Life At 902 Chapter 10 Battles Big and Small, 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. Comments are welcomed and encouraged.

Chapter 10 - Battles Big and Small

I paused in the recitation of my story as the memory of that day once again reverberated through my mind. Diana looked as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. The stretching silence was broken by a new voice, one I had been waiting for.

"Usagi!" It was the voice of my mother. "Tsukino Usagi, I want to talk with you!"

My stomach curled around my toes and my heart quickened. After a moment, I forced myself up from my bed and stood. "Coming!" I called back. Mustering my courage, I marched down the stairs from my attic bedroom to the second floor. The hallway was empty but Usagi's bedroom door was open.

Padding along the hallway in my socked feet, I came to the doorway, stopped, and peered inside. The pigtailed blonde was sitting at a low table. She had already changed into more casual clothes, i.e. out of her school uniform. She motioned for me to join her at the table and I padded inside shutting the door behind me. Once there, I sat down and looked nervously at my mother.

"Usagi," my fifteen year old mother began briskly, "I had lotsa thinking to do. You said a lot of things yesterday."

"Yeah and you didn't listen to none of them," I stated. 'Kami-sama, she's really mad. Mama never calls me 'Usagi' unless I'm in Crystal Tokyo.'

"I did listen, Musume." That was not a good sign. "I've decided that I can't really punish you as a kid."

"Honto?" Mother nodded firmly. "Um... so what's left, Okaa-san?"

"Well, I have to punish you as an adult then."

My mind must have tripped over that concept because I simply sat there dumbfounded staring at the teen. She gave me a sad smile and continued, "Don't look so stricken, Chibi-Usa-chan. I still love you so I've decided that tomorrow after school, you're moving in with your father."

"Nani? You're kicking me out?" I asked in a squeaky tone of disbelief.

"I'm not 'kicking you out'," Usagi explained with exasperation, "I'm letting you go where you can do as you please. You can't be a grownup but look eight around here. It's for the best. Mom's sure to get after you for something sooner or later and it'll just cause problems."

"But that ain't fair!"

"I guess you could move in with one of the girls but I didn't ask them." Usagi tapped her lips. "Maybe you're right, Usagi. Hmm... Let's see... The only other option is going back home."

"Nani? But, Okaa-san, I wouldn't be able to hang out with Momoko then."

She shrugged. "Honto? You keep telling me that you're not a 'little kid' but an adult. I saw you myself in Crystal Tokyo. Besides, why would you wanna hang out with Momoko? She's just a silly little girl, ne?" My fists clenched and I glared angrily at the teen. "Usagi, I love you and it isn't like you'll never see me. You can come visit me sometimes. I just think you'd be happier over at your father's."

"And what does Pa... Mamoru say about this?" I demanded. I felt a lump forming in my throat.

"He agrees with me..." Usagi replied and then muttered, "for once."

"So you WANT me to leave." I was on the verge of tears. I was being abandoned!

"Of course, I don't want you to leave!" Usagi nearly shouted, "But you insist that you're an adult, ne Usagi?!"

"I am!" I shouted back and stomped my foot, which was a good trick since I was sitting down, "You can't make me go." 'Baka Odango Atama.'

"I can and will, Usagi," my mother countered firmly, "Because it's either that or I'll order Sailor Pluto to take you home."

"You hate me, ne?" I asked softly, my eyes misting over. Usagi shifted around and hugged me. 'What did I do that was so bad?'

"Iie... I don't hate you, sweetheart. I just want what's best for you. I want to make you happy. Being eight when you're really 903 just ain't cutting it." I hugged... clung to her. She couldn't be serious, could she? She gently pushed me away and suggested, "Maybe you should think about what you wanna take with you. There's not much space over there. And you'll probably have to get a job too to help Mamo-chan out." With that, my mother got up and left the bedroom. She called over her shoulder, "I'm gonna go set the table. Ja!" With that, she disappeared down the hall.

Slowly I made my way back to my room, not sure at all what I was feeling. To forestall any embarrassing questions Diana might levy, I continued the story from where I had left off.

