Chapter 23

Since Mamoru was off of his internship Thursday, and Friday, he met the girls at the Fruit Parlor, for their daily stop. On Thursday, everything seemed fine, even though ChibiUsa seemed a little more quiet and withdrawn than usual.

Friday ChibiUsa seemed to be in a bad mood. He caught her stealing Usagi's milkshake. He waited to see if she was going to pull the same prank with the whip cream, but she didn't. She got one pull from it, before Rei realized what happened, took it from her, and gave it back to Usagi. ChibiUsa glared at Rei, but didn't steal it again. She also would not let him near Usagi. When he walked them home, ChibiUsa walked right between them, and grabbed his hand when he went to hold Usagi's. She even got angry, and yelled when he went to give Usagi a kiss. He didn't know what happened, but he was concerned.

He hoped things would get better when they were at their art class on Saturday. He wouldn't be there because of his internship so he wouldn't be able to monitor things. He guessed it went well because Usagi sent him pictures of their painted pottery. She said they needed to be fired again, and glazed. They could pick them up at their next art class. ChibiUsa looked happy in the pictures.

He would find out on Sunday though. He was meeting all of the girls, ChibiUsa included, at the shrine, for a study session. Ami, Minako, Makoto, and Usagi had a big math exam in the coming week. Mamoru was going to do his own studying, and help Usagi, if she needed it. Even though Rei went to a different school, and ChibiUsa was so much younger, they were always included in major study sessions so they could all help each other.

Sunday morning, around 11:00 when he was walking into the shrine. He had just taken off his shoes when he heard ChibiUsa yelling. What he heard made his blood boil.

"YOU STUPID, LAZY USAGI! YOU DID IT ON PURPOSE! YOU LEFT ME BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T WANT ME TO COME!" ChibiUsa yelled.

"I DIDN'T LEAVE YOU CHIBIUSA! I WAS IN THE BATHROOM. I CALLED OUT TO YOU THREE TIMES, BUT YOU DIDN'T HEAR ME, AND LEFT." Usagi yelled back.

"YOU'RE SUCH A LIAR! I KNOW YOU DID IT ON PURPOSE!"

"CHIBIUSA I DID NOT LEAVE YOU BEHIND! YOU EVEN GOT HERE BEFORE ME! THAT SHOULD TELL YOU I WAS STILL AT HOME WHEN YOU LEFT!"

"NO! YOU'RE LATE, LIKE ALWAYS BECAUSE YOU STOPPED TO BUY MANGA, YOU DUMB, LAZY, LIAR!"

Mamoru heard Makoto, and Rei trying to calm Usagi, and get ChibiUsa to stop, and listen.

"THAT'S ENOUGH CHIBIUSA! IF YOU CALL USAGI ONE MORE NAME YOU'RE GOING INTO TIME OUT!" Makoto yelled.

"NO I'M NOT! YOU CAN'T PUNISH ME! STOP STICKING UP FOR STUPID USAGI!" ChibiUsa screamed.

"THAT'S ENOUGH CHIBIUSA! USAGI DID NOT LEAVE WITHOUT YOU!" Rei yelled.

"YES SHE DID! WHY ARE YOU EVEN STICKING UP FOR HER! YOU HATE HER AS MUCH AS I DO!" ChibiUaa screamed.

Mamoru slammed the door open to see Makoto's hand on ChibiUsa's arm, pulling her towards the door. Rei standing over top of her looking angry. While Ami, and Minako stood in front of Usagi as if to protect her. He was glad to see the senshi doing their job, and as they had been asked to.

"GET OFF ME MAKOTO! YOU SHOULD BE PUNISHING HER FOR LIEING! NOT ME! I HATE HER! I HATE HER! I HATE HER!" ChibiUsa screamed.

"ENOUGH CHIBIUSA!" Mamoru roared. Surprising everyone.

ChibiUsa immediately turned on the crocodile tears, and looked at him sadly.

"She left me behind." ChibiUsa whined.

"I heard everything ChibiUsa. You were warned about speaking to Usagi like that. Let's go." Mamoru said sternly, took her arm from Makoto, and pulled her into an empty prayer room. "Nose against the wall, hands behind your back."

"You can't punish me! You're not my papa!" ChibiUsa snapped.

