Life At 902 Chapter 14 Shadows of the Future, 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 14 - Shadows of the Future

In retrospect, my hiding place may not have been the wisest choice. I had tucked myself behind the skeleton hanging on a wheeled stand used in our science class. The alcove where it was stored was dark. The skeleton provided me some camouflage but still allowed me to watch the door. Luna had left me temporarily to the scout around. I had let her go because I didn't want to show her how scared I truly was.

I quickly discovered that watching a doorway is impossible with your eyes closed. I was squatted down eyes tightly shut. My right fist was tightly held to my chest attempting to restrain my pounding heart. I wanted to go out and save Momoko and my friends but what could I do? I was useless. I spent what seemed like an eternity hiding. I heard several groups of people pass by obviously searching for me. I prayed that Sailor Moon would arrive soon.

When a voice first uttered my name, I thought it was an enemy trick so I stayed quiet. But then it said in just above a whisper, "Chibi-Usa-chan, it's me Sailor Moon!"

Cracking one eye open, I saw that it was indeed my mother. Standing after all that time was difficult causing me to moan slightly. Little did I know that this was going to put the Senshi of the Moon on edge.

"Sailor Moon!" I started to say in a plaintive wail. Mother stiffened. "Sailor Moon!" I cried again and ran forward. Unfortunately, running forward pushed the skeleton ahead of me. The teen started to yell and I wasn't sure why. Nor did I care why either; I was too busy crying. I latched onto a leg and bawled.

"Chibi-Usa," I heard her hiss. In retrospect, I know she was trying to settle me down but at that moment, crying was all I wanted to do. I wanted her to pick me up and comfort me so bad. I was the helpless little girl I appeared. Of course, I didn't know that the skeleton was still between us. Suddenly my blood turned to ice as she gave a yell of surprise. It was a Droid! I yelped in pain as a hand suddenly clamped around my wrist. Sailor Moon jerked me off my feet as she raced from the room. My feet didn't make contact with the ground until we came to an abrupt stop.

"Nan..." I started to say and then stopped. There was a lanky looking figure with long white hair and a Black Moon Family sigil ahead of us. Turning, I saw another person with different hair. 'Two Droids!' A heartbeat barely passed before they attacked.

Again, I was yanked off my feet as Sailor Moon dodged it. "Hey! I ain't no rag doll!" I complained. One of the Twin Droids got ahead of us forcing us to stop again. I...

- - - - -

"I don't wanna hear anymore, Princess!" Diana wailed her paws held out in front of her.

"Calm down, Diana. You know we made it out okay."

"But it's scary! Get to the part where the Sailor Senshi show!"

- - - - -

I knew the others had arrived after a thick fog suddenly engulfed us. Mercury had used her "Shabon Spray". When it cleared, I was surprised to see Momoko standing beside one of the Droids. She was still wielding a broom, her eyes filled with Dark Power glowing evilly.

"Momo-chan!" I shouted and ran towards her. I nearly got clobbered for my efforts had not Sailor Mars pulled me back. My best friend advanced, brandishing the broom as if it were some sort of martial arts weapon. With a yell, the seven year old launched herself into our midst, scattering the girls. The enemy took full advantage and surrounded us with a shield of Dark Power. We were trapped.

- - - - -

A shiver ran through me. "I remember yelling," I commented to Diana, "But Momoko was yelling too. I forced myself to move over to her. I had to save her whether I was a Sailor Senshi or not." I could still hear my voice calling her name. "I hugged her then and the energy welled up. It pushed away the pain of the Dark Power that surrounding us and began slowly pushing back the attack as well." The grey kitten sat in awe.

- - - - -

"Momo-chan?" I asked.

"Chibi-Usa-chan?" she questioned as her eyes returned to their normal color. I helped her stand and she gave me a weak smile.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Hai," my best friend replied and gave me a little smile.

"Rabbit," one of the enemy growled, "Time to come home, little girl!" He launched an attack.

"CHIBI-USA-CHAN!" Momoko shouted. She pushed me away remaining in the line of fire. Her screams echoed in my mind as black energy ripped through her. The present fell away then. I was transported back to Crystal Tokyo... To the day that the Black Moon Family invaded... To the day that Mother was hurt.

