for this baka
race?!> Chibi-Usa thought as she wiped her brow. She had once looked
forward to this race. Her friends had encouraged her since it had been
announced. It was the longest race she had ever attempted. Then later
with Misako sick, it hadn't seemed important.

>From the start, she had been out in front like the rabbit she was,
easily leaving the other girls behind her. Now as she pushed along, she
knew that if she stopped, she'd never start again. <I can do this... I
have to do this... for my imouto.> That would make Misako feel better.
<She wanted me to run and when I tell her I won, then she'll be proud of
me.> That thought was what drove Chibi-Usa on.

Over time as she came closer and closer to the end, her body ached and
her lungs clamored for air. When the finish line came into sight, she
heard the pounding of feet. <Nani?!?> Chibi-Usa questioned, and then
from out of nowhere, another girl pulled up along side of her. <Where'd
she come from?!?> She pushed that thought aside as the girl started to
slowly pass her.

<Iie!> Chibi-Usa thought, <I have to win! For Misako, I HAVE to win!>
With that thought firmly in place, Chibi-Usa began to draw as much
strength from her tired muscles as she could. <Remember, breathe...> She
breathed and ran, pumping her legs. First she was even with the girl
that had appeared from out of the blue, then she passed her competition.
With one wordless cry, Chibi-Usa lunged forward and crossed the finished
line first.

Dropping to her knees, the little girl drew in great gulping breaths of
air. <I did it...> Chibi-Usa thought with exhaustion. <I won, Misako.>

"Chibi-Usa!" Mamoru called as he walked over to her, "Come on and walk
around a little or you'll cramp up." He reached down and helped his
daughter stand. Slowly they walked over to the sidelines, Chibi-Usa
leaning against her father, eyes closed.

"Sugoi Small Lady!" Diana exclaimed softly as Chibi-Usa picked her up
once they had moved away from the crowd. "You did really well."

"You sure did," Mamoru agreed and hugged Chibi-Usa who just rested
against him. "Are you okay?"

"Hai," Chibi-Usa replied after a moment, "I'm just... I can't believe I
won." She sniffled a little before adding, "I just wish Misako was here
to see me win."

"I know," Mamoru said as he led Chibi-Usa over to a bench and placed her
tracksuit on it. "Better put these on before you catch a cold,
Chibi-Usa-chan." As he sat down, Diana hopped onto the bench. Nodding,
Chibi-Usa pulled the track pants over her shorts and did up the jacket
part before moving to sit on Mamoru's knee. "How's that?" he questioned
while hugging her.

"Good, arigato, Daddy," Chibi-Usa replied and snuggled close, "Can we go
see Misako?"

"We need to meet Usagi and the others first, ne?" Reluctantly, Chibi-Usa
nodded. After another moment, Mamoru gently removed Chibi-Usa and stood
her on the ground, "Come on, let's go meet the others and then we can go
see your sister."

"'Kay," Chibi-Usa replied and took Mamoru's hand before scooping Diana
up from the bench. They walked in silence towards the Crown Fruit Parlor
where they were to meet the other Inner Senshi. Chibi-Usa glanced up at
the sky and shook her head before returning her gaze to the street. "I
don't understand. We know the sun is eclipsing but... It's still a nice
sunny day. I thought it would be really dark."

Mamoru was silent for a long time and then explained, "A solar eclipse
shouldn't take this long to occur. I know Ami mentioned something about
a cosmic event that occurs every two hundred years but I don't
understand the significance of that and the eclipse..." he trailed off
into silence and added more softly, "Or why it would be affecting
Misako." <Or me.> "I mean, if this was natural, then Crystal Tokyo
should have records of this occurrence after this period but..." He
glanced down towards Chibi-Usa.

"I can't talk about the future," Chibi-Usa said softly. <I don't know...
I should have paid more attention in history class. Misako would know
but... she isn't here.> She felt a lump form in her throat as her eyes
filled with tears. It was a complete and utter shock then when Mamoru
gave a cry of pain and collapsed. "Ow!" Chibi-Usa cried out as her
father's hand convulsively tightened around hers. "Daddy!" she called
out in fear as she saw the pained expression on Mamoru's face, "What's
wrong?!?"

"Nothing," Mamoru replied through gritted teeth while he brushed off a
strand of spider's web. Both he and Chibi-Usa watched as the silver
thread fell to the ground. "I'm okay."

"Iie... iie! Somethin's wrong," Chibi-Usa countered, her voice climbed
as panic started to take a hold of her. "I don't want you to leave me,
too. You can't get sick. If you get sick and with Misako really sick...
she might not live..." she trailed off. The thought that had haunted her
since her sister's collapse came out into the open for the first time.

