Chapter 29

Saturday found Mamoru at the hospital for his internship. He stayed pretty busy for most of it. He also talked to Dr. Mizuno about extending his internship over the summer. She was pretty helpful, and offered to put in a request for the extension. As he was finishing up his lunch he got a picture from Usagi.

It was a picture of ChibiUsa, sitting in a chair with white stuff all over her face, and two red straws sticking out of it. He guessed they were making masks next. Later in the evening he got pictures of ChibiUsa, and Hotaru playing games, doing art, and making cookies with Ikuko. He was glad the girls were having so much fun. Before he went to bed, he got one more text from Usagi.

Can you help me with a paper I have write, after the race tomorrow please?

Sure. Do you want to work on it here?

That works. Thank you Mamo. I love you.

I love you too.

Sunday morning, Mokoti and Mamoru met the girls at the shrine at 9:00 to take the bus for the race. Just like the previous time they went to the races, the girls swarmed Motoki then they were off. Haruka placed second in all of her races. Mamoru and Usagi split off from the girls to head to his apartment.

Mamoru and Usagi had been working on her paper for about an hour and half when there was a frantic knock at his door. Confused, he went to answer the door. ChibiUsa stood there looking very excited.

"MAMO! I am so sorry to burst in, but I HAD to see you and Usagi right away." ChibiUsa squealed as she pushed past him, and ran to Usagi.

"Hi ChibiUsa. What is it?" Usagi asked as ChibiUsa dropped into her lap.

Mamoru closed his door, feeling like a hurricane just blew past him. He was used to it from Usagi, but this level of excitement from ChibiUsa was new.

"LOOK. LOOK. LOOK." ChibiUsa squealed excitedly, shaking something in her hand.

"What is it ChibiUsa?" Mamoru asked, trying to see what she was holding.

"It's a letter from mama! Luna P just brought it to me. I wanted to read it with you and Usagi, but I didn't want to wait. Can you read it please, Mamo. Please. Please. Please."

"Ok. Hand it over." Mamoru chuckled, and took the letter.

He noticed the handwriting on the front was pretty much the same as Usagi's now. He pulled the letter out, and began to read.

Dear Small Lady,

Your papa and I were very happy to receive you're letter. I'm very sorry we didn't think to try sending one before now. We should have checked on that. Your papa and I miss you very much. Life isn't the same without you here.

First, your papa and I want you to know that we are not, and would never try to replace you. There is no replacing our Small Lady in our lives or in our hearts. You're papa and I do want to have more babies, but we would in no way be replacing you or loving you any less. Love cannot be divided, only multiplied. Even you will find more love with brothers or sisters. I am so sorry that we made you think we would or even could replace you.

Second, yes I still have problems with my thyroid, and need to eat twice as much as normal people. I need to double my daily calories. This is something I will always have. It doesn't go away, and there is no cure.

I need to address the rest of your letter. Small Lady, you're papa and I are very disappointed in your behavior. You were raised better than to behave like that. If you were angry, upset, or hurt, you should have come to us before you left to discuss it. Taking your anger and hurt out on someone else is not fair to them. Especially to the extreme of hitting them. It's no wonder you were punished, and almost sent home. I can say that I am surprised Pluto said nothing to us. I can only guess that she was asked not to, and that the others wanted a chance to correct your behavior. So you know, they have permission to discipline you as needed.

I feel the need to remind you of why you are there, as well as other things you need to remember. You are to train as a senshi with those who are closer to your level of ability. The inner senshi in that time are still growing, and learning. It is better, and safer for you to learn with them. Their attacks are not nearly as strong as the inner senshi here. It is safer for you to learn there.

