Hi Everyone! Here is Part 2 to "Runaway." Just some notes before we get started. We left off with Tiffany in Amy's playroom beating on a mother doll and Amy and Mina realizing who might be abusing her. We are going to pick up in the future where they are now aware that Tiffany is gone.
If you or anyone you know is being abused then please tell to someone whether it's a teacher, counselor or friend. Or call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-Abuse
E-mail me with suggestions and feedback to AngelRaye2@aol.com.
Also visit my web site at http://angelrayeschibiscouts.homestead.com/angelraye.html
Captain Commando has set up a Chibi Scout message board at http://pub53.ezboard.com/bangelrayeschibiscouts. Please drop by and leave a message.
Disclaimers: I do not own Sailor Moon. With the exception of Rini I own this generation of Sailor Scouts. I also created the Elysian Scouts and the Crystal Scouts.
Runaway
Part Two
By
Angel Raye
During the time of the Crystal Chibi Scouts...
"What did you do to her," Gloria screamed at Celine. "Why did she run away?" Celine just sat there and refused to answer her mother. Gloria got angrier. "Answer me. I want to know why my granddaughter ran away."
"Gloria," Mina said in a soothing voice. "You need to calm down."
"How can I calm down," Gloria shouted angrily. "Tiffany has run away to the past. This note she left tells me how she can't stay with her mother anymore. How can I stay calm at a time like this?"
"You are not going to get Tiffany back by losing your temper," Amy told her.
"She's right," Chelsea replied. "We need to think about what we can do."
Gloria sat down. She was beside herself with anger. She glared at Celine who just sat stony faced across from her. Annika placed a calming hand on her best friend's arm.
"Someone should just go back to the past and get her," Hope pointed out.
"We can't force her to come back," Ariel pointed out. "It could only make matters worse."
"Ariel's right," Amy said. "It needs to be her choice to come back."
"So someone should go back and convince her to return," Serenity concluded.
"Then I'll go," Gloria jumped up. "I have to see her. I know I can get her to come back."
"You can't do that," Maggie told her. "You can't run the risk of running into your past self."
"Then an Elysian Scout needs to go back," Mina stated.
"But who," asked Faith.
"Not her," Gloria growled as she pointed to Celine.
"Just leave her in the past," snapped Celine.
"Over my dead body," Gloria snapped. She turned to Brooke. "Brooke could you please do it. You're her godmother and I know she trusts you."
"Me," gasped Brooke. "My husband is out of town. Who is going to take care of my children?"
"Don't worry about that Brooke," Raye assured her. "Your mother and I will be glad to take care of them while you are both gone." Annika nodded her head in agreement.
"Please Brooke," Gloria begged. "Please bring my granddaughter home."
Brooke gazed at her godmother. "Very well," she said. "I'll go and get ready."
An hour later Brooke was heading toward the Gates of Time. Raye, Annika, Mina and Gloria were with her. "Remember I'm only going to be eight years old when you go back," Annika told her. "Please don't call me mom."
"I won't Mom," Brooke laughed. She hugged Annika. "I'll be back soon."
Raye gave her a hug next. "Don't worry about Tara and Ashley," she assured Brooke. "They will be fine."
"Good luck Brooke," Mina said.
"Please give Tiffany a hug for me," Gloria pleaded.
"Don't worry," Brooke replied. "I'll bring her home." Brooke held up the time key and disappeared.
During the time of the Chibi Scouts...
Mina and Tiffany headed back to her quarters. Mina was still in shock. What kind of person was her granddaughter? And what had she done to Tiffany? Mina was sick to her stomach. She had to find out all she could.
"Mama," Tiffany shook her arm.
"Yes Sweetie," Mina replied.
"I uh..." Tiffany could not get the words out.
Mina knelt down in front of her. "What do you need Tiffany?"
"Would you hold me for a while," Tiffany whispered. Mina nodded her head. She pulled Tiffany into her arms and held the child close to her. "I will always love you Tiffany."
Uranus and Neptune sat in the security room monitoring the activity both in and out of the palace. Suddenly a red light blinked on one of the screens. "We have an intruder," Uranus reported.
"We had better go and investigate," Neptune stated. Together the two of them headed toward the area. They got to the library and saw a young woman with shoulder length lavender hair standing there. "Freeze," Uranus shouted.
The woman gasped. "Sailor Uranus, Sailor Neptune. I didn't mean to startle you."
"Who are you," Neptune demanded.
"My name is Brooke Hino," the woman replied. "I believe you met my daughter last month, Ashley Hino."
"Ashley's mother," gasped Neptune. "Then you're Annika's daughter from the future."
"Yes," Brooke replied.
"Why are you here," asked Uranus.
"First let me ask you something," Brooke demanded. "Is Tiffany here?"
"Yes she is," Neptune replied.
"Then she is why I am here," Brooke told them.
Neo-Queen Serenity and the Scouts all stared at Brooke in the conference room. Raye was trying to get used to the fact that this grown woman was Annika's future daughter and her granddaughter. It was hard to believe that her little girl was going to be a mother one-day.
"Tiffany is safe I presume," Brooke asked.
"Yes she is," Mina replied. "Are you here to take her back?"
"Yes but I have to convince her to come back," Brooke told them. "Amy and Ariel told me that forcing her back would make matters worse. She has to decide on her own."
"It won't be easy," Mina pointed out. "Tiffany has begged me to let her stay forever."
"I want to know about Tiffany's mother," Amy suddenly said.
