Life At 902 Chapter 11 Promises to Be Kept, 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 11 - Promises to Be Kept

While eating supper, I realized that there was unmasked tension between my mother and grandmother. The apparent cause wasn't immediately clear although it was obvious to me that Tsukino Ikuko was still perturbed by my behavior. Still, it shouldn't have carried over to Usagi. The cause of the tension eventually became evident when Usagi asked if I wanted any dessert. Ikuko's nostrils flared. She seemed on the verge of saying something but restrained the urge.

'Maybe it's not a good idea,' I thought to myself. Given how Grandmother was acting, she might decide that she was going to punish me instead of Usagi. If that were the case, my bacon'd be in the fire for sure. Therefore, it was with great willpower that I turned Mother down, excused myself, and padded up empty-handed to my room. There I curled up on my bed letting Diana nestle beside me.

"Small Lady, where's dessert?" The kitten had acquired a sweet tooth after her regression although not as big as mine.

"Yeah well, Ikuko-mama's still pretty mad." And then to change the subject, I asked, "Ne, Diana, where did I leave off?"

"You were stalling getting Their Majesties back together so His Majesty could buy you presents." I glowered at my guardian adviser who just gave me a smug look.

"Baka," I grumbled, "Anyway..."

- - - - -

The Four Sisters were worried when I told them that Esmeraudo had come to the past. They thought she was even more insane and fashion-challenged than Rubeus was. I had to agree. I was also starting to realize that the oldest of the quartet was truly and deeply in love with Prince Saffir. That particular realization was a bitter pill to swallow. It was made even worse when Cooan mentioned something to the effect that she thought he felt the same way towards Petz. I envied her. The idea that Saffir didn't reciprocate my feelings never entered my mind.

Time passed and I put that time to good advantage, or tried to. I managed to bully... or rather persuade the Sailor Senshi into training under my direction. The most aggravating part was that Sailor Moon never once attended a training session.

Typically, I started each session off with basic tactics. Ironically, much the same regiment they taught me so long ago. At least, what I remembered of it. Given my small size and relative clumsiness, I have to explain the moves more than demonstrate them. Ami and Minako were quick studies although Minako was more into flair than Ami. Rei was slower but Miss Kino tossed strategy and finesse to the winds; she found it a waste of time.

After tactics, we did some single combat and practice target stuff. Rei and Makoto excelled at that. We typically finished with team combat.

I always found this part the most frustrating because Minako was reluctant to assume the leadership role I wanted her to take. Without Sailor Moon there, she should have been in charge. I think the blonde was only reluctant because the others were less than enthusiastic for her to take it. I've noticed that despite the cohesiveness of the group, Aino Minako is an outsider at times. I had a small suspicion that her Sailor V days might have been a factor.

Anyway, one Saturday afternoon, while Usagi was off shopping with Naru, I gathered the Senshi together in a quiet place for a practice session. I had devised, what I thought, were some brilliant new battle moves, and wanted to test them out. That fact that I wanted to show off my new forest green-colored jumper didn't hurt either. I am not a big fan of the color yellow but it went well with the jumper so I chose a plain yellow T-shirt to wear under it. I might be small but my fashion sense was still keen.

And speaking of the fashionable, Minako protested being there at all, i.e. I was cutting into her boy-hunting time. Rei was ambivalent and Ami was trying not to look pleased. Still, it was Makoto's attitude that should have warned me. She arrived in a foul mood. Her disposition towards me quickly deteriorated although the reason at the time escaped me.

At any rate, we started off the session as usual. After I described my vision, the girls working in two sets of two to save Sailor Moon, they agreed to give it a try.

After some quick target practice to warm up, we setup the scenario and began a real test of my new tactic. Things seemed to go along quite well until Sailor Jupiter charged directly at the simulated enemy, punched it, and shouted, "Got ya!"

"YOU'RE DEAD!" I shouted.

"Nani?!" The tall Senshi stopped dead in her tracks and regarded me in bewilderment.

"You havta to stop charging!" I said heatedly, "Kami-sama, Jupiter, you do it all the time!"

"It works!" she retorted.

