Adventures of the Chibi-Scouts II
By "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl and Doug "Candle Light Author" Helm
Those characters that are original and the story "Adventures of the
Chibi-Scouts II" are copyrighted (c) 2000 by Will Wolfshohl & Douglas
Helm.
This story and our other Sailor Moon stories reside at
http://rivendell.fortunecity.com/traveller/861/
Send comments to: "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl (
wwolfshohl@logicon.com) or
Douglas "Candle Light Author" Helm (
dhelm@log.on.ca)
Part 15 "Something Lost, Something Gained"
"We'll see you tonight, Raye," Lita chirped as they walked
towards the steps of Cherry Hill Temple.
"So ya gonna leave from here?"
"No."
"Why?" Reenie wondered, "This is a really good spot."
"For the same reason I won't do it at our house," Serena
responded, "Our parents would wanna know what we're doing. And tomorrow,
we've got school 'n' stuff."
"But I got Luna Ball," Reenie began.
"Sweetheart," Serena began gently, "I know Luna Ball is
wonderful but it can't fix everything all the time. 'Sides, we'd have no
good reason to be out past our bedtime and over at Raye's on a school
night."
"Where then?" Amy asked.
"The park. It's not far from everybody's place and it'll be
pretty safe." She could see the others looking expectantly at Reenie who
seemed to be mulling it over.
"I dunno..." the pink haired girl said cocking her head to one
side. After a moment, she nodded. "Okay, we'll go to the park later."
When the other children nodded their agreement, she added, "Now let's
go. It's getting late." They said good-bye one final time before walking
down the steps. Raye watched them go before skipping over to where Chad
was waiting for her.
Lita Anderson lazily swung her feet back and forth. She was
lying on Serena's bed while they waited for supper to be finished being
prepared. Serena was sitting on the bed holding Mr. Floppy. "Whatcha
thinking 'bout?" Lita asked.
Serena grinned slightly before saying, "About our Reenie. I'm
really surprised she don't use Luna Ball lots like this one does."
"Well, us showing up is sorta special," Lita pointed out, "And
we're littler."
"Yeah, I know... but I'm scared that one time it won't work." It
had been necessary to use Luna Ball so that Amy and Mina could spend
some time with their friends before they left. As it was, Amy was
staying at Kimmy's for supper, Mina was staying at Carrie's, and Lita
had opted to come home with Serena. "I'm really gonna miss you," she
told her brunette friend.
"I know." The little girl looked away feeling a lump forming in
her throat. "I figured that you'd be cryin' by now."
"No," the blonde countered, "I'm really happy for you, Lita."
She did felt like crying, though.
"You gotta make sure Amy don't get real sad. It's gonna be hard
on her. I know it'll be hard on all of you but Amy'll have it worstest."
She sat up and regarded her princess. "And I hope you 'n' Reenie'll
start gettin' along. You two need each other, no matter whatcha say."
"I know... It's just so hard sometimes."
"Serena, I know you wanna be a big sister but I think you gotta
be what Reenie needs you to be first, 'kay?"
Serena gave her friend a dirty look and grumbled out, "We were
talking 'bout you."
Lita just grinned. <You're my best friend, Serena.> Where would
she have been if not for Serena's friendship? Now she would be there for
her counterpart.
Before either girl could say anything else, the door opened and
Serena's mother announced, "Come on, girls, it's time for supper."
"So, Sis, did you have fun at Kimmy's?" Lita asked her sister as
they sat in the bathtub that evening. Both children were surrounded by
mounds of foamy bath bubbles. Amy blushed a little bit and nodded. "What
did you do?"
"Us... Well... I guess I was feeling sorry for myself, or maybe
I just wanted to see what Kimmy'd do." Lita cocked an eyebrow
quizzically. "Uh, well, I told her I was really fifteen."
Her sister grew wide-eyed. "And she believed you?"
"Nah. She said that if I was fifteen, she wasn't gonna be my
friend no more 'cause I'd be too old then." Lita giggled which set the
blue haired child to giggling as well. "She thought I was pretending, so
I tried to use some really big words."
"And?"
"And I couldn't do it."
"Don't worry, Sis, you'll be back to normal soon."