"Celine," Brooke replied. "She's my best friend. She's very strict but that's all I know. I haven't seen her with Tiffany very much."
"I have been working with Tiffany," Amy stated. "She shows all the characteristics of an abused child."
"Impossible," gasped Brooke.
"We don't have any solid proof yet," Amy replied. "Right now it is just speculation."
"With all due respect I just find this very hard to believe," Brooke stated. "I mean Celine is a bit rough but I don't think she would be the type of person to harm her child."
"I have another appointment with her tomorrow," Amy replied. "I'll be more than happy to share my findings with you."
"If Celine is your best friend surely you would have seen something," Mina pointed out.
"Brooke is Annika's daughter," Lita reminded her. "If she takes after Annika she will see the good in everyone. That's how Annika is."
"We'll assign you some guest quarters," Serenity told Brooke. "You can stay as long as you need too."
"That won't be necessary Serenity," Raye spoke up. "Brooke can stay with us."
"You don't need to put me up Grandmother," Brooke replied. "I don't want to impose on anyone."
"You won't be imposing," Raye told her. "You're family. Just don't call me grandmother. Maybe in your time I am your grandmother but in this time your mother is still a little girl who has not had children yet."
"Thank you," Brooke murmured. "I would like to see Tiffany now."
"Could you wait a little bit," asked Mina. "She's still shook up from today's session with Amy. Let her calm down first."
"Very well," Brooke agreed. "It will give me time to get settled."
"Then let's go then," Raye stated and the meeting was adjourned.
Raye led Brooke to her quarters. She wondered how Annika was going to respond to Brooke. Raye could feel a strong connection with this woman. She wondered if Annika would too.
"Here we are," she told Brooke as she opened the door. "Annika I'm back."
"Mama," Annika flew out of her room and into Raye's arms.
"Hi Sweetheart," Raye kissed the child hello. "I would like you to meet someone." Annika wrapped her arms around her mother's waist and stared shyly at Brooke. "This is Brooke. She will be staying with us for a while."
"Mom," Brooke thought. She smiled and knelt down. "Hello Annika."
Annika did not answer. She buried her face in Raye's priestess robes. "She's very shy," Raye explained. "Annika where are your manners?"
"I know she's shy," Brooke thought. "She still is in my time."
"Annika say hello," Raye ordered firmly.
Annika turned her face toward Brooke. "Hello," she whispered.
"Nice to meet you," Brooke took Annika's small hand in hers. Annika just smiled shyly at her.
Later on Gloria and Tiffany were working on their homework when Mina came into the room. "Tiffany there is someone here who would like to see you."
"Who Mama," asked Tiffany.
"Come and find out," Mina replied. She took Tiffany's hand and led her out of the room. Filled with curiosity Gloria followed. Tiffany went into the living room and saw Brooke.
"Aunt Brooke," she gasped. She ran over and gave Brooke a hug.
"Hi Sweetie," Brooke hugged the little girl close to her. "How are you doing?"
"Okay," Tiffany whispered.
"Brooke this is my daughter Gloria," Mina pushed her daughter forward.
"Hello," Gloria said. "Are you friend of Tiffany's mom?"
"Yes I am," Brooke replied.
"Why are you here," asked Tiffany.
"I thought you and I could go for a little walk," Brooke told her. "If you would like too."
Tiffany looked over at Mina who nodded her head. Tiffany took Brooke's hand and they left together. Once they got outside they walked on silence for a few minutes. Finally Brooke led Tiffany over to a bench at sat down. Tiffany sat down next to her. "Your grandmother and great-grandmother asked me to give you a hug for them," Brooke informed Tiffany. "They both miss you."
"I miss them too," Tiffany admitted. "But here my great-grandmother is being my mama and my grandmother is my sister."
"They want me to bring you back home," Brooke told her.
"Are you going to make me come back," asked Tiffany nervously.
Brooke shook her head. "No I am not going to make you do anything," she assured her. Brooke noticed the look of relief on Tiffany's face when she said that. "However, I am here to try and talk you into coming back home."
"No," Tiffany snapped. "I am never going back. I want to stay here. Here I have a mama who loves me."
"Mina is your great-grandmother not your mama," Brooke reminded her. "You have your own mother back home."
"I don't want her to be my mother," Tiffany yelled. "She doesn't want me. I am wanted here."
"Tiffany," Brooke began but Tiffany stood up with her hands over her ears.
"I am not going back," she shouted. "And nothing you can say will make me want to go back. Now leave me alone." With that Tiffany broke into a run and dashed back to the palace. Brooke sat staring helplessly after her.
That evening Mina was getting the girls' lunches ready for the next day. Gloria and Tiffany were both taking a bath right now. Mina glanced at her watch and saw that they had been in for a while. "Asai," she called. "Would go and tell the girls to hurry up and finish?"
"Okay," Asai called and he headed for the bathroom.
Gloria and Tiffany were giggling as they had a couple of splash wars. Gloria's hair was wrapped up while Tiffany's braids were pinned up.
"So what did that lady Brooke want," asked Gloria.
"Just to talk," Tiffany replied. She suddenly grinned and cupped some water in her hand. She threw it at Gloria.
"Hey," Gloria protested. She threw some water back at her. Soon they were both giggling and throwing water on each other.
A knock at the door made them stop. "Girls," Asai's voice called. Tiffany froze in terror. "You need to finish up in here."
"But Dad we're having fun," Gloria protested.