"Iie, you'd be dead right now!" I pointed out, not willing to give an inch. She turned to walk away. The ponytailed brunette never seemed to listen to my plans and I thought she was doing it on purpose. "You and Mars are strongest," I continued with my lecture, "I put Venus in the rear to coordinate because she's leader..."

"Sailor Moon..." she interrupted turning back around about fifteen feet from me.

"Ain't here!" I finished. "Get her to come for once, Jupiter, and we might actually get an effective practice in!" Sailor Jupiter clenched her fists and took a step forward. Sailor Mars gave her a look that stopped her.

"Mercury's tactically strong but..."

"Listen, CHIBI-Usa," Jupiter began, "I don't care what you think you know. We're a team. We fight as a team. Battle plans are all fine and good but you don't know the enemy."

"Honto?" I stood with my hands on my hips. "They've been after me for a long time so I think I know them better than some wet behind the ears teenager."

"Are you saying we aren't any good?"

"Hai! My mama's proof!" I shouted back thinking about poor Mother encased in crystal by them. I felt tears come to my eyes. "You're just too pig-headed and a loner, Jupiter. At least, the others are here to protect Qu-Princess Serenity."

That was not the best thing to say. Mars tried to stop Jupiter but she wasn't quick enough. The Jovian Senshi cleared the distance between us in the blink of an eye. The next I knew, she was holding me aloft by my ankles with her right hand. Only my pink pigtails touched the ground. The eminent sense of doom was counteracting the sense of embarrassment I might have otherwise felt by my failing attempts to maintain my modesty. As it was, I revealed to the girls that I had a cute anime character on the seat of my underwear. Then a long buried memory popped into my mind. I had pushed Sailor Jupiter too far one time when I was young and gotten a couple of smacks to my bum for it. She was apologetic but I wasn't in any hurry to tell Mother.

"Please, Jupiter, don't do anything," Sailor Mercury pleaded, always the peacemaker, "She doesn't know." That brought me back to the present.

'Nani? Know what?' I wondered but only for an instant as Jupiter pivoted with me to her teammate. Now this princess will admit that her kid's body liked rollercoasters and other such entertainment in this primitive time. However, being suspended upside-down by an angry Sailor Senshi was a completely different matter.

"She's got no right..."

'Eek! I'm in trouble!' I thought before demanding, "Lemme down. I'm a princess."

"If you're upset by her behavior," Mars offered, "Tell Usagi. After all, she IS her mother."

'Mama?!' That sent a jolt through me. 'Kami-sama, she wouldn't be happy.'

"Or Tsukino-san," Mercury commented.

"Hai... Tsukino-san would be better."

"Iie!!!" I declared. Mother being told would be bad enough, but Ikuko finding out would be even worse. I was sure to be grounded at the least. She was a stickler for respecting my elders.

I would have said more but Luna suddenly appeared. "What's going on here?" Jupiter, thankfully, righted me. The Lunar cat was upset although at whom I was not sure.

It took a couple of days for me to smooth things over with the girls. Minako was the easiest. I just told her how great a leader she was now and in the future. Ami and Rei were both logical, although both flinched when I brought up my reasoning for Minako being leader in our sessions.

I was not looking forward to dealing with Makoto. I knew I couldn't ask any of the others but I didn't want to face her alone. I came up with a compromise -- I dragged Momoko along to present my apology gift. I told my seven year old friend that I had been rude and wanted to mend things between us because Makoto was a good friend, and made great tasting food. The little girl wanted to know what insane notion had struck me to be rude to the imposing brunette.

Makoto forgave me. I know this because she let Momoko and I help her make cookies. There was still some tension though and I was puzzled as to what was going on. Being a kid has its downsides at times.

Before our next training session, Mizuno Ami invited me over to discuss something. So, the next day, I visited her after school. I told Ikuko I wanted her help with some homework. My grandmother made me promise to be back before supper. The walk to Ami's apartment was uneventful.

The Senshi of Mercury invited me into her home with pleasant if reserved air. The notion that she was going to tell me something she really didn't want to tell me tickled the back for my mind. At her request, I settled on to the couch; she sat beside me. The teen quickly came right to the point of the meeting.