"Lita," the little girl began, "I'm really, REALLY, sorry 'bout
today 'n' stuff."
"I wouldn't have it no other way, Sis. We both love each other
lots." They sat silently for a moment before she continued, "Ames, I
need you to talk to Raye. Serena's gonna be a... um... bundle of nerves
when she gets back and I want Raye to cut her some slack."
"Oh sure, Sis, you stay here and give me all the hard jobs," Amy
countered sarcastically. Lita stuck her tongue out. Feeling playful, Amy
dunked her sister.
Lita wasn't about to let that pass.
"Come on, Mina, bedtime."
"Aw Daddy..." Mina whined but reached up her arms for her father
who lifted her up.
"You've had a big day today," her father commented, "You went to
Raye's all day and then got to stay over at Carrie's for supper. And you
have school tomorrow."
"Daddy?" the little blonde asked.
"Yeah?"
"Can I have two stories?"
Mr. Aino pursed his lips for a moment and then agreed, "Well,
all right, Mina."
"Yeah!" Mina cheered and hugged her father. After using the
bathroom and then being tucked into bed, the little blonde listened to
the stories that her father read to her.
"Goodnight Princess," Mr. Aino said when he came to the end of
the second story.
"'Night Daddy," Mina replied and gave him a final hug before
snuggling further under the covers. <I'm gonna miss that.> She yawned
and closed her eyes. <Where's Artemis?> She hadn't seen any of the
kittens since their meeting at the temple. <I wonder how Ames is gonna
take leaving?> At least, she had Carrie. She yawned again. <I hope I
don't fall asleep.> But despite her best efforts, Mina found herself
slowly drifting off into slumber.
From about suppertime on, the Lunar Cats spent their time in the
park having fun. Luna let Artemis decide the games and he seemed very
grateful for the chance. All three kittens had fun until it started
growing dark, then they settled down in a secluded spot for a catnap to
wait for the Sailor Scouts to show up.
A small nudge woke Luna. Blearily, she raised her head and
looked around.
"Someone's coming," the gray kitten announced softly.
Luna turned to Artemis, who was curled up beside her, and nudged
him. "Who is it?"
"I think it's Mars," Diana speculated.
"Huh?" Artemis asked as he started to wake up.
"Somebody's coming," Luna responded.
"Mars!" Diana hissed out, "Hey!"
There was some rustling of the bushes and Sailor Mars came
through them looking very relieved. "What are you doing here alone?"
"Chibi-Moon called 'n' said to come to the park." She paused and
tapped her lip. "Then she said she had to go get Venus."
"What's wrong with Venus?" Artemis asked worriedly.
Mars shrugged. "She said she'd call if she needed help."
"I should go over there."
"Now, if Chibi-Moon needs us, she'll call," Luna offered, "Could
be Mina just fell asleep and doesn't hear her communicator."
"I s'ppose..." the white kitten replied.
A short time later, Sailor Moon, Sailor Venus, and Sailor
Chibi-Moon showed up. "I'm sorry," Venus whined as soon as they had
joined the others, "I fell asleep. I didn't even hear my thingie go
off." She looked rather flustered. "I can't believe I pulled a Serena."
She giggled and Mars joined her while Sailor Moon gave them both a dirty
look.
"Now, girls, don't fight," Luna chided, "So all we're missing is
Lita and Amy."
"Yeah," Chibi-Moon squeaked.
It was several minutes more before Sailor Jupiter and Sailor
Mercury showed up. "Sorry we're late, guys," Jupiter apologized.
"What's gonna happen?" the Fire Scout wondered.
"Dunno... Can you handle it, Mercury?" Sailor Moon asked.
Mercury shrugged a little and then said, "There'll be a big
light and then your friends will be back."
"Is that all?" Mars seemed disappointed.
"Well, they'll be mixed up a little," Chibi-Moon interjected
remembering the last time, "And me 'n' you 'n' Jupiter will explain it
to 'em." Mars smiled at this.
"Well, let's get goin'," Venus prompted. "Carrie's waiting to go
to the zoo."