The door opened and Asai peeked in. "Your mother said to hurry," he stated.
Without warning Tiffany began screaming in terror. She got up and tried to back away but only ended up falling. Water splashed everywhere. "Tiffany what's wrong," Gloria cried in alarm.
"It's okay Tiffany," Asai tried to assure her. He moved over closer but Tiffany only screamed louder.
Mina came flying in. "What's going on," she demanded.
"I came in to tell them to hurry up and she started screaming," Asai explained. Mina ran over and wrapped a towel around Tiffany. She pulled Tiffany into her arms. "It's okay Sweetie," she said. "I'm here. No one is going to hurt you." Tiffany sobbed and clung to Mina in terror. Mina motioned for Asai and Gloria to leave the room. When they were both gone Mina sat down with Tiffany in her arms. Quietly and calmly Mina began to work on calming the child down.
Brooke was sitting on the couch with a very bad headache. The responsibility she had right now was huge. If her conversation with Tiffany was any indication of what was going to happen Brooke was going to be here for a long time.
"Here," Raye handed her some aspirin and a glass of water. "This will help."
"Thank you," Brooke replied as she took them from Raye. "Tiffany was really stubborn and angry. She absolutely does not want to go back."
"I guess you will just have to find a way to convince her," Raye told her.
"But how," Brooke moaned. "She is dead set on staying."
Raye was about to reply when Annika climbed up onto her lap. Raye looked at her watch. "Is it that time already?"
"Yes," Annika replied as she snuggled down into her mother's arms. Raye smiled and wrapped her arms around Annika tightly.
"And what time is it," asked Brooke.
"Snuggle time," Annika replied shyly. "I like snuggling with Mama before bedtime."
Brooke smiled fondly at the little girl who would be her mother one-day. "So did I when I was your age," she informed Annika who smiled in response. Raye also smiled. Brooke in her own way was letting her know that Annika would also be a wonderful mother one-day.
It took Mina almost an hour to get Tiffany calmed down. When she tried to question her the child refused to say anything. Mina had just finished putting both girls to bed and was now waiting for Amy. She had asked Asai to contact Amy and ask her over here when she had a chance.
Finally Amy arrived. "I'm sorry," she stated. "Ariel was very unsettled tonight. I had to stay with her until she went to sleep."
"It's okay," Mina mumbled motioning for Amy to sit down. "I had my own problems here." She told Amy what happened. "According to Gloria, Tiffany was fine but as soon as Asai came in she started screaming."
"I see," Amy murmured. She thought for a minute and then said, "Bring her in tomorrow and I'll give her a physical. I need to check and see if my suspicions are correct."
"Suspicions," asked Mina as a chill went over her heart. "Do you mean...?"
"Sexual abuse," Amy replied. Mina went white. This was terrible. How she hoped this wasn't true.
The next day after school Mina took Tiffany to see Amy. She waited out in the waiting room while Amy and Hotaru examined Tiffany. Mina was dreading what Amy might say. After what seemed like an eternity Amy and Hotaru brought Tiffany out.
"Mama," Tiffany flung her arms around Mina.
"Hi Sweetie," Mina hugged the child back. "Were you good for Aunt Amy and Aunt Hotaru?"
"She was very good," Amy replied. "Tiffany I want you go with Aunt Hotaru into my office. I'll be there in a minute so that we can talk. I need to speak to Mama for a few minutes."
"Come on Tiffany," Hotaru took Tiffany's hand and led her away.
As soon as Tiffany was out of earshot Mina turned to Amy. "Well what did you find?"
"My suspicions were correct," Amy told her with a pained look in her eyes. "I found evidence of sexual abuse."
Mina broke down and began to cry. All of this was too much. What was going to happen to her family in the future? Amy placed a comforting arm around her. "I am going to talk to Tiffany right now," she gently told Mina. "Why don't you go and calm down? Take some time to let this sink in. You're going to need your strength to help Tiffany."
"Very well," Mina agreed. She left Amy's office and started back for her quarters. Halfway there she changed her mind. She turned around and headed toward Lita's quarters.
"Here," Lita handed Mina a cup of tea. "This will help relax you."
"Thank you," Mina replied and she took a sip. A box of tissues was sitting beside her.
"Try to calm down," Lita told her. "You getting all upset is not going to help matters."
"I know," Mina choked. "I just sit and think how grim my family's future looks. Who is abusing Tiffany?"
"I don't know," Lita sighed. "I look at Daisy and think about how much I love her and wonder how could someone hurt their own child? I brought that precious life into the world. All I want to do is love her and nurture her."
"The thought that someone in my family is doing this to her makes me sick to my stomach," Mina choked. "The only people I can rule out is myself and Gloria. Tiffany has told me how much she loves both of us in the future."
"Just be strong for her," Lita placed a comforting hand on Mina's arm. Mina nodded her head.
Amy motioned Mina into her office and then closed the door. Hotaru was with Tiffany so that the two women could talk. "What did you find out," asked Mina.
"I had Tiffany show me with these dolls where she has been touched and where she had to touch," Amy replied. "However she has not told me who the abuser is. From what I have been able to find out she is a victim of emotional and sexual abuse. There hasn't been too much evidence of physical yet but I am not ruling it out at this point."
"So what are we going to do," asked Mina.
"I am scheduling her for everyday now," Amy told her. "In the meantime I want you to keep an eye on her. Let me know of anything that might help us out."
"Very well," Mina agreed. "I can do that."
"There's another thing," Amy pointed out. "Gloria."