"Chibi-Usa, you were rude to Makoto." I felt myself flushing brightly. "We all know who you are," Ami continued, "But that does not give you the right to be impolite to your elders."

"I apologized," I grumbled out while fidgeting.

"It just isn't this time," she explained, "I would hope that Usagi would raise a more well mannered daughter than what I've seen."

"Hey! That's not fair!" I protested, stung by the teen's comments.

"Honto?" she asked me. "We know you are a very smart little girl..."

"But?"

"And you've been through a lot but you can't expect to boss us about just because you are a princess in the future. I'm quite sure Usagi wouldn't permit it." Her tone suggested that she wouldn't allow it either. "Makoto certainly won't." That made me wince.

"Gomen, Mizuno-san, it's just..." Words failed me. 'How do I politely tell them that they've been extremely lucky to be alive after they've saved me so many times?'

She seemed to understand because she remarked, "There is a difference between our future selves and the way we are now, ne?" I nodded. "But that is in the future. It's not your job to prepare us."

It was bitter but it was the truth. "I wanna help." 'I havta...'

"Of course, you do, Chibi-Usa-chan," Ami conceded, "And we appreciate it."

"I just wish Sailor Moon would show."

"You're going to have to inform Usagi first," Ami replied.

'What's she got to do with it?' That annoyed me but I didn't pursue it. Instead, I asked, "Ami-san, when you were trying to calm Jupiter down, you said that I 'don't know'. What don't I know?"

The Senshi of Mercury gave me a look that sent a shiver down my spine. Ami never did answer me, nor did any of the other Sailor Senshi.

- - - - -

Esmeraudo didn't show right away but I was sure that she was out there somewhere, plotting something. Usagi was still behaving lukewarmly towards me though definitely more tolerant. I could now walk into her room unannounced and not face instant ejection.

I decided the best approach to smooth things out with the Sailor Senshi was to revert to kid mode. After I showed that I respected and just wanted to help them, they each assured me that they wanted my help and wanted to be my friend. However, clear boundaries were set. Help and suggest I could do; trying to boss them around would result in them informing Ikuko of all of my disrespectful behavior. I'm ashamed to admit that I was more worried about how Grandmother would react than how Mother would.

November had little snow. In fact, it was like a warm spring. If memory serves, snow came down twice and was gone by the next day. This lack of snow didn't hurt my feelings although Momoko and my other elementary school classmates begrudged the lack of it.

Towards the end of November, Mother was particularly depressed. Father was still being an idiot despite my best efforts. Then one day, things changed. The pigtailed teen came home looking more hopeful than usual.

She explained that she was going to make a friendship bracelet and "win" Mamoru's heart back. Further explanation showed that these bracelets were all the rage among the junior high school set. Apparently, she had gotten the idea from Naru and Umino of all people.

Usagi dashed up to her room after supper to work on the bracelet. I, on the other hand, firmly planted myself on my grandfather's lap and pestered him about reading me a story.

"What about at bedtime?" Kenji asked me.

"Iie, Kenji-papa," I replied and looked him sternly in the eye, "You were mean to me this morning." I gave him a cute little pout.

"That's not true, Chibi-Usa-chan," Grandfather protested.

"You scared me and made me drop my toast."

"Scared you?" he asked quizzically. I nodded. "Like this?" he added and then started tickling me. I gave a screech of surprise and promptly fell to the floor with a thud. I glared up at him before breaking into a fit of giggles. Uncle Shingo just rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Come over here, Chibi-Usa-chan, and I'll read you a story," Grandmother offered me.

"I want to," Grandfather protested.

"You said you wouldn't, Ken-chan," she retorted, "I wouldn't let him if I was you." She gave me a wink.

"But I'm the much better storyteller, I-chan."

"Honto?" Ikuko asked.

"Who read Usagi bedtime stories, ne?"

"I did... after you scared her half to death."

"I did not."

I exchanged looks with Shingo and then wondered, 'Did I ever act like this in front of my kids?' I didn't think I had and that was a real shame. "You scared Usagi?"