"I guess we should," Sailor Moon agreed. Stepping forward, she
gave Mars a hug and then Jupiter one. "I'll miss you, Lita, but I'm
really happy for you." She blinked her eyes and sniffled.
"I'll miss you too, Serena," Jupiter declared and returned the
hug, "Now don't cry or you'll make me feel bad."
Sailor Moon gave her a weak smile while adding, "You be good."
"Yeah, like I'm gonna go out of my way to get into trouble. I'm
six, 'member?"
"Oh I think you would, Sis," Mercury countered and giggled.
"Mercury..." Jupiter began and then hugged her tightly. "Don't
be sad, Sis."
"I won't," Mercury replied and hugged her sister back. "You're
the bestest sister... I'll miss you too much, so I'm staying."
"WHAT?!?" the others screeched.
"I'm not gonna give up MY sister."
"Mer... Ames, we've been through this," Jupiter countered.
Mercury's eyes filled with tears and she looked sadly at her sister, "I
know what you feel... Please Mercury, for me?"
"'Kay," the Blue Scout agreed while flushing, "Sorry."
Sailor Jupiter just gave her another hug before turning to the
last of her former teen friends. "You gonna give me a hug?" Jupiter
asked Venus.
"I was waitin' my turn," Venus said petulantly, "Like I'd leave
and not hug you." So, she did.
"Now you be good, Big Sister," Sailor Moon warned Chibi-Moon,
"And look after Lita 'n' stuff."
"Don't worry, Little Sister," Chibi-Moon replied. After hugging
the little girl, she looked around the gathered group and tried not to
cry. "Remember your promise." Despite her efforts, tears started to
slide down her cheeks as she felt the burden of the past few days lift
off her shoulders. Not only was Jupiter coming back but also things were
finally starting to look like they would work out.
Artemis was looking very confused. "Where's everybody going?"
"Home," Luna stated simply. This seemed to baffle the white
kitten even more.
"We gotta go," Sailor Moon announced when there was a lull in
activity. <Before anybody else changes their mind.>
"Go to it, Mercury," Jupiter commanded.
"Right," Mercury replied, blinked away some fresh tears, and
activated her VR Visor. "I did the math thingies before. That's why we
were tardy." She called up some data on her minicomputer and directed
the six year olds and Luna to their positions. She made sure Jupiter was
several yards back as not to be caught in the wake. "Venus, do you got
the Key?"
"Yes," Venus said, "I still say it ain't fair."
"Maybe Mercury can work on a different way," Moon remarked
soothingly.
"I hope so," Venus grumbled but raised the Time Key. "At least
if something goes wrong, Pluto can give Chibi-Moon another key." Sailor
Moon glared at her blonde friend.
"You said there wasn't anything that could go wrong!" Chibi-Moon
protested.
"It's slim, nothing's perfect," Mercury chimed in, "Venus just
means we could get moved through time 'stead of into our universe."
"Oh..." Chibi-Moon said but she didn't fool Mars; neither really
understood what Mercury had said.
"Jupiter, start powering up."
"Right!" She braced herself for the coming backlash.
"Be ready for anything!" Mercury called out. It wasn't very
reassuring. "Five... four..."
"What do you mean?" Chibi-Moon was starting to think this was a
very bad idea.
"Three... two..."
"Wait!" Chibi-Moon and Mars called out together.
"One... NOW!"
"JUPITER THUNDERCRASH ZAP!" There was a tremendous rumble as
Sailor Jupiter released her power and suddenly all three Sailor Scouts,
along with Luna, were engulfed by a pink sphere of energy. <Good-bye...>
Jupiter thought, a single tear rolling down her cheek.
Sailor Moon blinked her eyes and for the briefest of moments,
thought she had gone blind. "Hey, it's really dark. Where the heck are
we?"
"Alley... It's stinky," Venus replied while holding her nose.
"Gah!" Sailor Moon agreed, "It's smelly." Turning to Mercury,
she asked, "Did it work?"
"I guess so..."
"I don't like the sound of that," Luna observed.
"We're big again! I think that means it worked," Mercury
clarified. She felt heavy and a bit awkward.