"What about her," asked Mina.
"Don't forget she needs you too," Amy replied. "Make sure you don't neglect her."
"I'll make sure I don't," Mina replied as she got up to leave.
Later on Brooke came to take Tiffany for a while to talk. Mina decided she needed to spend some time with Gloria. She went to Gloria's room and found her sitting on her bed looking at a book. "Hi Darling," Mina said as she came in.
"Hi Mom," Gloria replied without looking up from her book.
Mina sat down on the bed and took the book out of Gloria's hands, "I thought maybe we could go into town and get an ice cream."
"Really," asked Gloria as her face lit up. "Just the two of us?"
"Just the two of us," Mina replied with a smile. Gloria jumped up and grabbed her shoes and jacket. Together they left their quarters and went down to the carport. The drive over there was peaceful with Gloria telling her mother about school and Mina giving her a small lecture about how she should respect her teachers. When they got to the ice cream place Mina got a strawberry ice cream while Gloria got chocolate. Then they sat down in a booth to eat.
"Gloria," Mina said. "I do want to talk to you about something."
"Nani Mom," Gloria asked.
"You know I love you very much don't you," asked Mina.
"Yes I know," Gloria replied.
"I know I have been very busy with Tiffany lately," Mina pointed out. "But I want you to know that she will never replace you."
"Mom what is wrong with Tiffany," asked Gloria. "She's always sad and scared, she always says bad things about herself and she doesn't want to talk about her mom when I ask her."
"Honey Tiffany is a very unhappy little girl," Mina told her. "You know how some children do not have good, loving home lives?"
"Yes," Gloria replied.
"Well I don't think Tiffany has a happy home life either," Mina stated.
"Poor Tiffany," Gloria mumbled.
"I know," Mina agreed. "And I do appreciate the fact that you have been nice to her. I am very proud of you right now."
"Thank you Mom," Gloria said with a smile.
"But don't think I don't know that you mouthed off your teacher today in school," Mina said with a smiled. Gloria turned a bright pink. "She called and told how rude you were today. We will be talking about that later."
"Yes Ma'am," Gloria replied as she finished her ice cream.
Brooke walked back into the palace with another headache. She tried to talk to Tiffany and convince her to come home but once again the child ran off. "Why did I agree to this," Brooke asked herself.
"Are you all right," Serenity asked as she came up.
"I have a very bad headache right now," Brooke replied. "I don't know how I am going to convince Tiffany to come home when she is dead set against it."
"We're having a Scout meeting right before dinner tonight," Serenity informed her. "Why don't you join us? Maybe we can come up with ways to help you in your assignment."
"That would be great," Brooke replied.
Nearby Daisy and Maggie had overheard the conversation. "I wonder what is going on," asked Daisy.
"Me too," Maggie stated. "We're being left in the dark."
"I say we have a Chibi Scout meeting so that we can find something out," Daisy suggested.
"Then let's tell the other kids," Maggie stated and they went off to look for everyone.
Later on all the children were in the playroom. Their mothers were at a meeting and their fathers were still on duty. It was right before dinner and tonight everyone was eating together. Rini came in and joined them.
"So what is going on," she asked.
"Do you know what all our moms are meeting about," asked Daisy. "They're keeping a secret from us?"
"Do you think there might be anew enemy," Ariel asked. "Mommy has not been telling me much either."
"I know," Faith added. "I want to know what is going on."
"We can't snoop," Hope pointed out. "We'll get into trouble."
"But we have to find out what is going on," Madelyn whined. "Papa doesn't know anything either."
"Well the queen asked that lady Brooke to come along to the meeting," Maggie informed them.
"Why," asked Annika. Tiffany also perked up.
"It has something to do with trying to get Tiffany to come home," Daisy replied.
"No," screamed Tiffany jumping to her feet.
"Tiffany what's wrong," asked Rini in concern.
"Tiffany Mom said you could stay with us," Gloria pointed out.
"But Aunt Brooke is going to make them let her take me back," Tiffany shouted. She suddenly ran from the room.
"Tiffany," the girls called but Tiffany did not reply. She ran down the stairs and down to the conference room. She burst in without knocking. "No," she screamed.
"Tiffany," gasped Mina. "You shouldn't be here."
Tiffany did not listen. She ran up to Brooke. "I am never going home," she screamed. "If you make me go home I'll kill myself."
"Tiffany," gasped Brooke. "I know your mom is strict with you but life cannot be that bad."
"You don't know what she did when it was just the two of us," sobbed Tiffany. Brooke started to speak but Amy put a hand on her shoulder indicating to her to let Tiffany talk. "She was always telling me she did not want me and that she does not love me. She was always making me say that I am a stupid, clumsy fool who can't do anything right or that I am a worthless individual who wasn't wanted and will never mount to anything. She would slap my face for doing the littlest thing wrong. She would spank me for just being one minute late to anything. Mother was always yelling at me about everything and she always said that everything is my fault. She has never hugged me or kissed me. If I didn't have my bed made right or my room perfect she would whip me. And right before I left..." Tiffany trailed off.
"What happened before you left Tiffany," Amy asked gently. The queen and the rest of the Scouts listened intently.
"My stepbrother, Arinori," Tiffany choked as a tear rolled down her face. "He's sixteen. He came into my room and he touched me and made me touch him. I told Mother the next day and she told me that it was all my fault like everything else is. She also told me if I told Grandma or Great-grandma about it then she would give me a whipping I would never forget." She turned to Brooke who was sitting in stunned silence. "Don't you see," she asked. "I can't go home. If I do I will kill myself."