- - - - -

I wasn't long sitting on the ground. Someone scooped me up and hustled me out of sight behind one of the buildings. As it turned out, it was Mamoru, although at the time, I didn't know how had come to be there. Later I discovered there was a link he shared with Mother that drew him to the Hikawa Shrine.

'It's my fault... My fault...' I was inconsolable. I'm sure Mamoru was thinking he'd never get me to stop crying when Rubeus' voice boomed from above the shrine grounds.

"Sailor Moon, you have not chosen to show yourself. No matter. Give me the Rabbit and the Ginzuishou, or your friends, and everyone in this city, will perish!" Something like three long heartbeats of silence passed before the fiend continued, "I will return in three hours!"

'About bedtime,' my mind supplied uselessly. And then in a graceful manner, the UFO vanished up into the clouds along with its Sailor Senshi captives.

I hugged Father tightly and hid my face from the world. He wrapped protective arms about me and we started to move off. The trip to Mamoru's apartment seemed to take no time and forever. We found Mother there and though she spoke to Mamoru, she would not look at me. Luna and Artemis were there as well.

Once inside, I went out to the balcony wanting to give my parents some time alone. Perhaps if Mamoru talked with Usagi, she would forgive me. At least, I hoped she would forgive me.

'They'll get back together,' I thought to myself as I stared out over the city and the darkening day. Dark unnatural looking clouds were beginning to roll in. They looked like waves washing over the city, pushing out the light.

"You tried to go back."

I started and looked up to see Mamoru standing beside me.

"Un..." I pulled my blouse forward and pulled out my Time Key. "But it didn't work. Gomen." 'Why didn't it work this time?'

"Chibi-Usa-chan, let's not have any more secrets," he suggested as he crouched down. "Why did you take the Ginzuishou?"

"Mama... I need it to save my mama. Please..."

He frowned slightly. He placed his hands on my shoulders and asked, "What's happening in the future?"

"I don't know... I don't know..." I whispered out softly. Sighing, Mamoru stood and looked out across the city. A sad expression marred his features. "Usagi hates me."

Father turned and regarded me for a long instant. Then he knelt down once more and said gently, "Chibi-Usa-chan, Usagi doesn't hate you. I don't believe that she could hate anyone, not truly hate them. You understand, ne?" I nodded but he gave me a look as if he didn't believe me. "Usagi's just upset. Give her some time to cool off and she'll apologize."

I don't really know what to say about the next two hours. Usagi who was obviously still in a state of shock sat silently on the couch, going on to the balcony at one point. Or the plan Luna and Artemis dreamed up to take my place themselves by dressing up as me. That brought a smile to my face for a few moments in an otherwise bleak situation. I think the sweetest thing was when Mamoru used a Tuxedo Kamen doll to present me with a rose, to try and cheer me up.

As the hour of Rubeus' return grew closer, I thought about contacting Sailor Pluto. The Guardian of Time was sure to help me. I was also contemplating what I could do when Mamoru burst into the room and demanded, "Minna, where's Usagi?"

"Usagi-chan?" I questioned. 'Mama was right here a minute ago.' I hopped from the couch and ran to the bathroom -- that's where I had thought she'd gone. Before I could make it, something caught my eye. "Nani? The front door's open!"

"She must have gone to save them."

'Iie... To get Sailor Moon!' Now was my chance. Quietly I slipped from the room and ran down the hallway. Out into the darkening night, I ran and saw her, Sailor Moon, waiting. I kept out of sight.

It wasn't long before the UFO descended. The streetlights dimmed then went out as it approached. During the day, it was malevolent. At night, it was an astounding sight with many lights that winked beating out patterns that captivated the eye. I approached silently as a spotlight illuminated where Sailor Moon stood. All the time I wondered where my mother was, hoping she was safe.

"Welcome Sailor Moon... and Rabbit."

"Rabbit?!" Sailor Moon exclaimed and whirled around, "Chibi-Usa! What are you doing here?"