"Oh yeah!" the other two Sailor Scouts replied as they looked
down to see their fifteen year old bodies. They too felt strangely
heavy. Sailor Moon observed she was dressed in her normal colors. Gone
was the pink motif. The Silver Imperium Crystal sat once again within
the transformation broach on her chest.
"We're naughty," Mercury giggled, "It's REALLY late... Past our
bedtimes." She giggled then and the others gave her strange looks. Her
minicomputer quickly synchronized with the Japan Bureau of Standards
broadcast time signals for an exact reading.
"How late are we?" Venus asked.
"It's Sunday night, 'bout 8:32 PM."
"OH MAN!" Sailor Moon declared, "My parents are gonna plaster me
for not calling 'em. I'll be spa..." <No, I'm fifteen now!> "Grounded
for a month!"
"Carrie's going to be majorly POed with me for missing our zoo
date." She hoped the little girl would still be her friend.
"Aren't you worried about your parents?"
"Nah," Venus simply said.
"My mommy... mom will be worried sick too." Or was that the
mother she had left in the other universe? It was hard to decide.
"We should go and tell Raye we're back," Luna suggested.
"No, I can make it home by curfew," Sailor Moon declared, "And I
really should let Reenie know we're okay."
"Yes, Diana will be worried, and so will Artemis too," Mercury
added.
"Hey, you want to come home with me, Mercury?" Venus offered, "I
thought your mommy was gone for the weekend?"
"No... That's okay," Mercury declined, "I should go home. Mommy
is due back tonight." <I hope she didn't call while I was gone.> A shot
of guilt ran through her.
Sailor Moon thought for a moment then said, "We'll meet at the
temple tomorrow after school."
"'Kay!" Venus replied and then bounded off into the night.
"You sure you're going to be all right, Mercury?"
"I will be, Sailor Moon," Mercury answered, "Now go home to your
daughter."
"I'll walk Mercury home," Luna offered.
"Okay." Sailor Moon hugged her friend and then started off
towards home, wondering all the time how she was going to explain her
two day absence to her parents.
Serena peeked around her front door and called out softly, "I'm
home..." Seeing no parent in sight, she slipped quietly into the house
and tried to close the door.
"Is that you, Serena?"
<Oh no! I'm in soooo much trouble!> Serena wailed to herself at
the sound of her mother's voice then froze in place.
"Did you have a nice time at the Hot Springs, dear?" an older
appearing Ellen Tsukino asked as she came into the entrance hall from
the living room.
<Hot Springs?> "I'm sorry I'm late, Mommy... Mom."
Ellen glanced at a nearby clock and smiled. "You squeaked in
just ahead of your curfew... but I wouldn't have scolded you this time."
She then frowned slightly and then inquired, "Did you leave your stuff
at Amy's?"
"I wanted to get home before my curfew." Serena said. <I hope
Ames is okay...> Serena was desperately trying to think of a way to get
her mother off a subject she could easily get trapped on.
It was Reenie who saved her. The little girl came racing down
the stairs at a breakneck speed. <She must've been in bed,> Serena's
mind decided as a pink blur shot across the floor and clamped onto one
of her legs.
Reenie was in her pajamas, her long pink hair loose from being
let down for the night. "Serena! You're back!"
"Reenie!" Ellen snapped sharply, "You're supposed to be in bed!"
The child had sulked the entire weekend; that is, when she wasn't
throwing tantrums. Both Ken and Ellen put it up to her not being allowed
to go with Serena and her friends to the Hot Springs. It wouldn't have
been appropriate. It was a teen trip and Serena deserved some time with
friends her own age.
"Sure am, and I missed you, Big... I mean Reenie," Serena
exclaimed while leaning down and lifting her daughter into a hug. She
felt warm and guilty at the same time as the little girl hugged her
about the neck and snuggled against her.
"You were put to bed early, young lady, and if you don't get up
there this instant, you'll be in bed early tomorrow too!"
"I'll take her up to bed, okay Mom?"
Ellen scowled for a moment and then gave her daughter a small
smile. "Thanks. Well, you can pick your stuff up from Amy's tomorrow
after school. It's too late now."