To be continued...
If you or anyone you know is being abused then please tell to someone whether it's a teacher, counselor or friend. Or call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-Abuse
E-mail me with suggestions and feedback to AngelRaye2@aol.com.
Also visit my web site at http://angelrayeschibiscouts.homestead.com/angelraye.html
Captain Commando has set up a Chibi Scout message board at http://pub53.ezboard.com/bangelrayeschibiscouts. Please drop by and leave a message.
Disclaimers: I do not own Sailor Moon. With the exception of Rini I own this generation of Sailor Scouts. I also created the Elysian Scouts and the Crystal Scouts.
Runaway
Part Two
By
Angel Raye
During the time of the Crystal Chibi Scouts...
"What did you do to her," Gloria screamed at Celine. "Why did she run away?" Celine just sat there and refused to answer her mother. Gloria got angrier. "Answer me. I want to know why my granddaughter ran away."
"Gloria," Mina said in a soothing voice. "You need to calm down."
"How can I calm down," Gloria shouted angrily. "Tiffany has run away to the past. This note she left tells me how she can't stay with her mother anymore. How can I stay calm at a time like this?"
"You are not going to get Tiffany back by losing your temper," Amy told her.
"She's right," Chelsea replied. "We need to think about what we can do."
Gloria sat down. She was beside herself with anger. She glared at Celine who just sat stony faced across from her. Annika placed a calming hand on her best friend's arm.
"Someone should just go back to the past and get her," Hope pointed out.
"We can't force her to come back," Ariel pointed out. "It could only make matters worse."
"Ariel's right," Amy said. "It needs to be her choice to come back."
"So someone should go back and convince her to return," Serenity concluded.
"Then I'll go," Gloria jumped up. "I have to see her. I know I can get her to come back."
"You can't do that," Maggie told her. "You can't run the risk of running into your past self."
"Then an Elysian Scout needs to go back," Mina stated.
"But who," asked Faith.
"Not her," Gloria growled as she pointed to Celine.
"Just leave her in the past," snapped Celine.
"Over my dead body," Gloria snapped. She turned to Brooke. "Brooke could you please do it. You're her godmother and I know she trusts you."
"Me," gasped Brooke. "My husband is out of town. Who is going to take care of my children?"
"Don't worry about that Brooke," Raye assured her. "Your mother and I will be glad to take care of them while you are both gone." Annika nodded her head in agreement.
"Please Brooke," Gloria begged. "Please bring my granddaughter home."
Brooke gazed at her godmother. "Very well," she said. "I'll go and get ready."
An hour later Brooke was heading toward the Gates of Time. Raye, Annika, Mina and Gloria were with her. "Remember I'm only going to be eight years old when you go back," Annika told her. "Please don't call me mom."
"I won't Mom," Brooke laughed. She hugged Annika. "I'll be back soon."
Raye gave her a hug next. "Don't worry about Tara and Ashley," she assured Brooke. "They will be fine."
"Good luck Brooke," Mina said.
"Please give Tiffany a hug for me," Gloria pleaded.
"Don't worry," Brooke replied. "I'll bring her home." Brooke held up the time key and disappeared.
During the time of the Chibi Scouts...
Mina and Tiffany headed back to her quarters. Mina was still in shock. What kind of person was her granddaughter? And what had she done to Tiffany? Mina was sick to her stomach. She had to find out all she could.
"Mama," Tiffany shook her arm.
"Yes Sweetie," Mina replied.
"I uh..." Tiffany could not get the words out.
Mina knelt down in front of her. "What do you need Tiffany?"
"Would you hold me for a while," Tiffany whispered. Mina nodded her head. She pulled Tiffany into her arms and held the child close to her. "I will always love you Tiffany."
Uranus and Neptune sat in the security room monitoring the activity both in and out of the palace. Suddenly a red light blinked on one of the screens. "We have an intruder," Uranus reported.
"We had better go and investigate," Neptune stated. Together the two of them headed toward the area. They got to the library and saw a young woman with shoulder length lavender hair standing there. "Freeze," Uranus shouted.
The woman gasped. "Sailor Uranus, Sailor Neptune. I didn't mean to startle you."
"Who are you," Neptune demanded.
"My name is Brooke Hino," the woman replied. "I believe you met my daughter last month, Ashley Hino."
"Ashley's mother," gasped Neptune. "Then you're Annika's daughter from the future."
"Yes," Brooke replied.
"Why are you here," asked Uranus.
"First let me ask you something," Brooke demanded. "Is Tiffany here?"
"Yes she is," Neptune replied.
"Then she is why I am here," Brooke told them.
Neo-Queen Serenity and the Scouts all stared at Brooke in the conference room. Raye was trying to get used to the fact that this grown woman was Annika's future daughter and her granddaughter. It was hard to believe that her little girl was going to be a mother one-day.
"Tiffany is safe I presume," Brooke asked.
"Yes she is," Mina replied. "Are you here to take her back?"
"Yes but I have to convince her to come back," Brooke told them. "Amy and Ariel told me that forcing her back would make matters worse. She has to decide on her own."
"It won't be easy," Mina pointed out. "Tiffany has begged me to let her stay forever."
"I want to know about Tiffany's mother," Amy suddenly said.
"Celine," Brooke replied. "She's my best friend. She's very strict but that's all I know. I haven't seen her with Tiffany very much."