"Papa Kenji gave me permission to punish you, remember. Now move it. While you're there you can think about what you've done, and figure out a way to make it right." Mamoru stated.

ChibiUsa sniffed at him, but did as she was told. He set his timer for nine minutes, and waited. He didn't know what happened. Things had been going so well. He was really disapppointed.

When his timer went off, ChibiUsa turned at looked at him. He kneeled down, and looked her in the eyes.

"Now. You want to tell me what's going on, calmly?" Mamoru asked.

"Well stup….." ChibiUsa started, but her stopped her by putting his fingers on her lips.

"Think before you speak ChibiUsa. Otherwise, you will go right back in time out then home." Mamoru stated firmly. "Now start again."

"Usagi left to come here without me." ChibiUsa said.

"And how do you know that?"

"Because when I called out to her three times at home, she never answered."

"Did you see her shoes, and her bag by the door before you left?"

"I don't remember."

"Did you get here before she did?"

"Yes, but that's because I know she stopped….."

"Stop. Do you know or do you assume she stopped?"

"I don't know."

"Did you ASK her before you started yelling and calling her names?"

"Well no, but…."

"No buts, ChibiUsa. You assumed, and you accused before you knew."

"She has manga in her bag, like always."

"You're right, she does. Do you know why Usagi always has manga in her school bag?"

"Because she would rather do that than study."

"Wrong. If you look at it, you will see it is in English. The manga in Usagi's bag is actually her English study guide. Ami and I found out that Usagi learns better from pictures, video, and art. Usagi had a lot of trouble with English, until we learned that. One thing we found that helps her, is manga. It's a specially made manga for students who learn like she does, with pictures. She also learns math and science better with art. That's why she usually draws when she does her homework."

"Oh."

"Yeah. I need to ask you, what else is going on? I saw you on Friday, at the Fruit Parlor with Usako's milkshake. You looked mad again. Like you used to. What happened?"

"I tried to talk to Usagi on Wednesday, when I got home. Like you told me. I was sitting in her room. She had taped the picture I drew her to the bottom of the frame of the other one. She took out a coloring book, crayons, let me pick a picture, and we started coloring together. Like my mama and I used to do. I started thinking about what I wanted to say. Then I started thinking about what happened, how I felt when mama and papa decided to send me here. I got more and more angry. I ended up storming out of her room. My picture is still sitting on her table, waiting for me to finish. She even stopped working on her picture. I'm just so mad."

"ChibiUsa, do you think that maybe, your taking your anger at your mama out on Usagi?"

"I don't know. Maybe."

"Is that fair to Usagi?"

"No."

"Right. I do understand taking anger out on people though"

"You do?"

"I do. Do you know what an orphanage it?"

"Yeah. Mama, and papa go to one every week, to spend time with the kids there."

"After my parents died, I ended up in an orphanage. I was never adopted for one reason or another. I was rejected. It made me very angry, at the whole world really. Any time I tried to take my anger out on Motoki, he would ignore me. Then I met Usagi. Here was this bubbly, happy, loving, beautiful person, and she made the perfect target. I took my anger out on her, for months. She fought back. She later told me she did it because I looked like I needed someone to fight with. So she did, when what she was really doing was fighting for me. She knew I needed to work through the anger so she let me. With her."

"Really?"

"Yup. We fought every day for months. I was the baka, and she was odango atama. During that time, I slowly fell in love with her, until one day I realized she didn't deserve what I was doing to her. That's when I found out she was in love with me too. She eventually told me that she knew what I had been doing when we fought. She knew, and she understood, but she felt like that I needed to be shown, that no matter what, one person would always be there for me to fight with, and to fight for me. That's one of the many things I love about Usagi. She never gives up on people. That is also why she doesn't deserve to have people take their anger out on her. I understand you're angry ChibiUsa, but while she is your mom in the future, she is not right now. Right now, she is your friend, she is the person trying to teach you about life, and she is some one who loves you, very much. You need to remember that when you're angry. Ok?"

"OK. Thank you Mamo."

"You're welcome. Now are you ready to apologize, and listen to Usagi's side of what happened today?"

"Yes."

Mamoru lead ChibiUsa back into the study room. Makoto, and Rei jumped up immediately, looking angry. Ami and Minako moved closer to Usagi. Usagi looked to be crying. Mamoru put his hand up to stop the girls.

