Life At 902 Chapter 4 An Old and Young Flame, a sailor moon fanfic

Life At 902

By Douglas Helm and "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl

This story and our other Sailor Moon stories reside at our Shoujo Fiction .com domain. Comment are welcomed and encouraged.

Chapter 4 - An Old and Young Flame

One day I came home from school feeling very sorry for myself. To put it simply, the day had been miserable. It all started that morning with Shingo tormenting me. He had loitered in the bathroom until I was near bursting, and then strolled out pretending he hadn't heard me.

Why he picks on me, I don't know. I never did anything to him. I can't remember him from my early childhood so long ago, but I'm sure he was never like this then.

The next indignation was being scolded by Ikuko for "dawdling". In retrospect, I suppose I deserved it because I had been dragging my feet. School was okay, except for my teacher making me stand outside in the hallway after I started daydreaming. The lesson was so boring who could blame me. What I was "daydreaming" about was first, how I was going to get my parents back together so I would exist and second, who was holding the Ginzuishou for Mother.

'Baka Usagi,' I chided myself, 'I should've known that Ami didn't have it.' If I could think of her to safeguard it, it would certainly be easy enough for the Black Moon Family to think of her as well. No, Mother was too clever to give it to the obvious person, I decided. 'But who has it?'

On the way home, I discovered that I had lost the picture I had drawn... It was meant as a peace offering to Usagi who had been short with me for the past couple of days. 'Maybe I should go back and look for it?'

Then it started to rain.

"Chibi-Usa-chan?" I gave a start and realized that I was standing in the entrance hall with the door wide open and the cold air rushing in. Usagi looked worried. "You okay, sweetheart?"

'Iie, I am not okay!' I wanted to tell her, 'My mother's in crystal, I'm soaked, you don't like me, you and Papa aren't speaking to each other, and the enemy is after me!' My mind didn't know how to react to what she said. My body did. I began to cry. I felt my bottom lip tremble and for a moment, I was able to keep the tears from spilling over my cheeks but then I gave up. I felt very tired all of a sudden.

Usagi strolled forward and hugged me. I wanted to protest that she'd get wet but it felt good. Mama hugged me and I hugged her back. Just a mother and her little girl. After a moment, I felt her one arm leave me and then, I heard the door swing shut.

"Come on, let's get you out of those wet clothes." Usagi suggested this while pulling off one of my shoes. I sniffled and nodded my head.

'I know this,' I thought but couldn't seem to bring myself to do anything. She took off my other shoe and then scooped me up. As she carried me up the stairs, I settled my head onto her shoulder and closed my eyes.

When we got to my room, Usagi got out some dry clothes -- a pair of pink track pants and a blue sweater. While my socks weren't as wet as my school uniform, they were replaced as well. Now even as a seven year old, I'm quite capable of dressing myself although I occasionally had problems.

Now though, Usagi dressed me and I didn't mind. It felt nice to be cared for. After I was changed, she lifted me onto her lap and I snuggled against her.

"Why are you sad, Chibi-Usa-chan?" she asked finally. I shrugged feeling happy that Mama was simply holding me. I knew that my mission to the past was of the utmost importance but at that moment, I couldn't care less. As she started stroking my hair, I closed my eyes and slipped into a doze that lasted for some time.

I spent a very enjoyable evening. After supper, Mama and I went to the park. I ran around until I was exhausted. Even Mama ran around some. In this body, I'm just full of energy.

Having worked out most of my energy and stress, we started for home, taking our time and peering into various shops as we went. As we walked down the street holding hands, I glanced up and saw a contented smile on Usagi's face. That gave me a warm feeling and I pressed closer to her.

Usagi stopped. I felt puzzled and hoped I was giving her a puzzled kid look. "Ne, Chibi-Usa-chan," she said crouching down, "You feeling better?"

"Hai," I chirped and gave her my best smile. Smiling, she tapped me on the nose, which caused me to sneeze. Chuckling at my glare, she stood up and we headed for home.

That night, I "let" Usagi read me a story. As I listened with my eyes closed, I could picture that it's Mother sitting beside me. That the war was simply a horrible nightmare. That I really was a little girl with my whole life ahead of me. Sleep had almost overcome me by the time she finished the story.

I slowly open my eyes and give her a soft smile. She bent down and gave me a kiss on the forehead. "Arigato," I say softly. 'Mama.'

"I wish I knew where you came from, Chibi-Usa-chan." I opened my mouth to say something but it turned into a yawn. "Time to sleep."

'Hai,' I agreed, 'That's best.'