"I said it was nothing!" Mamoru snapped in an almost angry voice.
Chibi-Usa took a step back, her bottom lip trembling. As Chibi-Usa began
to cry, guilt stabbed at Mamoru. "Oh Mesume," he called softly and
reaching out caught Chibi-Usa's arm, "Come here... please?" The little
girl hesitated for a moment and then walked closer to hug her father
tightly. "Gomen nasai," he whispered out as he held her close, "I didn't
mean to yell at you."

"Daddy, I'm scared Misako isn't gonna wake up," Chibi-Usa admitted
softly, "What if she doesn't? What am I going to do?"

Mamoru said gently, "You have to believe that she will get better. You
have to believe that things will turn out okay." Pulling away slightly,
he wiped away some of her tears and added, "Now come on, Chibi-Usa-chan,
before we worry your mother." Standing, he held out his hand. Sniffling
a little bit, Chibi-Usa took it and they started walking down the
sidewalk again.

                                 ******

It was the following day when Ikuko made her way towards the bathroom.
When she arrived, she knocked at the door and called out,
"Chibi-Usa-chan, are you okay?" After a few seconds of silence, Ikuko
slowly opened the door and saw Chibi-Usa sitting in the furo. "Ne,
Chibi-Usa-chan, are you okay?" Again, there was no response. The little
girl just sat glumly looking towards the water.

Coming in and closing the door, Ikuko got the large bath towel and
holding it out, walked to the furo. "You've been in there a long time.
You don't want to turn into a prune, ne Chibi-Usa?" Ikuko's smile
faltered when Chibi-Usa only turned to regard her sadly.

Crouching, Ikuko reached out and brushed aside of Chibi-Usa's hair and
said, "Are you mad at me, Chibi-Usa?" Chibi-Usa shook her head. "Then
why the silent treatment?" Chibi-Usa looked away from her grandmother.
"Is this about Misako?" The little girl nodded stiffly while turning an
angry glare on Ikuko. "Honey, you need to try and get some sleep. I know
you hate taking naps but you haven't been getting that much sleep."
<None of us have.> "Usagi took the card Rei and the others got Misako
over. She was going to spend some time with Mamoru too."

<I knew something was wrong,> Chibi-Usa thought, <First Misako collapses
and then Daddy.> "I'm all alone," Chibi-Usa admitted, though it was hard
to do. She looked sadly at Ikuko who held out the towel again. Carefully
she stood in the furo and raised her arms so that her grandmother could
wrap the towel around her. "Do I hafta take a nap, Ikuko-mama?"

"Hai," Ikuko said as she lifted the child from the water. "Do you want
to come have a nap with me?"

"You take naps?" Chibi-Usa asked in disbelief.

"Hai, I'm not as young as I used to be," Ikuko replied, "And I've been
only getting a little sleep. I'm worried about Misako too. So what do
you say to that nap?"

Chibi-Usa gave it some consideration and then said with mischief shining
in her eyes, "Okay, Obaa-san."

"`Obaa'!" Ikuko demanded, "What do you mean `Obaa'?!?"

"Well, you're gettin' old... I mean you're older than Daddy is so you
gotta be REALLY old." Ikuko glared at Chibi-Usa and the little girl
added, "Something the matter, Obaa-san?"

Ikuko let Chibi-Usa go and, pointing at the door, commanded, "Go get
ready for your nap." Her tone was gruff but the underlying mirth and the
twinkle in her eyes belayed her gruffness.

"Hai Obaa-san," Chibi-Usa giggled as she started towards the door.

"You show the proper respect, young lady," Ikuko said with a sterner
tone.

Holding the towel firmly around her, Chibi-Usa turned around and
replied, "Hai, Obaa-san." With another giggle of delight, she ran from
the room. Ikuko took some time to calm herself before she went after
Chibi-Usa. Her revenge would have to be good-natured. It was good to see
Chibi-Usa laughing despite all that was happening around her.

                                 ******

The next day, Rei and Minako entered Mamoru's apartment and were
surprised to see Makoto holding Chibi-Usa. The little girl seemed to be
asleep, her young face lined with worry and sadness. Makoto was standing
beside the closed balcony door, her eyes looking out over the city. The
city that was eerily lit by the eclipse that had finally engulfed the
sun on Sunday. But even more haunting was the dark web, the spider-like
webbing, covered the city completely. And at the center of the dark web
was the main tent of the Dead Moon Circus. She shivered, glad to be
standing with the glass of the balcony door between herself and what was
outside.

"Where's Usagi?" Rei asked as she came into the living room.