"Did I do that? Make her cry?" ChibiUsa whispered to him. Mamoru just nodded. ChibiUsa suddenly looked very guilty.

ChibiUsa walked over to the table, and slid into the spot across from Usagi. The girls watched her very closely. Waiting to jump in if needed.

"Usagi….Usagi…I…I'm really sorry. I'm really sorry I yelled at you, called you names, and wouldn't listen to you when you tried to tell me what happened today. I was wrong. I am so sorry." ChibiUsa said softly.

"It's ok ChibiUsa." Usagi responded, but wouldn't look up.

"No. It's not. It's not ok for me to say those things. It's not ok for me to yell at you like that. It's not ok for me to do all of the bad and mean things I've done to you. You've been nothing, but nice to me. You've done so much for me. You don't deserve what I've done. No matter what I've done you've still loved me, and I…well….I have been so angry about other things that, kind of have to do with you, but not really, that I took it out on you. I'm so sorry. You don't deserve it. You love me, when you should hate me. I'm so so sorry."

"ChibiUsa, I don't hate you. I could never hate you. I just hate when you hurt me. I don't know what I've done to deserve it. I don't understand. Can you tell me, please?" Usagi finally looked at ChibiUsa, she had tears streaming down her face. ChibiUsa looked up at Mamoru, and he nodded to her.

"Present you hasn't done anything to me, but be nice, and love me. It's future you, my mama, that I convinced myself, did something wrong to me. When maybe she really hasn't. I've made you pay for my anger at her because well, you are her, but kind of not. I think that makes sense. It can be confusing to me sometimes too." ChibiUsa said.

"What did she do?" Usagi asked.

"She sent me here."

"Why would that make you angry?"

"Please remember that the first time I came here my mama had been sleeping for a long time. Or at least a long time to me. I was so happy when I got home because she was awake, and I thought we had the rest of our lives together. Then one night I heard her and papa talking about having another baby. I was excited because I had been asking for a brother or sister since I got home. The day after I heard them talking, mama told me they wanted to send me back here. They said for training. To me, it sounded like they were planning to replace me with a new baby. Like, my punishment for what happened with the Black Moon Clan, was to be sent away, and replaced. I stopped listening to what they were saying after they told me they were sending me here because I was so mad, and hurt. I knew what I did was wrong with the Silver Crystal, but I thought I had been forgiven.

"I also didn't understand why I had to be sent here for training when the senshi there, and mama could train me. It didn't make sense to me. I took it as they meant I wasn't good enough, and weaker senshi were all I was allowed to train with. Sorry everybody, but you're a lot stronger in the future. By the time I got here, I was so mad, and I made the choice to hurt you as my mama was hurting me. It was her idea to send me here. I knew mean names hurt so I used those. I took your milkshakes because I knew it would make you mad, and hurt your feelings. I didn't know it would make you sick. I lied to get you in trouble because I knew you didn't like to be in trouble, and it hurt you when people yelled at you. I interrupted your dates with Mamo, or joined you on them because I knew it would hurt, and upset you. I attached myself to Mamo for the same reason. I hit you because I wanted to hurt you, but not you. I knew that everyone would side with me because I'm a kid. I used that to hurt you too. I didn't expect Haruka, and Michiru to turn their backs on me.

"See in my time, the senshi are to me like they are to you. They're protective, and don't let any one hurt me. Mama, and papa told me that they wouldn't be like that with me here. I didn't understand, or listen. I didn't really understand until Haruka almost spanked me, and when I saw everyone's faces when I hit you. I have never been afraid of a senshi, until that day. I also didn't realize or understand that in this time, I am not a princess. I am just an ordinary girl. I heard everything said that day. I didn't understand at the time, but I had that whole weekend to think about it. I was angry about it, but I kind of understood.