All my worry and pain, all my torment and guilt exploded then building a massive surge of power. The buildup made the air rush about me. My pink pigtails started to flow upwards.

"You hurt Mama!" I shouted. I was going to punish them for that. "YOU HURT MOMOKO!" I howled. For that, I was going to make them suffer. "I WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU!"

The energy within me peaked bathing me in a light so intense that I could barely see. I felt a massive release course through me, but I did not question it. These two had hurt Momoko. Their masters had hurt my parents, my friends, and my subjects.

I, Usagi Serenity, Crown Princess of Crystal Tokyo was going to make them all pay! My body had good sense if my mind didn't. It clamped down on the power before it drained me fatally. In a moment, it had faded away. My pigtails had completely unraveled, and I fell forward exhausted.

"Chibi-Usa-chan!" the others called as Sailor Mars caught me.

"Momo-chan?" I asked softly and struggling against the weak feeling, reached for my friend who lay unconscious on the floor. Debris was scattered everywhere. "Momo-chan?" All I wanted to do was cry again but I fought it. I would cry later. Momoko and Mother needed me to be strong. Sailor Moon still had to take care of the enemy.

As the Senshi left to deal with the Twin Droids that I had scared away, I sat there on the floor with the unconscious girl hugging her protectively. My strength slowly returning.

From what I heard later, the battle was quick and decisive. The Sailor Senshi showed no mercy to these two. The time for mercy had passed as far as I was concerned. This was no time to enjoy a second childhood. It was time to crush the Black Moon Family utterly and completely.

- - - - -

Momoko and some other students were transported to the hospital for treatment. All save Momoko were released that day to their parents. She would recover but she'd have to stay hospitalized for a couple of days first. My school was in roughly the same condition as Momoko. It would be closed a few days for cleanup.

You might think that a massive investigation would be launched after such an incident but you'd be wrong. This was Juuban District Tokyo Prefecture, Sailor Senshi territory, and its residents had long since learned that "weird shit" happens. I suppose if there were an investigation, I wouldn't have heard of it. Nevertheless, somewhere deep in some secret vault contains a section dedicated to the Sailor Senshi; I'm sure of it.

Anyway, that afternoon, I returned the sickroom visit my best friend made to me the day before. The brunette was happy to see me although very weak. 'She's just a little girl...' I realized. I felt horrible and angry but I wasn't going to show that to Momoko; she needed cheering up. In fact, Mamoru and the others came with me to the hospital to visit her too.

Later, we walked out to the rooftop balcony to watch the sunset. Father must have known what was on my mind for he said, "Usagi-chan." At first, I didn't think he was talking to me until he put a hand on my shoulder. I turned. He was crouched down so we were at eye level. "Usagi-chan... Chibi-Usa-chan, we want to help you. Tell us what's going on in the future, please?"

"Hai," I agreed after some thought. The time for inaction had passed. These five people and two guardian cats would need to know what was going on. They would need to know a lot. A cold wind kicked up then which sent a shiver through me.

- - - - -

The week passed and I continued going to school. Dark banks of clouds gathered by late Thursday. The meteorologists were calling for snow. During that week, we held two Senshi practices at my insistence. Usagi and Minako were the only ones to object even though the latest enemy had proved harder to defeat than normal.

That night, my carefully constructed timetable was torn asunder as Old Man Winter descended on Tokyo with a vengeance. It started to snow that night shortly after I went to bed. Through my bedroom window, I could see the flakes of snow starting to fall. We were sent home early Friday and the building flurry of snow promised that school would likely be canceled the next day, which it was.

On Saturday, I might have gone out to play in the snow but Momoko wasn't about. She'd been grounded of all things although for what this princess couldn't find out. Anyway, I played quietly at home trying hard not to be in Grandmother's way. My efforts to keep out of the way were appreciated and by ten, Ikuko had completed what chores she needed to get done. As a reward, I got to help her make cookies. An adult I might really be but being invited to make cookies gave me a nice warm fuzzy feeling.

Uncle Shingo had gone out somewhere, which was a little disappointing because we didn't spend a lot of time together. I took the opportunity to make an extra large cookie for him.