"She's with Mamoru in the bedroom. The last time I checked, she had her
head resting against the bed and was asleep," Ami said softly from her
position on the couch. "I'm worried. She wouldn't even eat when I
brought her some food. She just kept holding his hand."

"Has Mamoru gotten any better?" Minako asked as she walked over to sit
beside Ami.

"I'm afraid not; in fact, I believe he is getting worse," Ami replied
matter of factly, "I have determined that whatever is affecting Mamoru
is the same thing that has been affecting Misako."

"I don't like that, Ami-chan," Minako observed, "We know the Dead Moon
Circus is responsible for how Mamoru is feeling. If they can cause this
to both Mamoru and Misako..."

"Isn't there anything we could do, Ami?" Rei questioned, "Could Usagi
use the Ginzuishou?"

"Artemis has advised against that," Ami replied after a long pause, "I
must agree with him. We do not yet fully understand what is happening
and to not risk Usagi's life would require us to have far more specific
knowledge than we already have." Ami saw the look in Rei's eyes and
asked, "Would you go check on Usagi please?" Without a word, Rei
silently slipped from the room and entered into Mamoru's bedroom,
shutting the door behind her.

Minako looked towards Makoto and said, "Poor kid, I'm surprised she
isn't with Usagi."

"It was too much for both of them, Minako-chan," Makoto whispered, "The
strain just was too much. First Misako and now Mamoru." <Usagi and
Chibi-Usa must feel like their world is crumbling around them. Just like
I felt when my parents died.> Walking away from the door, she sat down
and gently positioned Chibi-Usa so she wouldn't awaken the little girl.
<We must believe that there will be a tomorrow.> "Chibi-Usa and Usagi
had a yelling match and it got a little... ugly."

Shortly afterward, Usagi and Rei stepped from the bedroom. Makoto nudged
Chibi-Usa awake and after a moment, the little girl opened her eyes.
There was a tense silence in the room for a moment before Chibi-Usa slid
from Makoto's lap and walked to her mother. Usagi bent and lifted her
daughter up, holding her close while whispering something. After
Chibi-Usa nodded, Usagi shifted the little girl so she could hold her
with one arm.

Sweeping the room with her gaze, she met each of the Senshi's eyes and
remarked, "I think we need to talk."

                                 ******

She was fighting against a black current. Much to her surprise though,
she wasn't scared. It was like a warm soothing blanket. Somehow though,
she fought through it towards the surface and when she broke through,
she immediately regretted her decision.

Misako groaned before grimacing at the terrible taste in her mouth. She
tried to move her arms but they felt like lead. Eventually she gave up
and just lay there. She felt something... It felt like a hand against
her forehead. A soft voice called her name.

"Daddy?" she croaked out. <It... didn't sound like Daddy.>

"Miko-chan." The voice was soft, and filled with relief.

Misako slowly opened her eyes and then blinked as the dim light stung
them. Squinting up, a bleary image came to her slowly. As the seconds
passed, it came more into focus. "Ikuko-mama..." Her grandmother smiled
and gave her forehead a kiss. "Where?" She felt tired, sore. <I feel
like I went through four Senshi practices in a row.>

"You're in the hospital, Misako," Ikuko answered softly, "You scared us
so much." Misako looked up at the worry that was still on her
grandmother's face and she sniffled a little. "Shhh... Don't cry; it'll
be okay."

Misako fought for some control before she said softly, "I want Daddy." A
sense of fear washed over her and she shivered slightly. <I don't want
to go through this again.> If she was awake, did that mean the Sailor
Senshi had succeeded? Before she could even begin any speculation on the
matter, a nurse and doctor came into the room and began to immediately
examine her.

About two hours later, Misako was wishing she were still unconscious.
She had been poked, probed, and tested. Now she was lying in her bed,
eyes closed, listening to the sounds around her. <I hope 'Sagi says
good-bye to Helios for me.> She would have liked to see her sister's
magical friend once again but he would likely be gone by now. That
thought brought another question to mind. <Where is 'Sagi? Where's
Daddy?>

The voice that broke into her thoughts brought a smile to Misako's face.
<Misako...> "Look at this!" Chibi-Usa declared hotly from where the door
was located, "I gotta go to school and she gets to stay in bed." Misako
opened her eyes and gave her sister a soft smile.

"Hi Imouto," Misako said softly. Chibi-Usa came walking over and,
hopping up on the empty chair, leaned across the bed and hugged Misako
gently. "I didn't think they'd let you in," Misako observed as she
wearily hugged her sister.

