Hi Everyone! At long last here is Hope and Faith's part to the "Friendship Series." I don't know how long this part will be. The beginning of it will be different from the other parts. We will begin this part in the Silver Millenium.
E-mail me with suggestions and feedback to AngelRaye2@aol.com.
Also visit my web site at www.angelfire.com/anime3/chibiscouts
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Disclaimers: I do not own Sailor Moon. With the exception of Rini I own this generation of Sailor Scouts.
The Friendship Series
Part Four: Subpart A
By Angel Raye
In the beginning...
Arista carefully wondered among the rubble of the destroyed Moon Kingdom. In her arms she held her newborn twin daughters. She was not sure about what had happened. All she knew was that Queen Beryl had attacked and everyone was dead. Queen Serenity managed to seal some people in the Imperium Silver Crystal. Arista knew that there was no hope for her but she wanted to save her twins. Their lives had just begun. They couldn't die yet.
Arista found a very weakened Queen Serenity in the rubble. She watched as she put Luna and Artemis in a deep sleep. "Maybe she can do that to the babies," Arista thought. She went over to Serenity. "Your majesty."
Serenity weakly opened her eyes. "You're Sailor Neptune's sister," she commented.
"Yes your Majesty," Arista replied as she bowed before the queen. She held out the babies. "These are my daughters. They are only a few days old."
"I heard that there were twins born out of wedlock from the prince of Uranus and the younger princess of Neptune," Serenity stated.
"Yes I'm afraid so," Arista admitted in shame. She gazed up at the Queen. "Please save my babies," she begged. "You don't need to save me but please spare them."
"I may have enough energy in the silver crystal to send them to the future," Serenity told her. She gazed up at the stars. "One day a New Kingdom will be born. It will be the Crystal Millenium. My daughter will be ruler. Your sister and the other Sailor Senshi will be her guardians. During that time a new generation of Sailor Scouts will be born. I will send these two to that time. Your sister and the princess of Uranus will raise them as their own. They will become the Cosmic Senshi of Uranus and Neptune."
"Thank you your majesty," Arista choked. "You will never know how much I appreciate it."
"Say your good-byes now," commanded Serenity. "I don't have much time left. If you want them to be spared you will have to part with them now."
Arista nodded her head. She turned to the babies and kissed each of them. "Good-bye my darlings," she whispered. "You will lead a good life. Remember how much I love you." She handed the babies over to Serenity. A flash of light covered them and they vanished. Tears rolled down Arista's face. She turned to thank the queen but saw that she had died. Arista walked away and did not look back.
30th century Crystal Tokyo...
Crying awakened Michiru and Haruka. It was time for a feeding. Michiru groaned. It was her turn. She pulled on her robe and headed to the twins' bedroom. She saw Faith was the one who was crying. "Hush little one," Michiru whispered as she picked Faith up. "You'll wake your sister. Not that it matters. As soon as Faith is back asleep Hope will wake up." She carried Faith into the kitchen and began to prepare a bottle. Once the bottle was ready she sat down and began to feed Faith. Suddenly crying was heard from the bedroom. Hope was awake. Haruka came walking through. "I've got her," she called. She disappeared into the twins' room and emerged with Hope in her arms.
"I have a bottle ready you just need to heat it," Michiru informed her. Haruka nodded. A few minutes later she was sitting beside Michiru feeding Hope. "I think they plan to wake up together."
"They do say that twins have a special bond from the start," Haruka pointed out. "They probably already communicate with each other."
"I hope they will always be close," Michiru smiled as she gently began patting Faith on the back. "If I recall when they visited us in the 20th century they were very close."
"And so they will be," Haruka added. They did not notice the babies smiling at each other.
Three years later...
Hope and Faith had grown into healthy three-year-olds. Haruka and Michiru couldn't imagine life without them now. They loved them as much as they would if the twins had been their own children.
Like most twins Hope and Faith were very close. They were never lonely because they always had each other. Amy encouraged Haruka and Michiru to allow the twins to show their different interests and to interact with other children. "You don't want them to become anti-sociable," she pointed out. "That happens with twins sometimes. They only want each other. As a result they become socially crippled."
So Haruka and Michiru treated the children as individuals. Hope was the more feminine twin. She loved wearing dresses and ribbons in her hair. Hope loved drawing and painting. Since that was an interest she shared with Annika, Michiru and Raye set up play dates for the two girls.
Hope also loved music. Whenever Michiru played the violin or the piano Hope would listen intently hanging onto every note. Michiru decided that once Hope was old enough she would take music lessons.
Faith was a tomboy. She pitched tantrums whenever Michiru tried to put a dress on her. She was more rough and tumble child who preferred physical activity. Faith showed an interest in sports so Haruka took her to games. Faith loved riding in Haruka's sports car. She was always asking about different parts. So Haruka helped her with different interests.
One day in the palace nursery Hope and Annika were quietly playing with dolls. Faith was playing with some toy cars. Gloria had been in time-out and was finally released. At the same time both Ariel and Madelyn needed their diapers changed so both Palla and Ves were both busy. Gloria wandered over to Hope and Annika.
"Play dolls with us Gloria," Annika asked her best friend.
"Kay," Gloria replied but she pointed to the one Hope. "I want that one."
"I play with now," Hope pointed out.
"Well I want it," Gloria snapped. She tried to take the doll out of Hope's hand. Hope held on and began to wail.