- - - - -

The next day, a Saturday, found me in better spirits. Perhaps, it had been Usagi acting very much like my mother. Perhaps, it was the fact that I had decided to relax.

Coming up from my chore of helping Grandmother with the lunch dishes, I padded down the hall in socked feet. Usagi was planning on going over to the Hikawa Shrine that afternoon to help Rei. I wanted to go too.

Tapping on Mother's door produced no response. "Onee-chan?" 'I thought Mama was up here. Did she already leave?' I hadn't heard her go out. After giving it a little more thought, this kid did the natural kid thing and pushed the door open. I saw my teenage future mother bent over her desk.

'Oh, Mama's studying!' I padded over to her. I could see Luna sitting on the desk with a strange look on her face. It looked resigned. 'I know she isn't very good at homework but why's Luna looking like that?' Then I heard it -- Usagi was snoring.

Sighing, I was about to leave when a very kid-like thing popped into my head. Now before I tell you what it was, maybe I should tell you that I saw Usagi more as a big kid than as a teen. Sometimes she was far more of a child than I ever was.

- - - - -

Diana gave me a sour look. "Okay, okay," I grumbled at her, "You know I don't think like that now." 'Much.' The Lunar kitten just kept glaring at me.

- - - - -

My idea was simple. I was feeling full of energy. My best subject was P.E., which was something for me. I just love it especially the running and the athletics, the simple act of playing. I could forget about all my problems. Anyway, I was determined to have some fun. I hoped Usagi would join me like the previous day or at least come and watch before we continued to the shrine.

Sneaking up to the dozing Usagi, I reached forward and started tickling her, something I remembered doing when I really was this age.

Usagi gave a screech of surprise and sprang upwards. She whirled on me and shouted, "What did you do that for, spore?!?"

My good mood rushed away from me. I said in a sad voice, "I just was havin' fun." I allowed myself to pout a little.

"A little fun, ne? You call scaring me half to death fun?" the teen raged, "I'll show you..." Usagi started towards me.

'Mama's lost her mind,' I worried. "Don't be mad at me, Usagi-oneechan." The blonde froze.

"Nani?"

"Usagi-oneechan, please don't be mad." I tired to remember the sad puppy-dog expression my children gave me. "Please? I just wanna wake ya up 'cause you were going over to the shrine."

A look of typical Usagi panic spread across Mother's face. "Oh my gosh! I forgot I'm s'ppose to be meeting the others to help Rei!" She glanced at the clock and then gave me a smile that brought my good mood back. "Gomen, pumpkin. Arigato. Won't Rei be surprised when I show up on time." With that, she rushed from the room.

- - - - -

Fortunately, Usagi waited for me. Correction, Grandfather made her wait for me. He didn't want me underfoot. Usagi grumbled enough to give the expected complaint and then set out with me in tow. I took Usagi's hand almost automatically. It was such a nice day though. The weather was not as warm as it had been. Still, the sunny day and the smells of spring served to cheer me up. Usagi seemed lost in her own thoughts, likely of Father. The thought of Father sent a jolt through me. If I didn't distract myself, I'd likely start to bawl.

Trying to break the silence, I declared, "Usagi-chan, I wanna go to the park."

Usagi stopped and regarded me. "Chibi-Usa-chan, I promised Rei that I'd help her." She fidgeted for a moment and then continued, "What if we go to Rei's now, and on the way home, we can go to the park?"

"Please?" I asked. I have a feeling of being pent up. If I don't have a good run or something, I just know I'll get into mischief. I could understand about my own children and grandchildren's fidgetiness at this age.

"Well, I don't know..." Usagi glanced at her watch. "Hai, we have a little time I suppose." She then gave me a look that I remember Mother giving me. "But when I say we're leaving, we'll LEAVE."

"Gotcha!" I agreed and sped down the street.

"Wait for me!" she called out after me.

My romp in the park lasted longer than I expected. Usagi had got talking to someone I didn't know. Of course, she acted all mysterious and stuff when I questioned her later and wouldn't tell me. I later learned that it had been another girl named Osaka Naru. It seems funny that Mother has a friend that isn't a Senshi. We got to the Hikawa Shrine and as usual, found the other girls were already there waiting.

"You're late!" Rei accused. I think those will be her final words before she dies. 'I wonder if her mama said that to her when she was born?' Of course, this set me to giggling. Usagi, naturally, took it the wrong way and thought I was laughing at her.

"Jeez, Rei. She wanted to go to the park!" Usagi complained.