As the house filled with the smell of baking cookies and we waited for them to be done, I curled up on the couch in a fuzzy pink sweater and a pair of long pants besides the adult and listened contentedly to a story. Somewhere along the way, I fell asleep, not stirring until someone poked me.

Sleepily looking up, I beheld Shingo giving me an annoyed look. "Move it, short stuff."

"Shingo!" The voice brought me fully awake. My face broke into a grin as Mika came into sight. 'Mika-obachan!' I thought happily. Scrambling up, I gave her a hug, which annoyed Shingo, and then I hugged him tightly too. This made him blush; the older girl giggled.

"Wanna watch a movie with us, Chibi-Usa-chan?" Mika asked me. I nodded. The relationship between Shingo and I wasn't the best. For starters, there's the age difference and then too, there's the fact that I tend to stick up for Usagi in their silly sibling squabbles. My uncle tolerates me, as one who would tolerate an affectionate but slightly irksome, little cousin.

Mother always told me that I got along well with her little brother when he was alive. I don't have any doubts of that. Where Usagi will, as I can attest sadly, have only one child. Uncle Shingo and Aunt Mika live up to Usagi's namesake.

"Save the movie for after lunch," Grandmother suggested.

"Yeah!" I declared as my tummy rumbled. Shingo seemed annoyed but he was always on his best behavior when Mika was about.

After lunch, I thoroughly embarrassed Shingo by presenting him with the special cookie I made. I managed to make him even more so after that. How you might ask? This princess sat on his lap during the movie. Mika thought it was cute. Partway through the movie, Usagi showed up. Thankfully, she didn't tease Shingo or I might have not returned to the future. As it was, he didn't forgive me because I gave him a hug around his neck and a quick kiss before I left to talk to Usagi. I wanted to make sure she was doing her homework.

It continued to snow the rest of that day and well into the night. The wind whipped the falling snow into a swirling torrent of whiteness, howling like some dark creature of the night.

- - - - -

This little girl has a vivid imagination. In some respects, it's a blessing; in other respects, it's a curse. On this particular night, I managed to scare myself silly. It wasn't long before a small quivering form was snuggled against her teenage mother. Mother slept on oblivious to my presence; her arms and legs flung wide. I tried to snuggle as close to her as I could and eventually went to sleep. While I don't know it for sure, I can only surmise that Usagi shifted during the night and my body instinctively moved to get comfortable. That's the only way I could reasonably explain how I ended up the way I did.

A warm feeling of perfect contentment met me upon waking. Then I realized I was lying funny. I knew this because Usagi's face was right in front of me and I was lying on my tummy. My legs were straddling her stomach and I had my arms wrapped around her neck. By the looks of it, I had drooled a little in my sleep. The teen must have been dead to the world not to notice me yet.

Mother was hugging me and the covers were pulled around us for warmth. A bleary look at the clock showed it was still early. Softly settling my head back, I closed my eyes and gave a small burble of contentment. Eventually this princess would have to move but for a few seconds more, it wouldn't hurt, right?

'Kami-sama!' I thought with a little annoyance, 'I supposed to act my age! I'm not really a child!' My body told my mind to shut up. It liked to cuddle. In the months I've been in the past, it still hadn't gotten its fill. Shifting as gently as possible, I settled into a more comfortable position.

It wasn't long before Mother stirred. I opened my eyes and found myself looking into a sleepy gaze. "Na-ni?" she asked then blinked. A warm smile came onto her face and she said sleepily, "Get off, Musume, you're heavy."

"Do I hafta?" I mumbled.

"Come on, sweetie," my mother implored while patting my bottom affectionately, "You're a little too big to lay on top of me but next to me is okay."

This kid shifted then happy to see that the teen had rolled to her side so that we could hug each other. I squirmed to get a little closer and rested my head against her arm.

I was just starting to slide back into sleep when I got a signal from my body. In a slow voice, I asked, "Mama?"

"Nani?" the teen vocalized.

"Can I go pee?"

A second or two passed before she giggled and joked, "Not in bed please."

"Um... Hai..." I squeaked turning red. "But I don't wanna get up. I'm nice 'n' toasty."

