Mama Usagi

A Sailormoon what-if

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DISCLAIMER: None of the characters, except Usagi's husband, are mine. Sailormoon
is copyrighted to Naoko Takeuchi, Kadansha Publishing, Toei Amination, Bandai Toys, DiC, Mixxzine,
and probably others I can't remember. But this story is mine.

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NOTES: The song I have Usagi singing and dancing to is "Gettin' By", written (?) and sung by Jerry Jeff Walker. The song is also where the chapter-title comes from ^_^

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Chapter 11: GETTIN' BY- 1st stanza.

______________________________________________________

Usagi sat in front of Jacob's tombstone for about an hour.
Although she vividly
remembered that day a year ago, part of her still
had trouble comprehending everything:
An orphan at 17, a bride at 24,
a widow at 40. Usagi woke up at nights, wishing that it was a dream,
that her husband would still be sleeping beside her.

"Demo.. it can never be like that, can it, koibito?"

Usagi was still in the hospital, recovering, when they buried
Jacob a week after the incident. She had wanted to be home for Jacob's
funeral, with her children, but that had been impossible. Ayumi had told her
later that the operation to save Tara and Mollie had been touch-and-go,
and had turned into an operation to save Usagi, herself!

"At least, Chibiusa and Reye and Amy were able to watch over the
younger-children.. with Shingo and Rachel's aid! And with Mizuno-Sensei
and Oosaka-kaasan!" She also thanked whatever gods were watching over her
that Jacob's grandfather had decided to put a family-cemetery on the farm!

"I could *never* return to Morgan Cemetery! Not after..."

Usagi then arose to brush some of Autumn's leaves off Jacob's
grave, then looked back down at the mound.

"You would be so PROUD of our joji, Jacob! ALL of them! Usagi is an
honors' student! And she is going to try for Freshman Debate-Team! She
like me.. always likes to argue!" She stuck her tongue playfully at the
stone. "Fortunately, she have Logic-no-Warren.. not like hahai-no-baka!"
Usagi then hit herself in the head to emphasize her point!

"Last year, she was having such a hard time at school! Demo.. you
told her she would do better! You always know her, as well as you know
me!" Usagi giggled. "Amy is doing better in middle- school, getting over
her shyness slowly. Demo.. outside is still painful for her. Raye
is pushing herself to keep up with sister! *heehee!!* Never want to be
seperated from Amy! Hai hai!"

Usagi sat back down. "Lita and Mina still try to out-do each other
in sport! And, try to settle arguments by wrestling! *Hahaa! Hahaha*
Demo.. Let NO ONE ELSE break in! Not even brothers and sisters! IYAA !!!! BIG
trouble! HAI! WORSE then me and Shingo.. and you and Rachel!

"Our sons are doing well- and still trying my patience! I will have
to ask your Kaasan if anything about sons do remind her of anything you
did! Then," Usagi grinned, "I'll ask how she kept her SANITY!! Do not
snicker! You know it's true! Then, there are Darien and Donna! You would
THINK by NOW I could TELL who.. is.. WHO!! Demo.. they can sound and act
so much alike.. and when they get into each other's clothes.. KOWAII!!!!
I have to fight urge to strip-search to make sure who is who.. GYAAH..
hentai-no-BAKA!!"

Usagi then pulled out a bottle of scotch and took a sip. Then she
poured a generous shot on the grave. "Your favorite! I.. need help,
Jacob! I.. am trying to hold on.. to farm, to.. sanity.. demo.. am I tired..
so tired... And.. your killer is still out there!!"

"You'll do fine, Usagi." A voice called out to reassure her from
the shadows of the trees. "You've been doing great, already! Just
remember.. I'm here... And.. you have alot of friends.. remember that..."

---------------------------

As the months went by, Usagi found herself becoming more-
comfortable with running the Warren-farm.. not the easiest of jobs, but one
she took great pride in! Of course, it was a challange! After all, 140
acres of land in production was no small business! Neither was corraling
11 school-aged children, plus 2 toddlers and 2 babies.

At times.. amidst all the business of raising the crops, cattle,
and kids.. Usagi would find herself in moods of melancholy, when she
would turn inward to her family for support.