"I have been working with Tiffany," Amy stated. "She shows all the characteristics of an abused child."
"Impossible," gasped Brooke.
"We don't have any solid proof yet," Amy replied. "Right now it is just speculation."
"With all due respect I just find this very hard to believe," Brooke stated. "I mean Celine is a bit rough but I don't think she would be the type of person to harm her child."
"I have another appointment with her tomorrow," Amy replied. "I'll be more than happy to share my findings with you."
"If Celine is your best friend surely you would have seen something," Mina pointed out.
"Brooke is Annika's daughter," Lita reminded her. "If she takes after Annika she will see the good in everyone. That's how Annika is."
"We'll assign you some guest quarters," Serenity told Brooke. "You can stay as long as you need too."
"That won't be necessary Serenity," Raye spoke up. "Brooke can stay with us."
"You don't need to put me up Grandmother," Brooke replied. "I don't want to impose on anyone."
"You won't be imposing," Raye told her. "You're family. Just don't call me grandmother. Maybe in your time I am your grandmother but in this time your mother is still a little girl who has not had children yet."
"Thank you," Brooke murmured. "I would like to see Tiffany now."
"Could you wait a little bit," asked Mina. "She's still shook up from today's session with Amy. Let her calm down first."
"Very well," Brooke agreed. "It will give me time to get settled."
"Then let's go then," Raye stated and the meeting was adjourned.
Raye led Brooke to her quarters. She wondered how Annika was going to respond to Brooke. Raye could feel a strong connection with this woman. She wondered if Annika would too.
"Here we are," she told Brooke as she opened the door. "Annika I'm back."
"Mama," Annika flew out of her room and into Raye's arms.
"Hi Sweetheart," Raye kissed the child hello. "I would like you to meet someone." Annika wrapped her arms around her mother's waist and stared shyly at Brooke. "This is Brooke. She will be staying with us for a while."
"Mom," Brooke thought. She smiled and knelt down. "Hello Annika."
Annika did not answer. She buried her face in Raye's priestess robes. "She's very shy," Raye explained. "Annika where are your manners?"
"I know she's shy," Brooke thought. "She still is in my time."
"Annika say hello," Raye ordered firmly.
Annika turned her face toward Brooke. "Hello," she whispered.
"Nice to meet you," Brooke took Annika's small hand in hers. Annika just smiled shyly at her.
Later on Gloria and Tiffany were working on their homework when Mina came into the room. "Tiffany there is someone here who would like to see you."
"Who Mama," asked Tiffany.
"Come and find out," Mina replied. She took Tiffany's hand and led her out of the room. Filled with curiosity Gloria followed. Tiffany went into the living room and saw Brooke.
"Aunt Brooke," she gasped. She ran over and gave Brooke a hug.
"Hi Sweetie," Brooke hugged the little girl close to her. "How are you doing?"
"Okay," Tiffany whispered.
"Brooke this is my daughter Gloria," Mina pushed her daughter forward.
"Hello," Gloria said. "Are you friend of Tiffany's mom?"
"Yes I am," Brooke replied.
"Why are you here," asked Tiffany.
"I thought you and I could go for a little walk," Brooke told her. "If you would like too."
Tiffany looked over at Mina who nodded her head. Tiffany took Brooke's hand and they left together. Once they got outside they walked on silence for a few minutes. Finally Brooke led Tiffany over to a bench at sat down. Tiffany sat down next to her. "Your grandmother and great-grandmother asked me to give you a hug for them," Brooke informed Tiffany. "They both miss you."
"I miss them too," Tiffany admitted. "But here my great-grandmother is being my mama and my grandmother is my sister."
"They want me to bring you back home," Brooke told her.
"Are you going to make me come back," asked Tiffany nervously.
Brooke shook her head. "No I am not going to make you do anything," she assured her. Brooke noticed the look of relief on Tiffany's face when she said that. "However, I am here to try and talk you into coming back home."
"No," Tiffany snapped. "I am never going back. I want to stay here. Here I have a mama who loves me."
"Mina is your great-grandmother not your mama," Brooke reminded her. "You have your own mother back home."
"I don't want her to be my mother," Tiffany yelled. "She doesn't want me. I am wanted here."
"Tiffany," Brooke began but Tiffany stood up with her hands over her ears.
"I am not going back," she shouted. "And nothing you can say will make me want to go back. Now leave me alone." With that Tiffany broke into a run and dashed back to the palace. Brooke sat staring helplessly after her.
That evening Mina was getting the girls' lunches ready for the next day. Gloria and Tiffany were both taking a bath right now. Mina glanced at her watch and saw that they had been in for a while. "Asai," she called. "Would go and tell the girls to hurry up and finish?"
"Okay," Asai called and he headed for the bathroom.
Gloria and Tiffany were giggling as they had a couple of splash wars. Gloria's hair was wrapped up while Tiffany's braids were pinned up.
"So what did that lady Brooke want," asked Gloria.
"Just to talk," Tiffany replied. She suddenly grinned and cupped some water in her hand. She threw it at Gloria.
"Hey," Gloria protested. She threw some water back at her. Soon they were both giggling and throwing water on each other.
A knock at the door made them stop. "Girls," Asai's voice called. Tiffany froze in terror. "You need to finish up in here."
"But Dad we're having fun," Gloria protested.
The door opened and Asai peeked in. "Your mother said to hurry," he stated.
Without warning Tiffany began screaming in terror. She got up and tried to back away but only ended up falling. Water splashed everywhere. "Tiffany what's wrong," Gloria cried in alarm.