Usagi gave me a little kiss and asked, "What if we take a quick bath to warm us up, then we can make everybody breakfast, Musume?"

'Mama get up this early!' I smiled a little. "Hai... Mama," I agreed then shivered as she pushed herself up. 'Brrrrr!!!'

- - - - -

"You weren't really gonna..."

"Uh, guess not," I said before thinking, 'I won't tell her about...' "Anyway in the furo, we scrubbed each other's back and washed our hair. Then, we sat beside each other and talked. That was about the only time I wished I had been even younger."

"Ne, talk about what, Small Lady?"

"Nothin' important. Just about school and the snow and stuff. I guess it'd be like what any little kid would talk to their mother about."

- - - - -

That afternoon, I showed up for the Sailor Senshi meeting in a bright green snowsuit. Grandmother insisted that I wear it or I wouldn't be going anywhere. I grumbled to herself all the way to the Hikawa Shrine. The walk and the fact that I was wearing red overalls and a black sweater beneath it made me feel rather hot. The snow had lessened but was still coming down.

Mounting the steps was quite difficult and by the time I got to the top, I was feeling more like a clumsy two year old rather than a gracious 902 year old woman. This kid, by then, was nearing the point of tears. This made me angry so I marched across the courtyard and into the living quarters.

Kino Makoto met me at the door and gave me a sympathetic smile. "Ne, Chibi-Usa-chan, you want some help?" I nodded. The first thing to go was my boots and then my mittens. Soon afterwards, I was out of the snowsuit and feeling much better.

"Would you burn that please, Mako-chan?" I asked her sarcastically.

She laughed and shook her head. "It's perfectly fine."

"You wear it then," I huffed which drew another laugh from the tall Senshi. "Are the others here yet?"

"Hai, and the Four Sisters too."

"Oh..." I hadn't thought about that.

"How's Momoko?"

"Much better, Mako-chan," I said with a smile. "Uh..." Sitting down, I pulled off my damp socks. I wriggled my toes at the freedom. Makoto handed me a pair of guest slippers but I didn't put them on. "I'll wear 'em if my feet get cold but they've been cooped up too long in those baka boots." 'I get sick once and Obaa-san goes nuts.' Before she could say anything, I got up and walked down the hall to join the others.

While I had been expecting the Four Sisters and the other Sailor Senshi, I had not been expecting my father. I stopped in the doorway and blinked.

"Where are your socks?" Usagi who was with him asked me. The teen had a slight frown on her face.

"Konnichiwa Chibi-Usa-chan," Mamoru greeted.

"Papa!" I declared before I could stop myself. Sprinting forward, I jumped into his arms and hugged him around the neck. He quickly sat down with me in his lap.

"I said where are your socks, young lady?"

Pretending I hadn't heard her, I raised the cover that was draped over the low table and put my feet under it. Inside was nice and warm because of the small heater attached to the table. "Nice!" I commented.

"Hai," Mamoru replied and gave me a hug.

"I'd be careful if I were you, Mamo-chan," Usagi warned.

"Why?"

"My socks were wet, ONEE-CHAN," I remarked, hoping to change the subject.

"Oh..." Usagi said, "Well, I hope you hung them up."

"I did, Usagi-chan," Makoto interjected, "And she has slippers."

"Now that we're here, minna," Rei began, "Can we get down to business?"

"Don't be so crabby, Rei-chan," Usagi remarked.

"Unlike some of us," the shrine maiden snapped staring at Usagi, "I want to finish my homework before midnight."

"Fight later, you two," I suggested which caused the others to laugh, "We need to talk about Crystal Tokyo." There was suddenly silence.

"What's it like, Chibi-Usa-chan?" Ami asked me after a moment. I considered for a moment.

"Crystal Tokyo is very large."

- - - - -

I stretched and shifted slightly. "I was careful about what I told 'em, Diana. I had to be. I tried to outline the main routes and briefly told them about the shield 'n' stuff. I didn't tell them how it was powered though. I think that would've unnerved them."

"I can see that," Diana agreed, "Ne, Small Lady, did you give them any background?"