With 15 kids to watch over, even the quietest can be a challange.
Amy, thankfully, had her home and family as a refuge from school. But,
even there she came to expect some good-natured torment.. mainly from the
brothers-four! Family-meals were always fun.

"Hay, Amy!", Zach called out one night, over-dramatically. "When
are we going to meet your boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend?" Amy meeped as she turned six shades of red. "Ahhh..
what.. boyfriend?"

"Yeah, Zach!" Jed piped up with a devilish grin. "What boyfriend?
Our sis actually has a boyfriend?? You mean, Amanda 'Stick-My-Head-In-A-
Book-Til-I-Get-Home-and-Maybe-Nobody'll-Notice-
Me' Warren REALLY has a BOYFRIEND??"

"Probably not that she knows." Kenneth mumbled under his smirk.

"LEAVE MY AMY ALONE!!" Raye was suddenly hovering protectively over
Amy. "If Amy has a boyfeiend, I'm sure she will tell us! She doesn't need
her baby-brothers tormenting her." Then, she smoothed out Amy's hair
after ruffling it and looked her twin right in the eyes.

"Do you have a boyfriend, Amy?"

"And, you're telling *us* to leave Amy alone, Raye?" Nathaniel smiled gently.

Chibiusa just lowered her head with a sad smile. She knew where this was leading.

"I.. do not know.. Rachel!" Amy stammered. "I.. guess? I've never really noticed?"

Kenneth grinned. "I figured."

"Well?" Raye asked. "Who is he??"

"Greg.. Waterman.. I think?" Amy tried to hide under the table.

"You THINK ???" Raye screeched.

"Ears hurt!" Darien cringed as Donna voilently shook her heard head
back and forth!

"Well?" Amy thought. "Greg's my friend! I just don' know.. if he's
my boyfriend!"

"Boyfriend! Boyfriend!" Mina and Lita sang out. "Amy's got a boyfriend!"

Raye glared at her sisters as Amy slid farther out of her chair.

"Come! Come!" Usagi sighed and smiled. "Supper now! Inquisition later!"

A week later, Usagi and Amy were working in the front yard, when a
sudden call disturbed them:

"EEYAAAAAAAA! EE.. EEYAAAAA!!"

They both looked in the direction of the scream, into the eyes of
the biggest hawk they remembered seeing! It was also the only hawk they
had seen that came so close to the house!

"Is.. there anything here in the yard hawks eat?" Usagi asked.

Amy looked around. "No ma'am", she chirped out.

"Then.. why is it here?"

"Here she is, Greg!" A boy's voice called out. "In that tree!"

"I see her, Ken! Now, let's see about getting her down!"

"Greg?" Amy called out. "Is that you?"

"Amy!! Is that your tree?"

"Yes, it is!" Amy spoke up.. then, hid behind Usagi. "Is.. that
your hawk?" She asked in a lower voice.

"Yes'm! Had her for two years, now! It may not be for much longer,
though, if I can't take better care of it! Dad says a bird is a big
responsibility!"

"Hello.. Mr. Waterman?" Usagi smiled and extended her hand. "Ami
has told us about you!"

"Thank you, Mrs. Warren, ma'am!" Greg's blush was rivaling Ami's.
"But, please! M' name's Greg! Mr. Waterman is my father. An' this is my
brother, Ken!"

"Hello, Ken!" Usagi smiled.

Amy peeked out from in back of her mother. "Hi, Ken."

Ken grinned ridiculously at Greg and then Amy. "Hi, Amy."

"Uh.. ummm.. H-h-hi.. Gregory?" Amy stammered.

"Uhhh.. Hi!.. A..manda." Greg blushed further.

'If he gets any redder his face is going to burn', Usagi said to herself, smiling.

Greg then remembered why he was there, and quickly pulled a lure
from his jacket-pocket. Then, raising a gloved-arm, he whirled the lure
above him with the other arm!

**WrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...**

"EEYAAAAAAAA! EE.. EEYAAAAA!!"

"That's it, m'lady Hermea." the brown-haired boy softly said as the
hawk flew his wrist.

"She's a magnificient bird, Greg!" Amy said, finally out from
behind Usagi. She gingerly reached out to the hawk. "May I.. touch it?"