"I wanna help," I whined moving forward to stand in front of her, "This is my fault, and I wanna save my friends."

"Run away before he catches you!"

She was genuinely afraid for me. Before I could respond, the light started to shimmer around us and we were sucked inside the UFO.

- - - - -

I passed out for a moment, and when I came to, I was inside the spaceship with Rubeus standing in front of us.

"Ah, the Rabbit at last. Konbanwa Your Highness." He bowed with a feral grin on his face.

"Shut up, Rubeus!" I shouted back, scrambling to my feet.

"Nani? She isn't the Rabbit." Sailor Moon giggled oddly. "She's just my baka little cousin."

"Oh?"

"You really think I would bring the person you wanted? She's just my cousin and you fell for it!" She giggled again.

'Has Sailor Moon lost her mind?' I thought. 'I'm not related to her.' At least, I didn't think so.

"I will have time enough to find out later, Sailor Brat. For now, I will destroy you in front of your friends." That's when we saw them. The Sailor Senshi were hanging unconscious on crosses made of crystal.

We were on the verge of a life and death battle and all Sailor Moon could say to me, in a very easygoing tone, was, "Go hide someplace safe." You would think that she'd just be a little more worried. She was either very brave or a fool. Rubeus, I could understand. He was confident to the point of arrogance and with good reason. I suddenly wondered if Sailor Moon had ever faced a battle such as this.

"It'll be okay, Chibi-Usa-chan," Sailor Moon declared and stood up, "Go hide."

"H-Hai," I replied and scurried off, Luna-P in tow. 'Now what am I going to do?' I tried to think what I could do against Rubeus to help us win. The Sailor Senshi were in no state to help and I couldn't transform.

"MOON PRINCESS HALATION!" Sailor Moon cried out. We were both shocked as Rubeus knocked it aside. He then fired back, knocking Sailor Moon backwards.

'Think Chibi-Usa! Think!' "What's wrong?!" I called out to Sailor Moon as she seemed to stagger. 'Super Gravity?' I thought. Just what he used before. She seemed helpless.

"You cannot hope to defeat me, Sailor Moon. A special crystal increases my power many times over!" He started to cackle which caused my blood to run cold.

'Increases his power?' He was bad enough without a power boost. 'I have to save the others while he's distracted. Maybe I can use Luna-P to wake them up. She needs their help!' As Rubeus gloated, I ran forward, hope starting to grow as I neared them.

And then, every nerve in my body screamed in pain as electricity coursed through me. The power surged inside of me and the beam of energy that I let off when truly scared or in danger burst forth.

"So, it IS the Rabbit," Rubeus commented, "Don't try to reach them, Princess. There is a high-voltage electrical field around them."

'Don't worry,' I answered silently as I lay on the ground, 'I ain't gonna do that again.' Every part of my body ached. 'If I can't reach the Sailor Senshi, what am I going to do?'

"Are you enjoying the Super Gravity?" Rubeus asked Sailor Moon. "I can reverse it as well!" Rubeus then lifted his arm, flinging Sailor Moon high into the air.

"Kuso..." was Sailor Moon's comment. I had the odd feeling that she wasn't talking about Rubeus' latest predicament.

"Now you see, Sailor Moon. We are high above the Earth in space. There is nowhere to escape to."

'Oh Kami-sama,' I prayed, 'Get me out of this and I will eat carrots for every meal for a month.'

"You'll never win, Rubeus!"

"Now die!" was Rubeus' reply. He brought both arms sharply down. Sailor Moon rocketed downwards and slammed into the floor as the gravity once again increased many fold.

'Back to business,' I thought. Pushing myself up, I looked around and saw something suspicious. I watched it for a moment and it pulsed with light. 'That must be...' I quietly walked over to a large dark crystal that rested in a housing on the floor. 'It's bigger than I am,' I observed. As I drew closer, I could feel the power flowing from it. 'But is this the one?'

I regarded the battle. Sailor Moon was now in a crater on the floor. "Die!" Rubeus shouted and the air around the Sailor Senshi seemed to shimmer with energy.