Serena nodded and headed for the stairs. As she mounted them,
she spotted Sammy at the end of the hall looking perplexed. <I wonder
what that weasel's up to?> Serena thought, <Well, I'll worry about that
later.>
It wasn't until she had reached the second floor that Serena
realized that Reenie was crying. "Oh sweetheart," Serena said softly and
felt a lump form in her own throat. Tears stung her eyes and she felt
even more miserable for having treated the child so badly. "Shhh..."
There'd be no way of explaining this to her mother so she hurried into
her room and closed the door.
Walking over to the edge of the bed, she sat down, hugged her
daughter, and rubbed her back. "Reenie," she called out, "Reenie, talk
to me. Please."
"I-I'M SORRY!" Reenie bawled.
"For what?"
"Don't go."
<Go?> the blonde wondered. "Reenie, I'm not goin' nowhere. I'm
gonna stay right here with you. I promise." Reenie sniffled and raised
her head to look at her mother.
"Really?"
"Absolutely. I wouldn't wanna give up the bestest daughter in
the whole wide world, now would I?" Reenie's hug, which was already
vice-like, seemed to grow even tighter. Taking a clean Kleenex, she
suggested, "Blow your nose." The child did and sniffled a little.
"Sorry, I was away so long."
"What took you so long?" The pink haired girl tried to make it
sound like her typical demanding voice but it came out in a plaintive
whine instead.
"I'm not really sure, honey," the teen replied. <I won't tell
her about Lita yet.> The little girl needed her more. Wiping Reenie's
eyes, Serena smiled and gave her a kiss. "Come on, let's get you into
bed or Mom'll have a fit. You've got school tomorrow."
"'Kay," Reenie agreed. She didn't head for her room. Instead,
the eight year old slid off of Serena's lap and crawled under the covers
of Serena's bed.
Serena blinked in surprise but didn't comment. Instead, she
walked over and turned off the light before undressing and changing into
her pajamas. <Boy, I'm tired too.> Maybe the effects of being little
were still around. Sliding under the covers, she was surprised and happy
when Reenie snuggled closer.
"Love you," Serena remarked. Reenie mumbled something that
sounded similar but the blonde didn't push her luck. She hadn't been
expecting that type of reception.
Luna looked with concern at Amy. The blue haired girl wiped at
her eyes and pushed herself away from the wall of a building. "See,
Luna, I'm better now."
"Amy, you aren't okay. I wish you'd come home with me. Or, at
least, go to Mina's or Raye's."
"I need to see my mommy. She'll be worried."
"But..."
"I was just scared before," Amy admitted but she knew it was a
lie. <Oh Sis, I should have stayed!> She hated herself now for her
decision. <We can't ever get back.> She had known deep inside herself
that once they left, it would be for good. <Serena, why did you let her
stay?!> She knew why and understood it but that didn't lessen the hurt.
Starting to walk again, she kept thinking about her sister. <I
wonder if she's asleep yet?> "You should go and see Diana and Artemis.
They'll be worried about you."
"Amy, I really..."
"I'M FINE!" Amy shouted, "NOW GET LOST!" Turning, she ran down
the street and around a corner. <Why can't they just let me alone?!>
Lita had understood her to some extent. The others tried but she was
alone now... again.
"Amy!" Luna called after her but Amy kept running.
"Mama!" Diana cried when Luna came up the stairs of Reenie's
bedroom.
"Diana! Artemis!" the black cat responded and rushed to greet
her family. "I'm so happy to see you. And I'm sorry if I worried you."
"Where were you, Mama? Papa said that it wouldn't take long."
"Did something happen, Luna? Is everyone all right?" Artemis
chimed in.
For the briefest of moments, Luna froze as a picture of the
distraught Amy ran through her mind. "There's been a few changes."
"I know," Diana exclaimed, "Reenie ran to Her Majesty... I've
NEVER seen Small Lady do that except in the future."
Luna smiled down at the kitten before looking over at Artemis.
"Would you mind if I slept a little? I'm suddenly very tired. We do need
to talk about a few things though."
"I should go and see Mina."
"Check on Amy too," Luna recommended, "She was quite upset."
"Why?"
"Later, kitten, later," Luna said and hopped up onto Reenie's
bed. Diana quickly followed suit and soon both mother and daughter were
asleep.