"Silly," Ikuko said emphatically.

"Well, who read Shingo that one story..."

"Hey, Otou-san, don't get me involved," Shingo protested. I grinned. I knew what THAT story was.

"And who was a member of the drama club in school?"

"You did lighting for them."

"I was in a play," Grandfather protested.

"Honto?" I asked.

"Hai. Only one, Chibi-Usa-chan. And that's because he was an understudy and the guy broke his nose," Ikuko remarked.

Grandfather opened his mouth, closed it, and then asked, "Anybody want to get an ice cream cone?"

"Hai! I do!" I shouted. Scrambling up, I launched myself at him. "Take me! TAKE ME!" I wrapped my arms around him and grinned. "Ice cream! Ice cream!" Have I ever mentioned how much of a sweet tooth I have as a kid?

"It's November," Grandmother protested but it wasn't any use.

- - - - -

"Oh don't mention dessert!" my Lunar guardian complained. My tummy rumbled in agreement.

"Gomen nasai..." I said sheepishly, "I guess I brought it up because it's kinda important." The kitten gave me a quizzical look. "Well..."

- - - - -

The term that described me when I got home was "wired for sound". Going to get ice cream had turned into a sweets fest, thanks mainly to my charm, rapier wit, and in one case, howling at the top of my lungs until I got what I wanted. Throwing a tantrum can be fun if you do it right.

What followed was, is to me, a little harmless disobedience to the rules. The other occupants of the Tsukino home were not so like-minded. This princess was finally put to bed at about eleven-thirty. Well past my bedtime. This feat was only accomplished by Usagi solemnly promising to sleep in my room. I'm not sure when I fell asleep that night. It was certainly after Usagi had.

At any rate, my entire being protested when it was time to get up and go to school the next morning. Grandmother didn't have the least bit of sympathy for me. Yawning and dawdling became the order of the day. Of course, I was late for school so my teacher had me stand in the hall with a sign saying "I was tardy" hanging from around my neck. This led to me think that it was too much work and highly unfair so I decided to sit down for a few minutes. Almost as soon as my head went back against the wall, I closed my eyes and fell sound asleep.

The day went downhill from there.

- - - - -

I frowned at the look my guardian was giving me. "Nani?"

"I thought I taught you better than that, Your Highness." I frowned even more. "As a lady, you should have controlled your childish urges."

'That did it!' I thought. Reaching under the bed, I brought up a ball, a soft bell tinkled inside. Diana's eyes widened slightly. I lifted it above my head and then tossed it. Like a shot, she was off chasing it. The ball vanished down the stairs and so did the grey kitten.

By the time she returned, I had recovered from my fit of giggling, although I could still feel the grin on my face stretching ear to ear.

"That," Diana began darkly, "Was not very nice, Small Lady."

"Oh please!" I protested. This princess noticed her guardian still had the toy.

"I hope the Queen Mother grounded you," the kitten remarked.

"Nah, she had her patience back by the time I slunk into the house." I snickered at Diana's annoyed look. "It helped that I apologized before she could really scold me. 'Sides, Diana, it was Kenji-papa's fault."

"Nani? What was my fault?" a voice asked.

I nearly leapt out of my skin. My heart was acting like a jackhammer. "You scared me!" I protested. My grandfather smiled slightly.

"Well?"

"Nothin' Kenji-papa."

"Hmmm..." He regarded me for a long moment then said, "I heard there's been some naughtiness. I won't have to deal with it, ne Chibi-Usa?" That prospect had me rapidly shaking my head. "Good, it's time for your bath."

"Hai," I agreed and after he left the room, I began gathering up my stuff.

"What was that all about?"

I shrugged and continued with the story, "Anyway, Diana, Mama came in shortly after me and dashed up to her room. She was gonna change before going to the bracelet class that evening. I got her to take me..."

- - - - -

After supper, I sat in my room, first working on my homework and then on my drawing. The low table in my room was near the large double window. With the bed in the middle of the room, I didn't see the black Lunar cat come in until she had hopped onto the bed.

"Oh!" I squeaked with surprise before I looked up and found myself being observed by Luna.