My mouth swung open in utter shock as Sailor Moon started to push herself up. "I can't forgive..." She struggled to her feet. "I can't forgive you." The warrior fully straightened then and the gravity field failed.

"I underestimated you a little bit... NOW DIE!" Rubeus shouted the last while launching a streaming column of black energy at her.

"MOON PRINCESS HALATION!" was the mysterious Senshi's reply.

The crystal before me flared. 'This IS it!' I thought and jumping up beside it, wrapped my arms around it. 'Come on, Chibi-Usa! You can do this!' I pulled and power surged through my being. I cried out as I was flung backwards. I lay there panting. It hurt worse than the forcefield that had stopped me from saving the four Senshi earlier.

The tide of battle swung in favor of Rubeus as his dark power overcame Sailor Moon's attack.

"You found the power amplifier, ne little girl?" Rubeus declared while floating above me, "You will have to be taken care of now..." The man smiled evilly. "What a pity."

"MOON PRINCESS HALATION!"

"Nani?" Rubeus turned and knocked the flying crescent moon-shaped energy away from him. He erected a forcefield. "What a strong woman."

'Now Chibi-Usa!' I thought but my body didn't want to; it hurt too much. 'You have to, Chibi-Usa, or Mama and Papa will never be okay again. You'll never see Ikuko-mama or Kenji-papa or Momoko or anybody else again.' Ratcheting up my courage, I jumped in front of the crystal again, wrapped my arms around it, and pulled. Pain shot through me and for an instant, I faltered.

"You can do it, Chibi-Usa! DO IT NOW!" Sailor Moon commanded.

"Hai..." I replied. I could do this. I MUST do this. Gritting my teeth, I pulled with all my might and cried out as Dark Power coursed through me. 'Mama! Papa!' I thought desperately, 'I have to hang on! Kami-sama, help me!' It seemed to go on and on for a long time before the power surged within me yet again. It washed away the Dark Power stronger than before. It filled me up, replacing the pain with a longing for home, for warmth and comfort.

With a final cry, the energy flooded out of me and the power amplifier crystal came out. As I fell backwards, the giant crystal flew from my grasp shattering against the floor.

Rubeus turned and in that instant, I saw him defeated. Sailor Moon's attack slammed him against a pillar and the Control Center fell to the floor.

The Senshi dropped to the ground and started to stir as alarms sounded throughout the ship.

"Minna!" I called out, shuffling forward on hands and knees.

"Chibi-Usa!" Mars cried and came forward, resting a hand on my shoulder.

"You're okay... All of you are okay," Sailor Moon said as she came up. It would have been a joyous reunion if Rubeus hadn't popped in.

"Baka! With the Control Center gone, this ship will explode!"

"Nani?" Venus demanded.

"But you'll die too," Sailor Mercury pointed out.

"That's right. I cannot return to the future. So it's befitting that I die here... with you." He smiled. "I..." Then he screamed as flames engulfed him.

"Minna, how are we going to get out?" the Senshi of Jupiter demanded.

"There is a way," Venus ventured.

"But Sailor Moon is weak and we have Chibi-Usa now."

"We have to try. If we concentrate, we can use the Sailor Teleport."

'Where do they keep getting these things?' I wondered, 'Sailor Teleport?'

"Chibi-Usa-chan, you can do it too, ne?" Sailor Moon asked.

"Hai."

"And I'm fine. So let's do this." I stood in the center holding Luna-P as the flames danced around us, consuming the UFO.

"MOON CRYSTAL POWER!"
"MERCURY STAR POWER!"
"VENUS STAR POWER!"
"MARS STAR POWER!"
"JUPITER STAR POWER!"

Then all the Senshi shouted, "SAILOR TELEPORT!" The sensation is indescribable but moments later, it was over with and we were safe again, safe on Earth with the familiar buildings of Juuban District around us.

"I should go get, Usagi," Sailor Moon announced, "It's late and she needs to go home."

"And take Chibi-Usa too."