"It's okay Tiffany," Asai tried to assure her. He moved over closer but Tiffany only screamed louder.
Mina came flying in. "What's going on," she demanded.
"I came in to tell them to hurry up and she started screaming," Asai explained. Mina ran over and wrapped a towel around Tiffany. She pulled Tiffany into her arms. "It's okay Sweetie," she said. "I'm here. No one is going to hurt you." Tiffany sobbed and clung to Mina in terror. Mina motioned for Asai and Gloria to leave the room. When they were both gone Mina sat down with Tiffany in her arms. Quietly and calmly Mina began to work on calming the child down.
Brooke was sitting on the couch with a very bad headache. The responsibility she had right now was huge. If her conversation with Tiffany was any indication of what was going to happen Brooke was going to be here for a long time.
"Here," Raye handed her some aspirin and a glass of water. "This will help."
"Thank you," Brooke replied as she took them from Raye. "Tiffany was really stubborn and angry. She absolutely does not want to go back."
"I guess you will just have to find a way to convince her," Raye told her.
"But how," Brooke moaned. "She is dead set on staying."
Raye was about to reply when Annika climbed up onto her lap. Raye looked at her watch. "Is it that time already?"
"Yes," Annika replied as she snuggled down into her mother's arms. Raye smiled and wrapped her arms around Annika tightly.
"And what time is it," asked Brooke.
"Snuggle time," Annika replied shyly. "I like snuggling with Mama before bedtime."
Brooke smiled fondly at the little girl who would be her mother one-day. "So did I when I was your age," she informed Annika who smiled in response. Raye also smiled. Brooke in her own way was letting her know that Annika would also be a wonderful mother one-day.
It took Mina almost an hour to get Tiffany calmed down. When she tried to question her the child refused to say anything. Mina had just finished putting both girls to bed and was now waiting for Amy. She had asked Asai to contact Amy and ask her over here when she had a chance.
Finally Amy arrived. "I'm sorry," she stated. "Ariel was very unsettled tonight. I had to stay with her until she went to sleep."
"It's okay," Mina mumbled motioning for Amy to sit down. "I had my own problems here." She told Amy what happened. "According to Gloria, Tiffany was fine but as soon as Asai came in she started screaming."
"I see," Amy murmured. She thought for a minute and then said, "Bring her in tomorrow and I'll give her a physical. I need to check and see if my suspicions are correct."
"Suspicions," asked Mina as a chill went over her heart. "Do you mean...?"
"Sexual abuse," Amy replied. Mina went white. This was terrible. How she hoped this wasn't true.
The next day after school Mina took Tiffany to see Amy. She waited out in the waiting room while Amy and Hotaru examined Tiffany. Mina was dreading what Amy might say. After what seemed like an eternity Amy and Hotaru brought Tiffany out.
"Mama," Tiffany flung her arms around Mina.
"Hi Sweetie," Mina hugged the child back. "Were you good for Aunt Amy and Aunt Hotaru?"
"She was very good," Amy replied. "Tiffany I want you go with Aunt Hotaru into my office. I'll be there in a minute so that we can talk. I need to speak to Mama for a few minutes."
"Come on Tiffany," Hotaru took Tiffany's hand and led her away.
As soon as Tiffany was out of earshot Mina turned to Amy. "Well what did you find?"
"My suspicions were correct," Amy told her with a pained look in her eyes. "I found evidence of sexual abuse."
Mina broke down and began to cry. All of this was too much. What was going to happen to her family in the future? Amy placed a comforting arm around her. "I am going to talk to Tiffany right now," she gently told Mina. "Why don't you go and calm down? Take some time to let this sink in. You're going to need your strength to help Tiffany."
"Very well," Mina agreed. She left Amy's office and started back for her quarters. Halfway there she changed her mind. She turned around and headed toward Lita's quarters.
"Here," Lita handed Mina a cup of tea. "This will help relax you."
"Thank you," Mina replied and she took a sip. A box of tissues was sitting beside her.
"Try to calm down," Lita told her. "You getting all upset is not going to help matters."
"I know," Mina choked. "I just sit and think how grim my family's future looks. Who is abusing Tiffany?"
"I don't know," Lita sighed. "I look at Daisy and think about how much I love her and wonder how could someone hurt their own child? I brought that precious life into the world. All I want to do is love her and nurture her."
"The thought that someone in my family is doing this to her makes me sick to my stomach," Mina choked. "The only people I can rule out is myself and Gloria. Tiffany has told me how much she loves both of us in the future."
"Just be strong for her," Lita placed a comforting hand on Mina's arm. Mina nodded her head.
Amy motioned Mina into her office and then closed the door. Hotaru was with Tiffany so that the two women could talk. "What did you find out," asked Mina.
"I had Tiffany show me with these dolls where she has been touched and where she had to touch," Amy replied. "However she has not told me who the abuser is. From what I have been able to find out she is a victim of emotional and sexual abuse. There hasn't been too much evidence of physical yet but I am not ruling it out at this point."
"So what are we going to do," asked Mina.
"I am scheduling her for everyday now," Amy told her. "In the meantime I want you to keep an eye on her. Let me know of anything that might help us out."
"Very well," Mina agreed. "I can do that."
"There's another thing," Amy pointed out. "Gloria."
"What about her," asked Mina.
"Don't forget she needs you too," Amy replied. "Make sure you don't neglect her."