"I think," Luna began, "We need to tell Usagi soon, Chibi-Usa-chan."

"Ne, tell her what?" I asked innocently.

"Who you are."

I could feel my brow wrinkle slightly. "Nani? And who am I, Luna?" 'Kami-sama, who blabbed?!' I wondered angrily, 'What else does she know? Is just Luna or does Artemis know too?' I was almost positive he did.

Luna hopped from the bed to the table and sat down before me. "You know what I'm talking about, ne FUTURE PRINCESS?" She paused giving me a stern look. She had me dead to rights. "Usagi can't go on like this."

"Like what?"

"This break-up with Mamoru is bad, even worse than before."

"Before?" The guardian cat remained silent. "Lu-na...?" I tried to sound severe but it came out in a worried squeak.

"Chibi-Usa-chan," Luna continued after a moment, "What have your parents told you about Queen Beryl?" The answer was a standard little kid shrug. It hadn't been much. My knowledge had come from picking up bits and pieces over the centuries. It's not like they sat me down and had a talk with me... like they did when it was the... when... I blushed a little bit.

"Nani?" That question made me blush even more.

"Um... Nothing, Luna," I retorted, trying for calm, "So what do you think telling her will do?"

"Give her hope," the black cat stated firmly, "Usagi needs hope. That's her strength. You should know that."

"She's working on a promise bracelet for Pa-Mamoru, Luna. When she gets it done, she'll give it to him." I smiled. "He should know what it means." 'I hope.'

"Have you done yours, Chibi-Usa-chan?"

"Hai." I lifted my hand up. The bracelet was around my wrist. "Mama thinks it's for a boy at school." A giggle came out and I grinned. "Maybe I should go see how she's doing."

"Good idea, Chibi-Usa-chan." Nodding, I got up and started for the door. "Say what's the picture?"

"Have a look," I said over my shoulder. As I left the room, I heard the Lunar cat snickering to herself. Crossing the hall, I peeked in through the partly open door and saw the teen slumped over the low table sound asleep. The bracelet's weaving was only about a quarter done.

'Wish she'd let me help,' I thought to myself as I padded into the room. I was deciding whether to wake her up or not when Usagi suddenly bolted upright.

"Mamo-chan!" she cried out and leapt to her feet. "I have to talk to Mamo-chan!" Nearly running me over, the pigtailed teen shot out the door and down the hall.

"Hey!" I shouted after her, "Usagi-chan! Wait for me!" I grabbed up Usagi's attempt at a bracelet and rushed after her. As I thundered downstairs, I could hear Ikuko asking her where she's going. Mother jumbled out an explanation that didn't make any sense and rushed out of the house, leaving the door open.

I knew Grandmother would not want me following but I had to. Disregarding her, I grabbed my street shoes and sprinted after my mother. 'Something must have happened but what?!' My parents shared a link, a very strong link. 'Is Papa okay?' That made me very worried. If something really had happened to Mamoru, then Usagi would be even more upset than she had been before.

I paused after running a hundred yards only long enough to put my shoes on. "Go find Mama!" I shouted to Luna-P. It sped off on its errand. I'm a good runner but I was hard pressed to catch up with spry blonde. My legs just aren't long enough in this body although I didn't run much as an adult either for other reasons. Thankfully, Usagi still had sense enough to stop for red lights. Although by the way she was bouncing from foot to foot waiting at them, she looked like a little kid badly needing to go potty. I should know I'd done the same thing myself.

When the light turned green, she might have rushed off yet again but I caught her hand. The teen looked down at me and frowned. "I... wanna... help... Onee-chan," I huffed. I didn't have the breath for further words as we raced down the sidewalks at breakneck speed.

I am a little ashamed to admit that I was all too grateful to plop myself down panting on the steps leading into Mamoru's apartment building. "Ne!" I called to Usagi as she moved towards the front doors, "Usagi-chan, take this!" I pulled off my completed bracelet and held it up to her.

"Iie..."

"Take it!" I requested more forcefully than I really wanted to. "It's important. You can help me make another one, okay?" Reluctantly, the blonde took it and ran into the building.