"Hai..." Sailor Moon agreed, "That too." With that, she bounded off into the night. The Senshi took the time to detransform then and when Usagi appeared, there was certainly a teary reunion.

I kept out of the way. "Ne, Chibi-Usa-chan?" Usagi began while crouching down to look at me. "Gomen nasai. I didn't mean to slap you." My eyes immediately misted over, and sniffling, I flung myself at the teen and wrapped my arms around her neck. She didn't hug me though. Instead, she pushed me back and said, "We need to go home now." I might have cried again but the other girls looked worried so I put on my bravest face and hurried after my "cousin".

Our return home was about as anticlimactic as you could get. No sooner had we stepped into the house than Grandmother descended on us like a wrathful angel. We had missed curfew and boy was she mad!

I was immediately sent to my room after being scolded for being out so late and told that if I didn't go straight to bed, I'd be sorry. Rubeus was scary but Grandmother was not to be trifled with. Hurrying up the stairs, I paused at the landing and listened.

"Tsukino Usagi, how dare you keep her out this late?!" The infuriated mother was saying to her fourteen year old daughter. "And you missed your own curfew too. Now do you have a good reason?"

"I was with the girls."

"That's no excuse not to use a watch!" The entire lecture went on from there to Usagi's general tardiness and forgetfulness. It ended with Grandmother pronouncing, "Usagi, your new curfew is six o'clock. Maybe if you show some responsibility, I'll change it back. And you can head to bed the same time as Chibi-Usa does." I winced. Mother was already in a bad mood because of me. That sentence would just stoke the fire I had lit. I scampered for my room. It was not out of any real worry that Grandmother would catch me. I was being cowardly.

I just didn't want to meet Usagi on the stairs.

- - - - -

I haven't had much to say about my grandfather. I certainly don't mean to ignore or disrespect him. It's just that Grandmother was at home more. It was she who normally handled household matters, handed out the chores, and the discipline. Tsukino Kenji was friendly and attentive when I wanted to talk and occasionally indulgent. The fact that he rarely dealt with my misadventures might also have had something to do with his demeanor to me.

At any rate, Grandfather showed his markings as a true parent a few days after our battle with Rubeus. I was distracted. I still had a nagging suspicion that the red-haired miscreant had somehow survived it but that suspicion was slowly fading.

I think it was a Thursday. Or maybe, it was a Wednesday? Anyway, Grandmother was out somewhere, Uncle Shingo was shut in his attic bedroom playing video games, and Grandfather was reading the newspaper. I came downstairs holding my tummy and walked down the hall to the living room. Pausing only for a moment, I hobbled over to where he was sitting on the couch. "Kenji-papa, I don't feel very good," I informed him. Normally, I would have gone to my mother but she had absolutely no sympathy for my current state. Worse, she almost implied I deserved it.

"What's wrong, Chibi-Usa-chan?" my grandfather queried me.

"My tummy hurts." I couldn't figure out why. The last thing I had to eat was a cookie, a yummy one at that, although I was not going to mention that to him. I was sort of stuck. I had to trust to twentieth century medicine and he was my best access it. Kenji drew me closer and put his left hand on my forehead.

"You feel a little warm. Maybe we should take your temperature, ne?"

"H-Hai," I said and swallowed. I swallowed again. I suddenly felt very odd almost... 'Uh oh!' The next instant, I was displayed what I had in my stomach right into my grandfather's lap.

Naturally, I was mortified. He took it better than I did. After strategically placing me in front of the toilet, he left to change quickly and to rouse Usagi to clean up the mess. The teen seemed to be a little more sympathetic to me. At least she didn't accuse me of being sick on purpose.

It was a good thing too that Grandfather put me in front of the toilet because I needed it a couple more times. Finally, when my stomach was purged and I was feeling quite miserable, he took me upstairs and put me to bed.

The rest of that night was fuzzy. Usagi came in to check on me. I think it was Usagi. I was so out of it that it could have been Prince Diamondo dressed in drag. Thankfully, I didn't become sick during the night but by morning, I felt very cold. Grandmother said that I still had a fever and she'd call a doctor. Now I have nothing against physicians. After all, Ami was one back home. I should clarify my problem. What I feared were hypodermic needles and the primitive concoctions that passed as medicines in them. In my current diminutive state, I was likely to get one.