"Odango Atama, don't blame your laziness on Chibi-Usa. She's just a little kid." I made an indignant noise at that but the Senshi of Fire ignored me. "Look, just go and change," she directed us. So that Mother wouldn't get into a fight, I put my hands on her rump and pushed her forward.

"Come on," I suggested which got a chuckle out of the other girls. Usagi was not taking this treatment well.

- - - - -

Much to my chagrin, Aino Minako declared that I looked "super kawaii". Personally, I think the blonde needs her eyes examined. The red and white Shinto priestess robes did not complement either my pink hair or my petite figure. Mama looked beautiful in hers though.

As we worked, Rei complained about her grandfather, the old Shinto priest I had impersonated when I first arrived. I didn't know what all the fuss was about. He seemed kind enough to me. I observed that Mars never has a nice thing to say about anyone... except herself. Ami, of course, is in charge of the money and her fingers glided over the abacus she's using.

'Baka,' I thought childishly after I was told that maybe when I "grow up", I can help look after the money. If she only knew... Anyway, Usagi told me not to sulk. 'I'm not sulking,' I pouted silently, 'I'm just bored.' Minako, harebrained as always (yes, she does get better by my time), is more interested in flirting with boys than actually working. Makoto, to my surprise, seems to be right up there with her although not to such an extreme.

Even when he isn't talking to her, Usagi only has eyes for Mamoru. Before I can say anything about how boring this is, Rei exploded into another tirade about her grandfather.

"What's he doing, Rei-chan?" Usagi questioned finally, "What's this 'new business' of his?"

"Come on. You have to see this for yourself, Usagi." Not being told to stay put, I tagged along. One of the shrine buildings had been converted over to what looked like a wrestling ring. A sign outside read "Protect Este". Inside, Grandpa Hino and his young acolyte Yuuichiro were in tights doing something reminiscent of the mating dance of some alien creature.

'Weird,' I thought to myself before curiosity forced me to ask, "Nani? What is it?" At that instant, Grandpa Hino strolled out with a huge grin on his face.

"This is a fine establishment to teach young women how to protect themselves." I stared at him in bewilderment. Usagi did the same.

"It's not right, Ojii-san," Rei argued.

"I'm trying to provide value to the community," the old man retorts.

"All you want to do is play around with girls!"

"Is that so bad, Rei?" he countered.

I blinked as the realization hit me, i.e. Mars' grandfather was a perverted old man.

"Hai!" she exploded and then said in a haughty voice, "I don't care what happens to you." With that, she stormed away.

"Don't let her worry you... Ne," the old priest asked eyeing Mother, "Do you want to join?"

"He-he aaaahhh..." she stuttered and chased after her brunette friend. I'm about to comment when Usagi suddenly came back, grabbed me around the waist, put a hand over my mouth, and hissed out, "Come on, Chibi-Usa-chan."

"Nrfmble!" I tried to protest but it was no good.

- - - - -

I had a plan. While Mama and the girls continued to help Rei, I'd offer her grandfather my help. He wasn't too interested at first but I just kept following him around. Eventually he relented and set me to sweeping. Let me tell you that using a broom bigger than you are is hard work. By the time I was done, I had had a good workout.

Plopping down on the ground, I watched Yuuichiro hang some banners on the wall while Rei pretended not to care. It was obvious to me that Rei and Yuuichiro were attracted to each other. I understand his attraction to Rei but the opposite? Well, he does have a likable roguish quality I suppose. Certainly, he wasn't the type of man I normally found attractive, but what amazed me was that Rei wouldn't acknowledge her feelings for him. I chalked it up to her still being just a schoolgirl in this time. She still had a way to go to become the Rei I knew back home.

As the young man finished his work, I read the banner he had hung. It declared "Strength is beauty, beauty is youth." If that were true, I'd be the strongest one around.

"We have lots of work to do!" Grandpa Hino declared. My heart leapt into my throat as I tumbled from my seat. He grinned down at me while I countered with a glare.

Just then, Usagi came in and stared at me for a moment wondering why I was sitting on the ground. "Come on, Chibi-Usa-chan, it's time to go."

"Iie..." I whined, "I was helping Hino-ojiisan."

"We're all done for today. We'll come back tomorrow."

"But I wanna stay and help," I argued. "Please Onee-chan?" I hadn't had a chance for a search yet. The teen gave me a puzzled look. "Pretty please?!" I turned on the sugar and gave her my best little kid begging impression.

Usagi suddenly turned serious and offered, "Ne, Chibi-Usa, I'll make you a deal."

"Honto?"