"If they wouldn't let me, I'd use Luna-P if I had to," Chibi-Usa
declared as she sat on the edge of Misako's bed. "I brought you a
friend." When Misako gave her a quizzical look, Chibi-Usa made a
flicking motion and produced Misako's teddy bear. Misako's eyes enlarged
in surprise. "I didn't think I could get it in there."

"I'm surprised you could get it out," Misako muttered out.

Chibi-Usa gave her sister a mock glare before handing her the teddy
bear. "I missed you during the fight," Chibi-Usa admitted softly, "We
beat the Dead Moon Circus but good. They paid for what they did to you,
Daddy, and... Helios." A tear trickled down Chibi-Usa's cheek; it was
gently brushed away by Misako's hand. "I love you, Misako," Chibi-Usa
whispered out, "I was scared you wouldn't get better."

"I wouldn't want to make my imouto sad," Misako replied softly.

"Chibi-Usa, get off the bed," Mamoru ordered with mild exasperation from
the doorway. He walked in and placed a hand on Chibi-Usa's back and
gently pushed.

"Aw man..." Chibi-Usa whined out but slid from the bed.

"How are you?" Mamoru asked while he bent down and gave Misako a hug.

"Daddy, you're okay?" Misako said softly.

"Of course," Mamoru replied with a small grin. Lowering his voice, he
added, "If I wasn't okay, your mom would use the Ginzuishou to make me
okay and then beat me up." Misako and Chibi-Usa giggled at that
statement.

"Onee-chan," Chibi-Usa began softly, "Are you REALLY okay?" Misako
paused and then nodded. "I won that race," Chibi-Usa said softly, "I
wanted to win it... I thought it might help you get better."

"It worked," Misako admitted while trying to stifled a yawn. There was a
comfortable silence for a long moment and then she asked, "Tell me what
happened, Imouto."

"Don't you know, Onee-chan?" Chibi-Usa asked.

"Hai, but reading history books isn't like being there," Misako
confessed, "'Sides, I wanna know if you kissed Helios?" <They never
talked about that.> The fiery blush that streaked across Chibi-Usa's
face was only matched by the shocked expression of her father.

"Misako..." Chibi-Usa said warningly.

"Usagi..." Mamoru said warningly to Chibi-Usa. Misako for her part just
giggled and hugged her teddy bear. Chibi-Usa was preparing to defend
herself just as her mother came into the room.

                                 ******

Misako's recovery was rapid. Whatever had caused Misako's illness was
still a mystery but the doctors, after three days of observation,
determined that Misako had definitely improved and hospitalization was
no longer necessary. Much to Misako's disappointment, she was kept from
gymnastics for longer than she had expected. Despite her general
recovery, Misako was still weak for about a week afterwards.

Kyoku and a few of Misako's teammates arrived at the Tsukino house one
day after school carrying a large get-well card. It was nearly the size
of Misako herself and the young girl's eyes bulged in astonishment. All
of the gymnastic team and most of her class had signed it for her.

By the last weekend in May, Ikuko decided that Misako was in good enough
shape to supervise another sleepover. Misako tried hard not to show her
anticipation or surprise. Chibi-Usa's sleepovers were certainly
interesting. The surprise came from the fact that Ikuko would even
consider allowing another sleepover despite what had occurred during the
previous one.

As the first heat wave of summer rolled in over Tokyo, Chibi-Usa,
Momoko, and Misako planned their evening activities. And Chibi-Usa's
spirits soared, not only because her friend was staying overnight but
also her sister was there and appeared to be out of danger. At least,
out of danger from anything the Dead Moon Circus would do.

"Are you insane?!?" Misako demanded of her sibling, "Not only would that
get me killed for letting it happen, but also I don't think Ikuko-mama
would like it very much." <Not to mention Mom 'n' Dad would likely have
something to say about it too.>

"I think it's a perfectly good plan, Miko-chan," Momoko commented.

"I should start calling you `Yumeko'," Misako muttered out.

"Who?" Chibi-Usa and Momoko questioned.

"Nobody," Misako said dismissively, "Look, I'm going shopping with Kyoku
tomorrow and I don't intend on getting grounded." Chibi-Usa scowled
slightly and Misako returned the look. "So you can just drop `the plan'
right this minute."

Chibi-Usa sighed and looked towards Momoko. "What do you say,
Momo-chan?" Momoko gave Misako a glare and then regarded Chibi-Usa for
another moment before nodding.

"Well?!?" Misako demanded.

"GET HER!" Chibi-Usa and Momoko shouted together before tackling Misako.

<Baka Misako, I should've seen that coming!> Misako mused as she went
crashing to the floor. <And I was baka enough to think it was going to
be a quiet evening.>

End of Chapter 26

Coming next in Chapter 27 - The Darkness of June