"As little as I had to," I replied to my Lunar kitten, "Mama and the others were interested in their futures but that wasn't for me to tell 'em and there was stuff I didn't know or remember either. I remembered the stuff Puu taught me." Luckily, the Sisters had kept quiet.

- - - - -

"So there was you four," Minako said to the sisters, "And then Rubeus... Anybody else?"

"Well Esmeraudo," Cooan replied, "I'm surprised she came here."

"That worries me, Cooan," Petz piped in, "She wasn't one to get her hands dirty if she could help it. Someone else must be making those dark crystals."

"Saffir-sama," another sister offered. I saw Petz stiffen a little and then after a moment nod. I felt sad in a way and snuggled back against Mamoru who hugged me again. If Prince Saffir was willingly helping...

"Ne, what about Wiseman?" Petz suggested.

Beruche looked doubtful. "He's just Diamondo's lackey, Onee-chan."

"Who's this 'Diamondo' guy?" Minako asked.

"Probably looks like Makoto's old boyfriend," Rei muttered. This struck the others as funny, although I didn't get the joke. Makoto didn't seem all that impressed by it either.

"Minako-chan," I trudged on, "Diamondo's the Crown Prince who heads the Black Moon Family."

"Only a prince, ne?" Minako asked.

"He needs to wed to become king."

"Honto?" Her blue eyes went wide. "I bet he's a hunk. Any suitors?"

"Mama and Papa were gonna marry him off to me but..." Usagi started to choke on her tea. I could sense Mamoru stiffen. 'Maybe I shouldn't have told them that.' I wasn't about to tell them that wasn't the first such betrothal I endured in nine centuries.

"You know, arranged marriages and all," Petz continued for me, "Besides, minna-san, circumstances are different in Crystal Tokyo than they are here in the past."

"So what prevented it?" Minako asked. For a minute, she looked like she wanted to date him.

"The slime bag was after Mama." This time tea came out Usagi's nose.

Once that was cleaned up, I declared, "Minna, we need to leave soon. Tomorrow at the latest."

"How can we, Chibi-Usa? That psycho bitch Esmeraudo is still kicking around," Rei pointed out. "We can't leave Tokyo undefended."

"The Outers can help," I quipped with annoyance.

"Outers?" Ami asked. The others were looking puzzled.

'Oh Kami-sama!' "Never mind... Look, we need to go. To save Mama. To strike at them before they attack us!"

"I think we should wait, minna," Usagi suggested, "I don't like leaving Tokyo in danger."

"And how would we get there, Chibi-Usa-chan?" Minako wondered. "I mean we can teleport and stuff but I don't think we can time travel."

"We can, if we use this," I countered and produced my Time Key. "We must go and soon."

- - - - -

"And did you?"

"Iie," I answered with mild disgust, "My parents said that they should stay and the others weren't real eager to go either. There wasn't much I could've done against that."

"So when did you go, Small Lady?" Diana asked me.

- - - - -

My first thought was to tackle Usagi but I eventually realized that the blonde was determined to guard twentieth century Tokyo. Makoto wasn't even on my list; she'd follow Usagi. If Minako had been the leader from the start, I might have been able to convince her. However, she was rather flighty at this age and was hardly ever taken seriously by the others in such matters. Rei would be a hard sell. She'd want solid proof that the Black Moon Family wouldn't attack. Proof that I could not provide.

Therefore, I decided to tackle Ami and Mamoru. I took Mizuno Ami on first. With the Senshi of Mercury, it needed to be logical and I spent most of one school day planning what I would say to her. When the class became too distracting, I'd do something to get sent into the hall for some peace and quiet.

It took more than two days to convince Ami that my plan to travel into the future was sound. It was frustrating at times and I hate to admit it but I vented that frustration at home. My mother and grandparents chalked it up to difficult schoolwork. Yeah right.

Eventually, after picking my plan apart, Ami agreed. One weakness of the diminutive teen is that she can be too scientific. My mistake was presenting a rather straightforward and well thought out plan. That had put her off. She was expecting something complex.

My plan, as the others discovered, was simple. Sailor Moon, with the Ginzuishou, comes back. The other Sailor Senshi come along to guard her. Once in the future, we awaken Mother. As soon as Neo-Queen Serenity is free of her crystal stasis, the Senshi will return to the past. Simple, too simple. Of course, that's why Mercury thought it wouldn't work.