You are also what there to learn what life is like not being a princess. What everyday people experience, just as your papa and I did. This will give you better understanding of what the people truly need, as apposed to what those that govern them, and report to us, want. It will also give you a clearer understanding of why everyday people need those things. Along with that it will give you empathy, compassion, and respect for those you will some day rule. You will find it easier to live life with the freedom of an everyday person, an ordinary person. Freedoms you do not have as a princess. Consider what it is like to go to an art center here, vs. how it is there. Enjoy the freedom while you can. Those experiences will also make you stronger, and more independent.

Remember this also means that you do not have the power or control as you do here. The senshi do not answer to you there as they do here. Yes they will protect you from outside threats, as they would anyone, but they are not bonded to you. Usagi is the one they are bonded to. She is the one they protect, and obey. She is their only princess in that time. And yes, I am aware that Haruka was scary back then. We all love her for it no matter what.

I am glad that you are enjoying getting to know my past self, and seeing what I was like before I was a queen, or your mama. I am still much the same, but with more responsibilities. Past me can teach you a great deal, so listenn well, and follow her examples as best you can. You will be a better person, a better princess for it.

Papa and I love you very much Small Lady. We miss you dearly. We look forward to hearing from you again, and the day you come home.

Love,

Mama and papa

P.S. Tell Usagi to put a bunny on Mamo's chair every chance she gets. She'll love the reaction. Just make sure no one tells him I told her to do it.

Mamoru looked up from the letter to see tears streaming down ChibiUsa's face, Usagi holding her tight with a sly grin on her face.

"Don't even think about it." Mamoru told Usagi sternly.

"Me? Would I do something like that?" Usagi asked innocently.

"Yes." Mamoru and ChibiUsa said at the same time.

"ChibiUsa, you're supposed to be on my side." Usagi said with a pout.

"I am, but I can also agree you would do something like that." ChibiUsa said with a giggle.

"So, ChibiUsa. What do you think of your letter? Did it help?" Usagi asked.

"Yes it did. I'm glad you suggested it. Thank you." ChibiUsa answered.

"Do you want to write back?" Usagi asked.

"Not right now. I want to have lots of stuff to write to mama and papa about first."

"Ok. Well I have to get back to my paper now. I have a sketchbook, and colored pencils in my bag, if you want to draw."

"That's ok. You two are busy. I just wanted to share my letter. I'll go home now." ChibiUsa said as she got off Usagi's lap, and headed to the door.

"No. ChibiUsa, stay. Don't go walking back home, alone. You draw for awhile, and I'll back us dinner when Usagi is done. Ok?" Mamoru stated.

"Are you sure?" ChibiUsa asked.

"Very."

"Ok. Thank you." ChibiUsa got the sketchbook, and colored pencils out to draw as Usagi called her parents to let them know ChibiUsa was there.

ChibiUsa was flipping through the sketchbook when she stopped at on page to look at it. She seemed to examine it very closely before speaking up.

"Usagi, did you draw this?" ChibiUsa asked, holding up the picture.

It was a picture of three hands stacked on top of each other. The bottom hand was the largest and obviously male. The middle one was smaller and definitely female. The top hand was clearly a child's hand. There were roses in bloom, and petals surrounding the hands. It was all in black and white.

"Huh? Oh. Yeah I did." Usagi answered when she looked up.

"Uh. Who's hands are they?" ChibiUsa asked.

"Yours, Mamo's, and mine." Usagi stated.

Mamoru noticed it was dated right after ChibiUsa left the first time.

"Ummm. Is it done?" ChibiUsa asked.

"Yes."

"Can I….uh….can I have this to frame and hang in my room please?" ChibiUsa asked hesitantly.

"Sure you can. It's not very good, but it's yours if you want it."

"Not very good? Usagi, it's perfect, and so pretty."

"Uh. Thank you." Usagi blushed, and got back to work.

Mamoru got up, went to his study, and found a nice redwood frame for the picture. He helped ChibiUsa carefully remove the picture, and put it in the frame. While Usagi worked on her paper, Mamoru, and ChibiUsa looked thru Usagi's sketches.