A short time later, Luna came rushing up to me. "Chibi-Usa-chan, where is she?"

"Inside," I indicated and then looked around. 'Now where'd Luna-P go?' My floating companion was nowhere in sight. As I waited, I thought back to how I'd gotten my bracelet...

- - - - -

"Forget it, spore!" Mother retorted when I told her I wanted to come.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because I don't need you hanging around me."

"I wanna learn how to do the bracelets too, Usagi-chan!" my voice whined. 'Why's Mama being so stubborn?'

"You'll just make me look bad, Chibi-Usa."

"Will not."

"Usagi-chan, take your cousin," Ikuko instructed and instantly, that settled that.

At the class, I quickly learned what had to be done. I found the process easy. Although lacking fine control in this regressed body, mine definitely looked like a kid had made it. Usagi, on the other hand, was definitely struggling. She began to wail and eventually the teacher tossed her out. Wanting to give moral support, I left with Mother who was looking unhappy.

"You can give Mamoru mine, Onee-chan," I offered as we walked down the sidewalk.

"Iie. Arigato Chibi-Usa-chan," Usagi declined and smiled, "You made that especially for a boy."

'Uh oh...'

"What's his name anyway?"

I sighed. 'Mama's got the wrong idea.' "Just use mine. You'll never get yours done."

"Biida..." Mother replied while blowing me a raspberry. I replied in kind.

'Mama no baka,' I thought, 'And they think I'M a kid!'

- - - - -

I guess I should explain something at this juncture although it took me quite a while to discover it. Usagi had had a dream, a very powerful dream depicting the future. Father had the same... Well maybe not the same but a similar dream. This was what was keeping them apart!

Now Mother as a fourteen year old can be fairly clueless. I'm not trying to be mean but it's a fact. It is also a fact that on this occasion, she had insight into what was finally going on. That was what prompted her to dash over to Mamoru's with Luna and I following.

I sat on the steps waiting for Usagi and hoping for the best. I talked with Luna. "Maybe I should tell her, Luna," I remarked, "But she's still mad at me."

"She's unhappy, sweetheart," Luna said, "I know she likes you if that's what's worrying you." I think I blushed a little for that had been something I had worried about. "Usagi... is confused by you."

Blinking, I opened my mouth and then closed it again. 'Huh, that's something I never thought of.' Wanting to change the subject, I held up the partially completed bracelet she left behind. "I hope Usagi comes back soon. I want her to help me with this."

Luna turned her head towards the door and after a moment said, "Here she comes." I stood up and turned. She was right. My mother was coming through the door and didn't look happy.

My first thought was to go and hug the teen but before I can even move, pain worse than I'd ever felt shot through me. I yelled as Dark Power coursed from the bracelet that I held ran through my body setting all my nerve endings afire. The black Lunar cat immediately jumped up and ripped the bracelet out of my hand as Usagi came running towards me.

With relief, I dropped to the ground and scuttled a little away from the bracelet still sparking with Dark Power.

"Chibi-Usa-chan! Are you okay?" Usagi asked in a very concerned voice.

"Hai," I squeaked out, tears were running down my face.

"The bracelet, Usagi," Luna declared, "It's filled with Dark Power."

"What about Papa... Mamoru?" I asked in a worried tone.

"He has it," Usagi said and was about to turn then regarded Luna.

"But where..." Luna began.

Both feline and teen looked at each other for a long moment. "The school!"

"IIE! Naru-chan!" Usagi exclaimed, "I have to help them, Luna." Mother gave me this funny look and glanced back at Luna.

"What about Mamoru?!"

"He's a big boy, Chibi-Usa-chan," Luna told me, "He can look after himself." This kid thought that was pretty heartless.

I didn't argue the point because I noticed that Usagi was holding her broach. 'What's she doing? The Senshi should be able to handle it. It can't be serious enough for Mama to use the Ginzuishou,' I decided. Then Mother shouted something that took me completely by surprise...

"MOON CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!"

End of Chapter 11

Coming next in Chapter 12 - Of Mothers, Nurses, and Needles