"Then you came home Sunday with the outfit, and coloring book. It made me miss my mama so bad. See mama always does stuff like that too. If she gets a new dress or outfit, I do, that matches. She has the tailor make us matching dresses, and outfits. Unless it's too old of a look for me, won't look right, or inappropriate. Every Sunday mama, and I color and do art together. Then there's the fairy tales. While papa tells me stories about Sailor Moon, mama reads me fairy tales, or we make them up together. I already told Mamo, but once a week mama and papa go to the local orphanage. I go too. Mama and I do art with the kids, while papa helps them study. Everything you gave me that day reminded me of mama. It made me think about how much I miss her. How much she's always done for me. It also reminded me of the things she wanted me to learn while I was here. When I left the room, I cried for how much I miss her. Then we went to the Art Center, and the zoo. We did so many things that day that made me think of all of the things she and I do together, with and without papa. It just made me miss her more. It also really showed me how much like her you are.

"On Wednesday, I decided I wanted to tell you everything. That's why I came to your room when I got home. I was sitting there coloring, trying to think of how to say what I wanted to, but instead of figuring it out, I got angry at mama all over again. I understood by then why I'm here, but I was angry again. I left your room so I wouldn't yell at you. Papa taught me that. Take some time to yourself to calm down, before you try to talk about why you're angry. I tried for days to stop being angry, but it wasn't working. Yesterday, at the Art Center, helped a bit because it reminded me of doing art with mama again, but the anger was still there. Today, when I thought you left me behind, my anger kind of boiled over. None of this is your fault, it doesn't make it right, and I really am sorry.

"Puu was right when she said I was raised better because I was. Papa would have taken a belt to me, if I had ever hit any one. It wouldn't have gotten that far because mama, and papa wouldn't let it. I used that you didn't know that to do what I wanted. I used every thing I could to be able to act how I wanted. I am so sorry.

"Oh. And don't ever let Mamo pick out clothes for you. His taste in clothes is terrible. One time he got mama this hot pink dress, that he thought mama would love. It looked awful. She looked like a ghost in a hot pink mess. She "accidentally" spilled grape juice all down the front of it. So if he offers to pick up clothes for you, say no. He really does have awful taste." ChibiUsa said.

"HEY! My taste in clothes is fine." Mamoru protested.

"GREEN JACKET!" Five female voices called out.

"What? It looks good." Mamoru stated.

"Yeah. He still has that in the future. He only wears it to irritate mama when she decides to throw hundreds of stuffed animals on his side of the bed. They're weird." ChibiUsa said with a small giggle.

ChibiUsa took a deep breath, wiped the tears that had been running down her face, and looked at Usagi.

"Anyway. Usagi, I really am sorry. I've been terrible to you. I'll understand if you want to send me home early. I want to go home because I miss my mama and papa, but I also want to stay to spend more time with you. To get to know my mama before she was queen. I want to learn, and experience what mama, and papa wanted me to. I'll try to do better. I can't promise I won't get angry, but I will try not to take it out in you. Even if it's YOU I'm angry at and not mama you, I'll try to do like papa said, and walk away until I calm down. Please give me the chance."

Usagi sat there staring at ChibiUsa, with tears rolling down her face, just looking at ChibiUsa. Until she opened her arms to the light girl. ChibiUsa ran around the table and fell into Usagi's arms.

"I'm not going to send you home early. I am sorry your mama made you angry, but I know she did not send you here to replace you. She would never want you to think that. I think she wanted you to be a well rounded, compassionate, loving, kind, respectful princess. Probably who experienced life as both a princess, and not a princess. You can't experience life not as a princess in your time, but you can here. As far as getting to know me, before I became a queen, you have been. I am honored to that you want to get to know me, as me. As long as I get to know you, as you. As far as you trying to do better, that's all I ask. Is that you try. Ok?"

"Ok. Can you tell me what happened today?"

"When I came downstairs, I realized I had to go to the bathroom so I dropped my bag at the door, and ran back upstairs. I heard you calling me, and I called back to you, but I guess you didn't hear me. I had hoped you would see my bag, by the door, but I guess you didn't. I ran out the door after you, but I didn't catch you. I actually had a klutz attack on the way here. I'm sorry you thought I left you behind."

"I'm sorry I didn't listen, and yelled at you."

"It's ok. Are we ok now?"

"Yeah."

"Good lets get to studying."

Everyone settled in, and they spent the next several hours studying. Usagi even showed ChibiUsa her manga based English study guide when she asked. ChibiUsa asked Usagi a lot of questions about her study technics. Usagi asked ChibiUsa a lot of questions about her relationship with her mama. Mamoru wasn't sure how much studying really got done, but it seemed that a lot of tension got relived.