There were a few of Luna doing different things. His favorite was of Luna and Artemis curled up sleeping together. There were different flowers. Usagi did a great job of capturing the stargazer lily he got her a few weeks ago. His personal favorite was one of a white domino mask laying across the moon stick. Both sitting on top of a black top hat with tall boots standing next to it. There were a few of trees, leaves, even some anime pictures. They came across few sketches that were started, but never completed. He was very impressed. He thought if Usagi wanted to be an artist, she would do very well.

"These are really good." ChibiUsa whispered to him.

"Yes they are" Mamoru agreed.

"Have you ever seen these before."

"No. She has never shown me this book."

"I wonder why."

"Because that's kind of like my journal. I draw depending on my mood. Every picture depicts my mood at the time. The unfinished ones are the ones that I didn't know what I was feeling." Usagi answered without looking up from her paper.

"What were you feeling when you drew the hands?" ChibiUsa asked.

"Loss, but also letting go, and connection. I felt as though I had lost you, ChibiUsa, but I knew I had to let you go, and that we would always be connected." Usagi stated.

ChibiUsa nodded, climbed off Mamoru's lap, found a blank page in the sketchbook, and began to draw. Mamoru moved back to sit next to Usagi to help her on her paper if she needed it. They spent several hours like that.

After dinner Mamoru walked the girls home. They were all quiet on the walk, but if was a comfortable quiet. When they got to the house, ChibiUsa went to run in the house without saying a word to him.

"Don't I get a hug goodbye, ChibiUsa?" Mamoru asked.

"Yes. I'll be right back. I have to get something." ChibiUsa answered.

She was only gone for minute when she came back with two gift bags. She handed one to Usagi then turned back to him. Usagi giggled then both girls handed him the bags. The first thing he noticed was they were heavy. Each bag contained the pottery piece the girls made at their art class, and each had a little paper inside.

ChibiUsa's lopsided mug was all pink with red hearts all over it. The card simply said Love ChibiUsa. Usagi's lopsided bowl with purple with pink stripes and a white bunny head painted in the center. The card said to hold all of your extra, love Usagi. He loved both pieces, and planned to display them on his entertainment center. He hugged ChibiUsa tight.

"It's perfect ChibiUsa. Thank you." Mamoru said to her.

"You're welcome." ChibiUsa said with a smile the skipped in the house.

He stood, and looked at Usagi who had a huge grin on her face. He pulled her tight to him and crashed his lips to hers. He deepened the kiss immediately, sweeping his tongue into her mouth as soon as she gasped. She dug her fingers into his hair, and pulled at it gently. He groaned at the feel of her breasts smashed against his chest, and her pelvis pressed tight to him. He couldn't get enough, but he knew he had to pull back. When he finally did, they were both breathing hard, and Usagi was had a dazed look in her eyes. He pressed his forehead against hers, and stared into her eyes.

"Thank you Usako. I love it." Mamoru said quietly.

"You're welcome. I'm glad you do." Usagi said just as quietly.

"I love you Usako." He said and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips.

"I love you Mamo. And thank you." Usagi said and kissed him.

"For what?"

"For fixing my relationships with Luna, Rei, and ChibiUsa. I don't know how you did it, but you did. All three relationships are better and stronger than ever. Thank you."

"I just wanted you to have what you deserve in all things."

"I know. That's one of the things I love about you. You always look out for me."

"That's my job."

"And it's mine too. I love you. Good night."

"I love you. Good night."

Usagi slowly pulled away. He watched as she walked in the house, and shut the door. He walked home, excited to display his new art pieces. Before Usako his apartment was dull, colorless, boring, empty, and lifeless, just like his life. Now both were filling up with color, life, and love. He wanted to make sure she always had the same. Dealing with the relationships between Usagi, Rei, Luna, and ChibiUsa weren't easy, but seeing the light completely back in Usagi's eyes, made it all worth it. He would do anything to ensure it always stayed there.