"Just be careful, Amanda!" Greg smiled. "She may be a little anxious."

"OK, Greg!" Amy whispered.

"Hey, Mama?" Lita asked as she came outside. "Where's the party?
Oh! Hi, Greg!" She waved at the boy wiith the hawk. "Where'd you get the bird?"

"My dad's teaching me to train it!" Greg stood up proudly. "And, my
brother's helping me watch out for it!"

"You got a brother?" Lita asked. "Where?"

"Uhh.. Hi." Ken said. "I'm me.. ah, I'm Ken, I'm Greg's brother!"

"Ahhhh.. Hi", Lita replied with a suddenly-lost look on her face.
This was quickly replaced by a puppy-dog look in her eyes. "I'm Lita! And you're CUTE!"

Amy's jaw dropped.

Greg's eyes rolled up. "'Lady-Killer' Waterman strikes again", he mumbled.

"Are.. you interested in birds?" Lita asked Ken.

"Some," Ken replied, "but I'm just helping 'Bird-Brain', here!" Ken
chuckled as Greg *harumph*ed. "You know I love you, bro! I help him with
the hawk, and he helps me with my dogs!"

"Dogs?", Lita asked, suddenly excited.

Usagi smiled and went back to tending her flowers.

"Hi, Jacob." Usagi later spoke later to her husband's stone.
"Well.. Amy and Lita have found their boyfriends again. Maybe. And, if
the boys are anything like they were.. when I last *met* them.. I *think*
our daughters will have a chance to be.. as happy as we were! I hope
so. I love you, Jacob. I always will. Bye for now."

**********************************************

The year went by without any major interruptions.. Summer turned
into fall, and Winter to Spring.. and soon, it was Darien's and Donna's
sixth birthday!

And Usagi sighed. Time was flying by! And the fates seemed- for
*once*- to take Pity on the Warren Clan.

"Seemed to."

As Usagi got ready to herd the older kids off the school (with
Chibiusa singing the theme to "Rawhide"), she opened the front-door.. and
let out a SHREAK as a sleeping child rolled into the house!

"Doushita? Dochirasama?" Usagi asked the child as she woke up. She
then started to clean and soothe the frightened girl. "Wait! Wait.. it is
alright! I will not hurt you. You will be alright. You are Beryl, aren't
you? Beryl Blackstone?"

The child stared, wide-eyed and pale at Usagi, and slowly nodded her head.

"How long have you been outside?"

Beryl stared at Usagi.

"Were you at my door last night?"

Beryl nodded her head slowly.

Usagi slowly. protectively, hugged Beryl.

"Want me to take you home after I get everyone to school?"

Beryl stiffened instantly, then trembled and shook her head
violently. "NONONONOMO!!", she cried out, tears running down her cheeks!

"That's OK! That's OK!" Usagi tried to soothe the little girl. "You
can stay with me and my babies today. Hai. You will be safe."

A day turned into a day and a night, then two days.. then three!
Even having met her once before and remembering the pitiful state Usagi
had first seen Beryl in, Usagi was more than a little shocked - and
pissed - that Maddie Devlin seemed to show no interest in her own daughter's
welfare! Then came the end of the school-week.. and a visit from Jade
Blackstone.

"We all wondered what happened to Beryl!" Jade smirked, then
smiled. "It gladdens me that someone actually worries about her! There is
hope for little 'Berry', yet!" She than scowled. "At least, you care
about what happens, Usagi! Quite unlike her mother."

"What is Maddie's problem?" Usagi asked, trying to keep her mouth
shut and her temper in check!

"I wish I KNEW what that tramp's problem was!" Jade hissed.
"Whatever it is, I'm grateful Berry hasn't seemed to inherit it! Even
though everyone else in the Devlin-bunch treats her like shit, Berry
stays as sweet as can be! She's quite unlike her sister at her age!"

"Emma?" Usagi asked.

"Yes.. Emma!" Jade cussed under her breath. "Where Berry is so
sweet and loving, always wanting to be held, the *Devil-Child* sister of hers
always seemed to not even care if you lived or DIED in front of her! As
cold and heartless as the bitch that bore her!"