Mina lay staring up at her bedroom ceiling through the gloom.
Her eyes felt dry and itchy from crying. <Lita...> Lita was gone. The
full realization that Lita would never be back, that they would never
see the brunette again, hadn't occurred to her until she had been
dressing for bed.
Her parents hadn't acted surprised at her coming in so late. Had
simply asked her how the Hot Springs had been. Artemis wasn't at home so
she had started changing for bed and suddenly found herself on the
receiving end of a horrible thought. Lita was never coming back. Amy
might be able to find another power source to return someday but the
uniqueness of the power that transported them came from Sailor Jupiter.
<Oh Amy...> She wondered how badly Amy was feeling. To her, it
was like a cold heavy lump sitting in the pit of her stomach. Rolling to
her side, Mina hugged one of her stuffed animals and wondered how she
could ever have been so airheaded as to simply brush off what Lita was
doing.
Hearing a gentle tap at the door, Mina sat up and called out
meekly, "Come in." When the door opened, her father came in, looking a
little grayer, and regarded her.
"You okay, Pumpkin?"
"Oh Daddy..." Mina squealed and springing up, ran across the
room and hugged him tightly.
"What's the matter?" he asked in concern as he hugged her back.
Mina opened her mouth to tell him all her troubles and realized
that she couldn't. After a few moments, she stated, shyly, "I guess I'm
feeling sorry for myself."
"What did you blow up this time?"
"DADDY!" the blonde squawked with indignation and poked him in
the ribs. She glowered at him when he chuckled. "I guess I was an
expensive kid to take care of with me blowing things up, huh?"
"No, you were hyper. Maybe more so than other kids but you were
never mean spirited." Her father smiled down at her. "You just had a
free spirit."
"Yeah but you and Mom aren't nearly as strict as Serena's
parents... not that I'm complaining."
Mr. Aino shrugged. "That's them. Don't think you got away with
everything. There was a time or two I could tell you about. Although I
think you spent more time looking at corners than Serena ever did." He
chuckled again as she stuck her tongue out. "Feeling better?"
"A little," Mina admitted, "Thanks..." Her father gave her
another quick hug and turned to go. "Dad?"
"Yes?"
"Did you ever wish I was more well behaved when I was little?"
"You wouldn't've been my little princess then, now would you?"
Mina's only answer was to blush brightly.
"I can do this, Ames," Serena remarked as they stood outside
Lita's apartment door.
"No," Amy said sharply, "She was..." <Damn it!> "IS... my
sister... my friend."
"Then let's go in," Serena urged. <She ain't making this easy.>
"We have to go to the Scout meeting." She had a feeling that if she
weren't prompt, Reenie would start hunting for her. The little girl had
almost followed Serena to school.
"All right," Amy relented with a sigh and unlocked the apartment
door with Lita's spare key. Lita had told her sister about her diary.
She was concerned that non-Scouts might find and look through it after
her "disappearance". So, they had to retrieve it.
"Luna nearly blew a gasket when she heard about it." Serena
didn't know why considering Lita lived alone.
"Serena, you listen at the door, in case anybody comes to
investigate. I'll go procure the diary." The blonde nodded and waited by
the door; she could tell Amy wanted to be alone. In the meantime, the
blue haired teen moved through the empty apartment and into Lita's
bedroom. <Why did she have to come with me?> Amy had wanted to do this
alone. Sighing, she closed the bedroom door and walked over to the bed.
Reaching underneath it, she got the diary out of its hiding place and
was surprised to find it unlocked.
What really caught her eye though was a picture. <Looks like
Lita was using it as a bookmark.> Carefully keeping the page, Amy drew
the picture out and gasped.
The diary clattered to the floor as she stared at the
photograph. She found herself as well as Lita and her mother staring
back at her. Something cold ran down her spine and she felt hot salty
tears starting to run down her cheeks.
Overwhelming loss flooded her heart and it ached. "Lita..." She
spoke the name and images, memories rushed forward to swamp her, sapping
her will. Giving a strangled sob, Amy collapsed onto the bed and gave
vent to the tears she had so desperately sought to hold back.
End of Part 15
Coming next in Part 16 "Balancing Out"