"I have something to do for an hour or so. You can stay here IF you'll promise me that you'll be here when I get back." She stooped down and stared directly into my eyes. "Because unlike Mom, I'm not gonna put up with you taking off. Understand?"

"Hai!" I quickly agreed. 'Usagi is definitely my mother!' I mused. There wasn't anybody else who could match that look.

"Well... that's a good idea," Rei remarked.

"Nani?" the old man chimed in. I hadn't expected Rei to agree either.

"Sohu can babysit you," Rei remarked. This struck me as funny and I giggled.

After a short argument, the priest conceded. Rei remarked gruffly that I better not get underfoot or she'd feed me to the Great Fire. Usagi retorted that it'd probably get indigestion.

'Oh! You're both going to get it!'

Not wanting to take anymore of this abuse, I wandered off. My plan to stay had succeeded. The sunshine was nice with only a few fluffy clouds marring the sky.

The next little while found me busy. Helping the old guy out made me feel better about the sleeping potion incident even if he didn't remember it. Once everything's set up, we waited but nothing happened. Time passed and Usagi was due back soon. I was ready to feign having to get ready to return home so I could search Rei's room.

He sighed. "No one is coming, Chibi-Usa-chan."

"Maybe if we make a sign."

"I sent Yuuichiro out but he isn't back yet."

"I'm a good artist, Ojii-san. You go stand down by the street and see if they're coming. I'll make us a sign. It won't take long." He conceded with a sigh before walking towards a side entrance.

The sign ended up taking longer to make than I thought, mostly because I needed to think like a kid. I tried to remember how my children and grandchildren drew signs and other pictures. How a child of seven would word such a sign. I had to be careful to use only hiragana and plenty of colors. Once finished, I looked around to ask Rei her opinion and found her deep in meditation.

'Sugoi! Now's my chance,' I decided and ran back to Rei's room. I quickly changed out of my priestess robes and began my search of Rei's room. I barely got started before she came in, shooed me out, and asked me to go find her grandfather. 'Kami-sama, did she see me?' I worried, 'I think she bought that I was looking for a marker. I'll just have to wait. But there's so many places that she could have hid it.' Picking up my sign, I walked to where I suggested Rei's grandfather wait and pondered my options.

He was there. The old man appeared dejected as I came up to stand in front of him. He didn't seem to notice me at first.

"Well?"

"Ojii-san, one Chibi-Usa super special design." I bowed to him before holding out the sign. He smiled. "No Customers?"

"Iie, I've been trying to attract them though."

"This sign will help."

"I hope so. I want to see beautiful girls get strong."

"If I join, will it make me strong?" He nodded and started babbling about how it will make me very strong. At that moment, a fleeting image of me spanking Usagi popped into my head. "I'll join," I volunteered. 'Jeez, I must really feel sorry for the old guy. And even if Usagi is a big kid, I wouldn't ever...'

He sighed. "Well, Chibi-Usa-chan, I'd prefer some older girls but I guess I can't be picky."

"Hey!" I squawked. 'Picky? He wouldn't think so if he saw me my true age.' A rumbling sound approached. At first, I thought it was an earthquake but then, I noticed the old man's eyes grow round and look expectantly. I turned around and saw Yuuichiro leading a pack of young women towards the shrine.

'Rei might actually be right about this.' Sighing, I climbed back up to the shrine to see where else I could look.

- - - - -

Usagi was very proud of me when she got back and promised me a special treat tomorrow. You wouldn't think that would get me so worked up but it did. I kept pestering her to tell me what she was going to get me but she wouldn't tell. Eventually, Ikuko stepped in and told me to stop pestering Usagi. 'Mama's quite capable of getting me not to pester her. All she has to do is ask!' I thought. Of course, Usagi wouldn't.

Somehow, I waited, though it was sheer torture. For one thing, Mother rarely gave me "treats". The anticipation was driving me crazy. Upon waking, I leapt from bed not bothering to change from my pajamas since it was Sunday. I spent as little time in the bathroom as I possible could before rushing into Usagi's room, ready to demand she explain what we would be doing.

Much to my surprise, she wasn't there. This really puzzled me so I turned and padded down the hallway in my bare feet and downstairs I went. I could hear someone in the kitchen clanking about. Quickening my pace, I found Usagi in the kitchen.

My mouth swung open and I stood there gaping at the teenager. I didn't even think Mother could boil water! She certainly does not cook. So, imagine my surprise when I found her in the kitchen and making something. Immediately, my mind turned the "treat" into "torture".