This princess needs to explain such a thing because my behavior during the trip to and at the doctor's office was less than stellar, even granting that I was not feeling well. My fear came true but not how I thought. I got poked with a needle to draw blood for some stupid test! I really let out a screech let me tell you. I won't even mention what he asked me to do with the small plastic container he provided; I felt like telling him I wasn't an accomplished gymnast. The doctor ended up giving Grandmother some kind of prescription for me.

After managing to survive my visit with the doctor, although I didn't feel any better, this invalid was whisked home. All the while hoping that what he gave her would do the trick and make me feel better.

Sometime before lunch, we got home, where upon I was given a cherry-flavored liquid prescription, and put right back to bed. This suited me fine and I almost immediately drifted off to sleep. An hour or two later, I ate lunch without much energy and soon after curled back up in bed with a stuffed bunny as company.

Things didn't get much better the remainder of that day. I woke up, my heart thumping almost out of my chest during that night. I knew I had had a nightmare but couldn't remember it. Briefly, the notion of spending the rest of the night with Usagi came to mind but I knew she would only send me away. Biting the bullet, I snuggled deep under the covers, closed my eyes, hugged my bunny, and told myself that nothing in my dreams would harm me. After all, I was really an adult and a Sailor Senshi!

What happened during most of the next day I don't know. Later, I found out that Ikuko was worried that I was sleeping too much. The fact that she could rouse me likely kept her from phoning the hospital.

- - - - -

I paused and looked at my guardian cat. "I'm not sure what all went on before I woke up, Diana. Usagi was a little vague -- just that the girls came to see me. I called out and Puu appeared."

"Nani? She appeared?"

"Hai. In Luna-P," I replied before trying to explain it.

- - - - -

Luna-P turned translucent and in the middle of the shimmering ball was the image of Sailor Pluto. "Look after Small Lady," she told Usagi.

"Puu... I wanna go home!"

"You can't right now, Small Lady. You need to stay in the past with the Sailor Senshi. They will protect you."

"Puu... My mama, I need to... Please, Puu, let me come home!"

"Gomen nasai, Small Lady. It isn't time yet." With that, the Guardian of Time faded.

"PUUUUUU!" I cried out. I drew Luna-P to my chest and started to cry.

"It'll be okay, Chibi-Usa-chan," Usagi consoled gently and put a hand on my back. That was the nicest thing she had said to me since the battle with Rubeus. I cried harder. Pushing Luna-P away, I hugged my mother as best I could.

My grandparents, Ikuko in particular, was skeptical of my quick recovery. They couldn't deny the fact that I was acting much healthier. Nonetheless, they still had doubts. Those doubts led to me being confined to my bed for another day.

This was even more boring than the couple of times I could not, or Luna-P would not, let me get out of being grounded to my room. Therefore, I stayed in my bed only long enough to make sure Grandmother was busy doing something downstairs, then I ventured about.

I got cocky. Why did I start playing Uncle Shingo's video games? That prompted my grandmother to move me downstairs and put me on the couch where she could "keep an eye on me." She explicitly told me that there would be no television. She took the remote control away and hid it. Oddly enough, it took Grandfather nearly a week to find it even though Grandmother never had any trouble changing channels.

I sulked. Boy, did I sulk. This little girl put her entire being into it. It was completely and utterly childish but it worked. Ikuko gave in and allowed me to watch a movie. She also stated that after lunch, she would take my temperature, and if it was normal, I could get up and play quietly inside. I wouldn't be allowed outside. Not one to tempt fate, this princess agreed.

It was back to school the next day, where I was given all the homework I missed as well as the new stuff. Momoko was happy to see that I was better and we fell to discussing school gossip.