Anyway, once she was convinced, I tackled Father. Now Mamoru is very smart. On a par with Ami I'd say, but I am biased. Anyway, my logic wouldn't work on him but for a different reason. Simply, he didn't want to put Usagi into danger. To him, Neo-Queen Serenity was a separate and very distant person. I think too that the dream had something to do with his reluctance. It became clear that logic alone wouldn't work.

Adult logic having failed me, I fell back on my appearance as a cute little girl. This princess perfected the art of being a pest. You know how kids ask, "Are we there yet"? Instead, I asked, "Can we go to the future?" every time I saw him. It was getting to the point where he even phoned Grandmother about me.

In an effort to save his sanity, he finally capitulated. With Ami and Mamoru on my side, it was a simple matter to convince the others. I let the "older" people do that for me.

Of course returning to the future had one downside -- I wouldn't be seeing my grandparents, my uncle, or Momoko ever again.

- - - - -

I said good-bye to Momoko on a warm and sunny Friday. The Sailor Senshi and I had decided that a hot springs trip over the weekend would be best. We'd be leaving after school on Saturday.

"Whatsa matter, Chibi-Usa-chan?" Momoko asked me as we walked to her house after school.

"Momo-chan," I began. I could feel my throat tighten and I was afraid I was going to start to cry. "I gotta go home."

The little girl seemed confused. "Nani? But Tsukino-san said it was okay to come to my place. Are ya feelin' sick?" She looked at me in concern.

Shaking my head slightly, I gave her a weak smile. "Iie," I replied, "My mama phoned last night." I took a deep breath and then continued softly, "She said I had a long enough visit and it was time to come home." My conscience winced at the massive fib.

"Oh..." Momoko seemed a little bewildered.

We walked on in silence for several minutes. "I got you something." My friend stopped so I did and she regarded me. I could see she was unhappy after hearing I was going to be leaving. Tacking off my backpack, I rooted through it and came up with the gift bag. "Umm... Onee-chan helped me pick it out."

"Arigato, Chibi-Usa-chan," she said after looking into the bag and hugging me. She sniffled. "Wanna stay overnight?"

I had my doubts that Grandmother would permit it seeing that tomorrow was a school day but she seemed agreeable when Momoko's parents said that it was fine. Usagi was dispatched after supper with some overnight things for me. I would've been happy to let Momoko lead our activities but she seemed happy to let me keep my role. Of course, I was careful to NOT be on my best behavior. After all, that had always been a sore point with my friends and I. We talked until we were exhausted and had to go to bed. As I lay there, Momoko hugged me and I thought how much I would miss the little girl.

- - - - -

"That's so sad!" Diana declared

"Hai, it was sad. It's gonna be extra hard for me to leave the next time." Pausing, I sat up and glanced at the clock. "Uh... I need a drink, Diana." I wandered down the stairs and along the hall. Mother was sitting in her room reading something, probably a manga. Tapping on the door, I stepped inside. "'Nee-chan."

"Oh Usagi," the teen said, "I hope you're packed for tomorrow."

"I don't see why I havta go," I grumbled.

"You wanna be an adult, ne Usagi?"

"All... kids do." My retort lost its strength. Retreating, I walked down the hall. 'Mama no baka! It's nice being an adult.' Being a kid had meant I was defenseless. That's one of the reasons that I had wanted to go back to Crystal Tokyo.

- - - - -

We gathered at the dock in the park where I had arrived. As I watched, the Sailor Senshi transformed one by one. And then, Tuxedo Kamen transformed. I hoped my eyes did not show that I had been crying. Leaving Momoko and the others had been difficult.

"Are you ready, Chibi-Usa-chan?" Papa asked me.

"Hai!" I replied, hoping my voice sounded strong and determined. Drawing forth the magical item that hung around my neck, I concentrated for a moment. 'Good-bye past,' I thought. Lifting the tiny key over my head, I called out, invoking its power, asking that the heavens split and give us access to the Gate of Time. Hope and happiness started to course through me as the power seemed to work. We rose up, surrounded by a column of energy, and then in a blink of an eye were transported to a place of timelessness. A misty voice that held the gate and its eternal keeper.