Usagi felt an icy-chill run down her back. It seemed as if her
feelings were correct: Mattalia was alive and well!

"Part of me hopes some trucker gets lucky and runs Maddie Devlin
into the PAVEMENT!" Jade spat out. "It'll serve that street-walker
right!" She then managed a smile for Usagi. "If that DOES happen, Miss
Warren.. will you look after Berry? She deserves a loving family!"

"Hai", Usagi whispered.

The next morning, breakfast was interrupted by a knock at the door.

*BOOM!*BOOM!*BOOM!*

"Coming!!" Chibiusa ran to the door. "Just don't break the door!"

**BOOM!!**BOOM!!**BOOM!!**

"I'm COMING!!" The teenager shouted. "Just don't break the.."

"I heard you, Warren!" Came a yell from the other side of the door.
"Just tell that Bitch-mother of yours to send my sister out here, or I'll
break down this damned door and burn the house down around it!!"

"You get off our FARM, Reuben!!" Chibiusa snapped back. "Before I
mistake you and that whore-sister of your's for SNAKES and shoot you!!"

Suddenly, Usagi opened the door, armed with a skillet! "What do
you want.. Mr. Devlin? Ms. Devlin?"

Reuben was taken aback by Usagi's seeming-aggressiveness! Emma,
however, still held onto her vemon. "That's BLACKSTONE! And, Mama wants
the kid back!", she snapped.

Beryl, who had come into the living-room, hid behind a chair!

"Your sister has a name." Usagi responded, suddenly-defensive at
Emma's callousness. "Her name is 'Beryl'!"

"Yeah? So?"

"While she is a guest in my house, you will remember to use her
name!" Usagi measured out her words.

"Don't be all High-and-Mighty with US, Queen Usagi!" Reuben snapped
out. "We may've been born in the woods, but you and you KIDS ain't
better'n us!"

"Who you are.. or are not.. makea no difference to me, young
Reuben! Your blood does not make you important. Your ACTIONS do! And.. you
are not ACTING like a man! Go home. And tell your.. mother.. if she wants
Beryl back, come get her, herself! Prove her love for the child.. to the child!"

"Our momma don't have to prove NOTHIN'!" Emma snapped out! "She
don't have to crawl to you.. 'N' she AIN'T! Keep the little rat!" As she
and Reuben left the Warrens', Emma turned back:

"You think you're so DAMNED GOOD 'n' PERFECT! But we'll break you..
y'HEAR?!?! We'll break ya 'til there ain't a Warren LEFT!!!! Ya won' even
be a MEMORY!!!!"

Usagi stood firm against Reuben's and Emme's attacks. True, the
Blackstone children were now adults.. and could make good on their
threats.. but, Usagi could not back down. She would not. Too many people looked toward her!

She turned around to the children. The outbursts of the
Blackstone-bullies had made Amy close-up into her shell again. Usagi could
see it! And, they had sent Rei running to her old over-protective self!
Chibusa was more worried than she had been in years, and the older boys
were being a *bit* too-guarded with their emotions for their mother's
liking! Her other children were more nervous than usual.

Then, there was Beryl.

"Kidzukau ne, Berry-chan!" Usagi reached out to the trembling
Beryl, drawing her to her breasts. "Do not worry.. we will not let anything
happen to you that you do not want to happen!"

Beryl slowly looked around at the reassuring faces of the Warren children.

"Hai." Beryle whispered.

Later that afternoon, Usagi went to visit Jacob..

"What could I do, Jacob? I could not send Beryle back to hornets'
nest! So What do I do?? I step in it myself!! Itai..."

A soft chuckle could bareky be heard on the soft breeze..

"Just like my wife.. Tora masquerading as Usagi..!"

"Not funny, Jacob Warren!" Usagi softly scolded. Then, she smiled.
"Heehee! Actually.. it is! Heeha! Demo.. what do I do, now??"

"Do what you have always done, my hime! What you were born yo do."
The wind whispered.. and seemed to hug Usagi close.

"Iie..", Usagi sighed. "Hime ne. Moon Kingdom is gone.. Moon-Princess gone. Just tired old woman, here."