That Sunday it was exceptionally warm, almost like summer. Usagi, having finally been given a proper curfew for her age, once again, was in good humor. She didn't immediately kick me out when I came in. Sitting down and spreading my homework over the table, I glanced hopefully up at my mother. The teen ignored me. She wasn't going to kick me out but she wasn't going to acknowledge me either.

'Now what am I gonna do?' I wondered as I tried to appear stumped by a math problem. 'She's still not talking to me.' Although "the dream" had thawed the ice a little.

'What did they see?' The Senshi knew something. They knew more about Crystal Tokyo than I ever told them. 'Who could have told them?' I don't think the Sisters would break their promise to me. 'Then who? Did Pluto show them? I wish I could remember what happened.' I didn't remember much beyond waking up and seeing all the girls smiling all around me. My revelry was interrupted when Mother gave a loud sigh and pushed her homework away. "It's tough, ne Onee-chan?"

"Why are you in here?" By way of answer, my small hands held up my own homework. "Well, go away."

"Can't I help?"

"Go for it, Chibi-Usa," Usagi challenged me and put her homework in front of me. She started grumbling. "It won't matter what answer Haruna-sensei sees. I'm never gonna get it."

"Not if you keep drawing bunnies..." I muttered than stopped myself. I started to ponder the best way to help her without betraying myself. 'Maybe...'

"Hey, Chibi-Usa-chan, there's a new sweet shop. Let's go check it out."

My tummy, traitor that it was, rumbled with gleeful anticipation. "Iie, not before we finish all our homework 'cause Ikuko-mama would be mad if we didn't, ne Usagi-chan?" The teen grunted with displeasure, took her homework back, and set about doing it industriously. 'Mama, you're such an airhead.'

After lunch, Usagi and I set out to the new sweets shop. Mother wouldn't let me hold her hand and it hurt. That gesture alone represented the fact that she might be in a good mood but she still hadn't fully forgiven me for my involvement in the Rubeus mess.

"I'm happy you're feeling better, Chibi-Usa-chan," Usagi commented.

"Hai!" I chirped. "Usagi-chan, I'm glad you ain't mad at me." I said the last with more hope than I felt.

"Why should I be mad?" the pigtailed teen asked sarcastically, "I mean you only drop from the sky, brainwash my family, steal two of the most important things from my life, and then nearly get both me and my friends killed because you couldn't keep your hands off my stuff."

"I needed it to save..."

"I don't care who you needed it for! The Ginzuishou's not..." Usagi's sentence was cut short as she collided with someone. "Kami-sama, watch where... Mamoru?"

"Mamo-chan! Mamo-chan!" I cried while running around Usagi to stand in front of him.

"Ne, how's my kawaii little girl today?"

"Good Mamo-chan. I'm feeling lots better." I gave him a hug and then added, "You can buy me some ice cream and then, I need a notepad and an eraser and..."

"Hold on, Chibi-Usa," he interrupted, "You should maybe let me check my wallet before asking me to buy you presents."

I smiled widely. I wasn't the least bit embarrassed. Sometimes being a kid had its advantages.

"Good. Now you can go with Mamoru and I won't have to take you. Ja!" Usagi remarked.

'But she wanted to a minute ago,' I thought sadly as I watched the blonde race off down the street. "I thought she'd come with us, Mamo-chan."

"So did I," Mamoru echoed. Was it my imagination or did he sound hopeful?

- - - - -

"Chibi-Usa-chan! Pizza's here!" Mother called out.

"About time," I grumbled to myself, then shouted, "Hai!"

"Ne, Small Lady, why didn't you just tell Their Majesties who you were and get them back together?" Diana demanded as I scooped her up.

"I just couldn't do that, Diana, and then that crazy Esmeraudo appeared. She had a Droid attack the sweet shop." I was going to gloss over the fact that I got into a fight with Usagi over a sweet, and the fact that I had participated in a very childish tongue war with her.

"All those sweets!" the kitten moaned.

"Hai," I commented licking my lips, thinking back, 'But that's when I really decided I couldn't leave right away. It was my duty to whip the girls into shape.'

End of Chapter 10

Coming next in Chapter 11 - Promises to Be Kept