Somehow, we had become separated and it was only by sheer luck that I stopped Pluto from hurting Sailor Moon. The Guardian of Time was not happy that I had brought the Senshi of the Past forward. I feared for a moment she would strike me but instead, she placed a hand on my head and knelt down.

"Puu?" I asked her.

"Go now, Small Lady. Take them to Crystal Tokyo. Hold hands and stick close for the winds of time are strong." I nodded and took Mother's hand and then for good measure took Father's as well.

As the other Senshi gathered around us, Sailor Pluto opened the massive doors that served as the Gate of Time. As we stepped into the timestream and worked our way towards a glimmering point that was Crystal Tokyo, I initially thought that Sailor Pluto had vastly understated the strength of the winds.

My fear must have been apparent for my parents held a quick and silent conversation before Tuxedo Kamen pulled me close and wrapped his cape about us. I blushed a little, feeling silly for having shown fear but even the strongest of us was looking a little worried.

How do you measure time in a place where time is a place rather than a measure? I don't know and won't try. The trip though was long but eventually we emerged and my heart sank. Crystal Tokyo was devastated, far more than what my dreams had been like. Wrapping my arms around Tuxedo Kamen's neck and hiding my face, I cried.

- - - - -

"Nani? Why did you stop?" Diana protested.

"Uh... Well..." I suddenly wished someone would show up and tell me to get to bed. After a long, pleading look at the stairwell to my attic bedroom, I turned back. "Ya see, Diana-chan... I got big."

"Got big?" Diana puzzled.

"Hai," I affirmed.

- - - - -

My lament didn't last long though. With a ripping sound that seemed far louder than it should have been, my clothes fell away as I suddenly gained mass. Tuxedo Kamen let go of me and for an instant, I was exposed to the world. My short arms and legs elongated. My feet exploded out of my shoes. Stubby fingers became slim and soft. My bum rounded and tummy firmed; my chest enlarged. My pink pigtails headed to my knees. I was now taller than all of them save Father. My mind rejoiced. My womanly curves had returned!

My celebration, however, was short-lived. "EEP!" I squealed when I suddenly realized that I was standing in my birthday suit. Covering my bosom and below, I turned away from my father who appeared rather shocked. Of course, I then realized that I was effectively mooning my own father and turned a little more.

Luckily for me, Sailor Jupiter came to my rescue and stood in front of me. Father turned red while staring up at the sky. Mother was just staring mouth agape at me as if I'd just grown a second head.

"Well, that was unexpected," Mars commented into the silence.

"Ne, are they real?" Sailor Venus squeaked and poked my chest.

"Mina! Cut that out!" I shouted while batting the blonde's hand away. By this point, I was blushing from head to toe.

"Fascinating..." Mercury remarked and began typing furiously away on her minicomputer. "Could you do that again?"

"Kami-sama!" Jupiter muttered, "What are we gonna do now?"

"She's gonna get dressed is what's she's gonna do!" Sailor Moon announced. She scooped up the tattered remnants of my elementary school uniform and shoved them towards me. "Come on."

"Sailor Moon..." Venus began.

"This has to be a trick of the enemy!" Sailor Moon ranted. "Now get dressed, Chi... Chi... Usagi!" she ordered me sternly.

'I get it, Mama!' I quickly inspected the tattered rags in my hands. 'Um... Maybe I could make a bikini or something...' It would be sufficient to hide my modesty until I got to the Palace.

"Perhaps these will help, minna." We turned at the voice and found Sailor Pluto walking towards us carrying a neat pile of clothing. "I'm pleased to see you're back to normal, Your Highness."

"NORMAL?!" Sailor Moon exclaimed, "This is majorly NOT NORMAL!"

At this point, I think I heard Father mutter something about a stiff cup of tea or slug of saké; I wasn't sure which.

"Normal?" Mars chimed in.

"I did say I was really a grownup," I offered sheepishly before reaching for the clothing Pluto had brought.

End of Chapter 14

Coming next in Chapter 15 - Discovering Who I Am