"The Kingdom is a memory.. true..", the breeze kissed Usagi gently, "but, my Hime is still here.. along with the mother of my children! You will know what to do.. Usagi..."

"Hai." Usagi whisper as she choked back a tear. "I have to go, Jacob! Supper needs to be cooked!"

"Sayonara.. Usagi-chan..."

Late the next morning, as the clan was gathering-in from the
morning's chores, there was a pounding at the front-door.

"I will get it!" Amy sang out. "Whoever it is.. someone in coming!
There is no need to break down a door!"

Amy opened the door.

"Hello, Retard!" Emma sneered. "Mama sent me up here t' pick up the little rat!"

Amy grimaced. "Just what I needed to see before dinner! You, Emma-
toad, are threatening to make me loose my appetite! At least, clean
youeself up before you come here.. if that is possible. You smell worse then
a chicken-house!! MAMA!!!!"

Usagi walked up to the front-door.. and forced a smile. "How can we help you, Miss Devlin?"

"Toad is beyond help..", Amy muttered as she stepped behind Usagi.

"Mama said you best give the rat back to us..", Emma began.

"Her's name's 'Beryl'!" Usagi and Amy spoke as one.

"Or MOM'LL HAVE THE WHOLE *COUNTY* OUT HERE t' *GET* YA!" Emma screamed out in a tentrem.

"I didn't know the whole County DID Maddie Devlin?!" Amy shot back.

Usagi was torn between the need to punish Amy for what she just said and the desire to hug and kiss her for not being afraid of Emma!!

"Did you just call my mama a WHORE, Retard?!?!" Emma demanded.

"Ahhh.. yes?" Amy responded.

Usagi fought down a sudden-case of the giggles as Luna trotted
into the front room. "Usagi? Amy? Dinner is getting..!" She then saw Emma
Blackstone. "Oh. Goshinpainaku! Dinner can be re-heated! I see we have
pest-problem!"

"I'd watch what I'd say, if I were you, Retard!" Emma shot back.
"You ain' no better'n me! In fact, Teacher's Pet, I'm a WHOLE LOT
better'n you in ALOT of things!" She shuck her hips and breasts as if to
emphasize her boast!

"Where you ARE better than me, Miss *Devlin*.." Amy said in an
annoyed tone, "I don't want to go! Don't know what I'll bring back with me."

"Thank you for coming by.. Emma.." Usagi began to shut the door
before she started laughing in Emma's face. "We shall talk.. later?"

Later that day, as the crew was getting ready for the late-
afternoon- and evening-chores, there was another knock at the front-door!

"I GOT IT, MOM!!" Raye called out, as Lita and Mina followed her.
"If it's who I *think* it is.. Amy don't need to go through round-two!"

Raye opened the door.

Damien and Stefan Blackstone were standing at the door.

"Ugh!" Raye reacted. "I'm gonna be sick."

Lita and Mina peered through a window.

"YOW!!" Lita cried out as Artimus trotted to just behind Raye. "My EYES hurt!!"

"I've seen less flash from the chrome off an eighteen-wheeler!"
Mina giggled. "The clothes those boys *almost* have on are certainly loud!!"

"What do they say?" Lita grinned at her twin.

"Ummm... 'Very Expensive Gigalo'?"

Both girls burst out laughing!

"She's right, for once." Artimus sighed... then went to join Luna.

Raye sighed. And, not from just wondering where Mina and Lita
were picking up their vocabulary! Reuben's brothers were as bad as he was!
They were smoother than their little-brother, but no less bad!

"I'd like to talk to Mrs. Warren.. girl.." Damien said.

"Sorry!" Raye teplied in as gentle a voice as she could find. "We
ain't interested in the snake-oil you're selling. Bye." Raye then
*politely* closed the door.

*Knock! Knock! Knock!*

Raye opened the door again.. and quietly wished for her sisters to
disappear so she could strangle the two *boys* in relative-peace...

"What- do- you- want?" Raye growled out.

"Will you be a good girl, and get you mother for us?" Stefan asked
in a condescending tone. "Our mother sent us over here to get our sister!"