"I'll make sure I don't," Mina replied as she got up to leave.
Later on Brooke came to take Tiffany for a while to talk. Mina decided she needed to spend some time with Gloria. She went to Gloria's room and found her sitting on her bed looking at a book. "Hi Darling," Mina said as she came in.
"Hi Mom," Gloria replied without looking up from her book.
Mina sat down on the bed and took the book out of Gloria's hands, "I thought maybe we could go into town and get an ice cream."
"Really," asked Gloria as her face lit up. "Just the two of us?"
"Just the two of us," Mina replied with a smile. Gloria jumped up and grabbed her shoes and jacket. Together they left their quarters and went down to the carport. The drive over there was peaceful with Gloria telling her mother about school and Mina giving her a small lecture about how she should respect her teachers. When they got to the ice cream place Mina got a strawberry ice cream while Gloria got chocolate. Then they sat down in a booth to eat.
"Gloria," Mina said. "I do want to talk to you about something."
"Nani Mom," Gloria asked.
"You know I love you very much don't you," asked Mina.
"Yes I know," Gloria replied.
"I know I have been very busy with Tiffany lately," Mina pointed out. "But I want you to know that she will never replace you."
"Mom what is wrong with Tiffany," asked Gloria. "She's always sad and scared, she always says bad things about herself and she doesn't want to talk about her mom when I ask her."
"Honey Tiffany is a very unhappy little girl," Mina told her. "You know how some children do not have good, loving home lives?"
"Yes," Gloria replied.
"Well I don't think Tiffany has a happy home life either," Mina stated.
"Poor Tiffany," Gloria mumbled.
"I know," Mina agreed. "And I do appreciate the fact that you have been nice to her. I am very proud of you right now."
"Thank you Mom," Gloria said with a smile.
"But don't think I don't know that you mouthed off your teacher today in school," Mina said with a smiled. Gloria turned a bright pink. "She called and told how rude you were today. We will be talking about that later."
"Yes Ma'am," Gloria replied as she finished her ice cream.
Brooke walked back into the palace with another headache. She tried to talk to Tiffany and convince her to come home but once again the child ran off. "Why did I agree to this," Brooke asked herself.
"Are you all right," Serenity asked as she came up.
"I have a very bad headache right now," Brooke replied. "I don't know how I am going to convince Tiffany to come home when she is dead set against it."
"We're having a Scout meeting right before dinner tonight," Serenity informed her. "Why don't you join us? Maybe we can come up with ways to help you in your assignment."
"That would be great," Brooke replied.
Nearby Daisy and Maggie had overheard the conversation. "I wonder what is going on," asked Daisy.
"Me too," Maggie stated. "We're being left in the dark."
"I say we have a Chibi Scout meeting so that we can find something out," Daisy suggested.
"Then let's tell the other kids," Maggie stated and they went off to look for everyone.
Later on all the children were in the playroom. Their mothers were at a meeting and their fathers were still on duty. It was right before dinner and tonight everyone was eating together. Rini came in and joined them.
"So what is going on," she asked.
"Do you know what all our moms are meeting about," asked Daisy. "They're keeping a secret from us?"
"Do you think there might be anew enemy," Ariel asked. "Mommy has not been telling me much either."
"I know," Faith added. "I want to know what is going on."
"We can't snoop," Hope pointed out. "We'll get into trouble."
"But we have to find out what is going on," Madelyn whined. "Papa doesn't know anything either."
"Well the queen asked that lady Brooke to come along to the meeting," Maggie informed them.
"Why," asked Annika. Tiffany also perked up.
"It has something to do with trying to get Tiffany to come home," Daisy replied.
"No," screamed Tiffany jumping to her feet.
"Tiffany what's wrong," asked Rini in concern.
"Tiffany Mom said you could stay with us," Gloria pointed out.
"But Aunt Brooke is going to make them let her take me back," Tiffany shouted. She suddenly ran from the room.
"Tiffany," the girls called but Tiffany did not reply. She ran down the stairs and down to the conference room. She burst in without knocking. "No," she screamed.
"Tiffany," gasped Mina. "You shouldn't be here."
Tiffany did not listen. She ran up to Brooke. "I am never going home," she screamed. "If you make me go home I'll kill myself."
"Tiffany," gasped Brooke. "I know your mom is strict with you but life cannot be that bad."
"You don't know what she did when it was just the two of us," sobbed Tiffany. Brooke started to speak but Amy put a hand on her shoulder indicating to her to let Tiffany talk. "She was always telling me she did not want me and that she does not love me. She was always making me say that I am a stupid, clumsy fool who can't do anything right or that I am a worthless individual who wasn't wanted and will never mount to anything. She would slap my face for doing the littlest thing wrong. She would spank me for just being one minute late to anything. Mother was always yelling at me about everything and she always said that everything is my fault. She has never hugged me or kissed me. If I didn't have my bed made right or my room perfect she would whip me. And right before I left..." Tiffany trailed off.
"What happened before you left Tiffany," Amy asked gently. The queen and the rest of the Scouts listened intently.
"My stepbrother, Arinori," Tiffany choked as a tear rolled down her face. "He's sixteen. He came into my room and he touched me and made me touch him. I told Mother the next day and she told me that it was all my fault like everything else is. She also told me if I told Grandma or Great-grandma about it then she would give me a whipping I would never forget." She turned to Brooke who was sitting in stunned silence. "Don't you see," she asked. "I can't go home. If I do I will kill myself."
To be continued...