"Ohayo Chibi-Usa-chan," Usagi said cheerfully when she noticed me. Then she frowned a little. "Go put your slippers on or Mom will scold you." I just stood there trying to figure out what she was doing. "Come on, Chibi-Usa, your feet will get cold."

"What are you doing, Usagi-chan?" I squeaked out.

"That's a surprise. Now go get your slippers." Turning me around, I felt her give me a gentle swat on the rump to get me moving. Still trying to figure out what Usagi could be making, I went and got my slippers.

- - - - -

"We're they Her Majesty's pancakes?" Diana asked.

"Hai!" I replied licking my lips, "I thought they were going to be disgusting and was trying to find a way to get out of eating them."

"Baka."

"That's what I thought when I tasted them. They were sugoi!" My tummy rumbled. "Well, I'm hungry and I've been in here long enough." Climbing out of the furo, I grabbed a towel and started drying myself off. "Anyway, after breakfast, Momoko called and invited me over so I went. Usagi said she'd come and get me before going over to Rei's that afternoon."

- - - - -

As usual, Usagi was late picking me up but I didn't mind. Momoko and I had had fun playing together. It was nice having someone who didn't know who I was. Who would tell me exactly what she thought without worrying about offending the "Crown Princess".

We were so engrossed in playing that at first, I didn't realize that Usagi was there. For a moment, I didn't want to leave but I figured that if anything, Momoko's parents wanted me out from underfoot.

Usagi was acting as if I was going to rip her head off for being late so I tried to reassure her that things were okay. I had fun with Momoko and wasn't upset with her. Anyway, we got to the shrine just in time to see a worried look on Rei. "Where's everybody, Rei-chan?"

"They left," the priestess answered distractedly, "Sohu's school bothers me, Usagi. I sense something." I perked up at this. Rei was always intuitive.

Running over to the building, we heard crashing inside. I slid the door open just a little as Usagi told me not to look. The chaotic scene sent shivers up my spine as one woman was slammed to the mat by another one. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted someone that I recognized -- Cooan!

Backing away in fear, I turned and took off. 'Kami-sama, I have to find some place to transform!' Then I worried, 'Can I transform?' I had to try. Mama and Rei didn't stand a chance against Cooan alone. Where was Sailor Moon? I wished that I could contact her.

I stopped and looked around. I was in a secluded spot on the shrine grounds. The bushes were high enough that I should be concealed from sight. I made my flicking motion to gain access to my subspace pocket. When my hand came back empty, I frowned and tried it again. Again, nothing happened, no brooch. Concentrating, I strained to reach inside my subspace pocket.

"Nothing?!" I questioned to my empty hand. But if I can't transform... 'Iie, I have to try...' "MOON PRISM POWER!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. Again, nothing happened. "MOON PRISM POWER!!!" I shouted again. I could feel my throat tighten as my eyes filled with tears.

I'd been deceiving myself. I can't transform. I don't know where the Ginzuishou is and worst of all, I'm in a little girl's body. The fear I felt at the sight of Cooan wasn't out of an adult's fear of something dangerous but my child's body reacting to panic. I ran away and hid leaving my mother and one of her best friends to face Cooan. And there's nothing I can do!

- - - - -

I could hear the battle off in the distance but I didn't move. Eventually everything became quiet. A few moments later, I heard Usagi calling me. 'Thank Kami-sama, she's all right!' With a tear-streaked face and an urgent need to be hugged, I came out of my hiding place and ran to her.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Chibi-Usa-chan," Usagi said while giving me a hug. Sniffing like the child I was, I hugged her back. "I have to talk to Rei. Can you wait here?" I nodded, not really wanting her to leave. She smiled and patted me on the head.

I sat there gloomily on the wooden veranda, my legs dangling over the edge. I was startled to hear someone coming along sounding very happy. I looked up to Grandpa Hino and Yuuichiro in tights coming along.

"What are you going, Ojii-san?" I questioned.

"We're getting ready for my new business."

"The other one flopped?"

"Hai, but it was too violent," the old man explained, "This is a jazz dance studio now!" With that, he marched in and put on some music. His acolyte followed.

I couldn't help the smile that crept across my face. 'You know,' I mused to myself, 'Hino-ojiisan picks himself up and continues on. Nothing gets him down.'

The music started me to thinking and I rushed off to use Luna-P. Moments later, I was dancing along side the pair in a set of cute tights and headband.

"Usagi needs to do this with all the sweets she eats," I absently commented, "She's too fat!" I didn't know it then but Mama had heard me.

End of Chapter 4

Coming next in Chapter 5 - Learning What's at Stake