"Sorry!" Raye smiled and spoke in a high, squeaky voice. "But, my
mama told me never to speak to strangers.. and", she returned to her
normal voice, "there's nothing *stranger* than you teo birds, here!! GO!!!!"

Raye quickly shut the door.. to the cheers and high-fives og Mina and Lita!!

*BOOM!! BOOM!! BOOM!!*

Raye quickly opened the door, "WADYAWANT?!?!?!?!?!"

Damien cursed, "Our mother DEMANDS her daughter back right- now.. Bitch-puppy!!"

"Well.. I'm sorry.." Raye stifled the need to beat the idiot before
her sesnseless, "but MY MOM has said she WON'T give up Beryl to ANY WOMAN
who dresses her sons up like some New Orleans PIMP!!! Now... GOOD-BYE!!!!"

The door was quickly slammed in the brothers' faces as they tried to storm the front-room!!

"Dammit, bitch!" Damien cried out. "You broke my NOSE!!!!"

"You're lucky I didn't shove the damned thing into your BRAIN!!!!"
Raye screamed from behind the door. "Now... GO HOME!!!!"

That night, after the kids were put to bed, Usagi went outside to
look at the moon and stars. After a couple of minutes, she found herself
at the cenetary.

And Jacob was waiting for her.

"How are the kids?" Jacob asked.

"They're alright. Rachel says Bertie's got the sniffles. Want a drink?"

"Don't mind if I do!"

Usagi took a nip of the scotch from the bottle she brought and
poured a generous shot over Jacob's grave. She then turned to the ghostly image in the moonlight.

"I.. need help.. kiobito! The.. farm.. the chilren.. and, now..."

"We've all known you needed help for some time, Usagi!" The ghost grinned.

"Nani-YO??" Usagi gasped, grinning slightly. "Jacob-no-baka..!!"
She then tossed a sprinkle of whiskey at the ghost. "Hehee...!!"

"Really Usa!" Jacob smiled. "You have more friends around here then
you know. You don't have to go this road alone."

"I am NOT alone, Jacob-sama!" Usagi smiled back. "And, I will never be alone!"

"As for the Devils..", Jacob frowned, "How can I help? I can't do much, nut..!"

"Can you imitate fighting cock?" Usagi asked in all seriousness.

"A fighting WHAT?" Jacob chuckled.

"Not a 'What' Graham Jacob-san! A 'Cock''! Fighting COCK! You
remember, hai? Small rooster with long spurs on legs and Go-to-Hell attitude?"

"My widow needs a BIRD???" Jacob snickered.

"Hai." Usagi bowed. "Gomen nisai! Demo.. chicken-fight seems to be only thing Devlins understand!"

"Don't worry, Usagi." Jacob grinned. "Everything'll be alright. You'll see."

Gently, Jacob's shade took hold or Usagi. Music started. And the Warrens danced:

*********************************************

Hey, there, buckaroos, Scamp Walker time again

I'm trying to slide one by you once more

Don't matter how you do it

Just do it like you know it

I've been down that road once or twice before

Just gettin' by on gettin' bys my stock in trade

Living it day to day

Pickin' up the pieces wherever they fall

Just letting it roll, letting the high times carry the low

I'm just living my life easy come, easy go

Last week I was thinking, its record time again

And I could see Mike pacing the floor

Ah Mike, don't you worry, something's bound to come out

Besides, I've been down this road once before

Just gettin' by on gettin' bys my stock in trade

Living it day to day

Pickin' up the pieces wherever they fall

Just letting it roll, letting the high times carry the low

I'm just living my life easy come, easy go

Income tax is overdue, I think she is too

Been busted and I'll probably get busted some more

But I'll catch it all later, can't let em stop me now

I've been down this road once or twice before

Just gettin' by on gettin' bys my stock in trade

Living it day to day

Pickin' up the pieces wherever they fall

Just letting it roll, letting the high times carry the low

I'm just living my life easy come, easy go

I'm just living my life easy come and easy go

*****************************************
"Don't worry, Usagi!" Jacob smiled before he vanished. "Trust me.."

"I do, Jacob-koibito." Usagi whispered. "I do!"

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

Next Chapter: "Gettin' By- 2nd Stanza".. comeing as soon as I can write it!!