"Let go it's mine," Hope cried.
Faith heard her sister and came over. She saw Gloria trying to take the doll from Hope. She reached over and pulled Gloria away. "Leave Hope alone," she told Gloria.
"No," Gloria slapped Faith in the face. Faith angrily bit Gloria on the arm. Gloria began screaming. She reached over and pulled Faith's ponytail. The little girls screamed.
"What is going on," demanded Ves as she put Madelyn down. She ran over and pulled the two girls apart. She saw the bite mark on Gloria's arm. "Faith did you do that?"
"Yes," Faith replied. "She was hurting Hope."
"Gloria try to take doll away," wailed Hope.
"Gloria is that true," asked Ves.
"Yes," Gloria snapped and she poked her tongue out at Ves.
"Both of you have a time out," Ves stated as she took each child by the arm. She led them over to the corner and sat each of them in a chair. Faith angrily folded her arms and glared at Gloria.
"You know how we feel about biting," Haruka sternly told Faith that evening after she and Michiru picked the twins up.
"Gloria take Hope's doll away," Faith pointed out.
"And we are glad you want to help your sister," Michiru stated. "But we want you to keep your hands to yourself."
"But Michiru-mama," Faith protested. "Gloria hits too."
"And her mother doesn't let her get away with it," Haruka told her. "When we get back to our quarters you will be sitting in the corner."
"Not fair," Faith howled. "I was helping Hope."
"It's either the corner or a spanking," Michiru pointed out. Faith pouted and decided to take the corner.
That night after Haruka had tucked the girls in and left the room Hope decided to talk to her sister. "I sorry you got in trouble cause of me," she stated.
"Gloria was hurting you," Faith reminded her.
"Why you help me," asked Hope.
"Cause you my sister," Faith replied. She got out of bed and padded over to Hope's. She climbed in next to her. The two little girls wrapped their arms around each other and went to sleep. Later on Michiru came in to check on them. She smiled when she saw them together. "They really are close," Michiru thought as she gently lifted Faith out of bed and carried her to her own. Michiru kissed the girls and quietly left the room.
******
Another year passed and the twins turned four. Another year and they would be entering kindergarten. Hope showed more interest in the academics than Faith did. Haruka and Michiru weren't too concerned. Faith was the bolder of the two and showed more interest in the athletics. She was a tomboy through and through.
Hope was a very curious child. She had more of a tendency to get into things. Michiru found that she had to put many things out of reach otherwise Hope would get into them.
One day Michiru and Haruka were looking over the security logs together. Hope decided to wander into their room. Faith followed her. "Why you in here," asked Faith.
"I wanna see Michiru-mama's special mirror," Hope replied.
"We can't touch that," Faith reminded her.
"I know but I wanna see it," Hope flatly stated. She went over and picked up Michiru's aqua mirror, which had the symbol of Neptune on it. She looked it. "Don't know why it's special," she muttered. Suddenly it glowed.
"What's happening," asked Faith in alarm.
"Don't know," Hope wailed. Suddenly the mirror disappeared.
"Where did it go," asked Faith.
Hope only shook her head. She looked pleadingly at her sister. "Don't tell Michiru-mama." Faith nodded her head.
That night at dinner Haruka looked in amusement at Ariel who was sitting in her high chair. She was completely covered in food. "I think she's wearing most of her dinner," Haruka informed Amy.
"She probably is," Amy grumbled. "I think out of all the children Ariel has been the messiest so far." Amy turned to Greg. "Would you mind getting a bath ready for her. I am just going to put her in as soon as we get back to our quarters."
"No problem," laughed Greg as he got up. He left the dining room and headed toward his quarters.
Haruka turned to Michiru. "You're very quiet tonight," she observed.
"The sea is restless," Michiru replied.
"It can't be the Dark Moon because that is over with," Lita pointed out.
"It's not an enemy," Michiru murmured. "It's something else. I just can't figure out what it is."
"I have not sensed anything," Raye told her. "I'll do a fire reading later. Why don't you consult your mirror?"
"I'll do that," Michiru decided.
"Mama," Annika came up and started tapping Raye on the shoulder.
"What is it Sweetheart," Raye asked lifting the child onto her lap.
"Hope look funny," Annika replied.
"Annika that's not a nice thing to say," Raye chastised.
"But Mama she look funny," Annika insisted. She pointed. "Look at her."
Everyone turned to where Annika was pointing. Hope did not look right. Her skin color had a strange pallor to it. In alarm Michiru and Haruka both went over to her. "What is going on," asked Michiru.
"Hope are you feeling all right," Haruka asked.
"No I feel funny," Hope admitted. Haruka picked her up. Michiru placed her hand on Hope's forehead.
"She doesn't feel warm," she reported. "But we had better get her to bed."
"I'll come and take a look at her after I get Ariel to bed," Amy offered as she picked her messy child out of the high chair.
"What is this strange color," Haruka asked. "I've seen paleness caused by sickness but it has never look like this.
"I'll be by to," Raye called to them. "Once I get Annika to bed I'll see if I can pick up something."
"Thank you," Michiru replied as the family left the dining room.
Later on Hope was in bed with Michiru sitting beside her. She was whining about her chest. "It hurts," she cried.
"It's okay Sweetie," Michiru comforted her. "Aunt Amy and Aunt Raye will both be here soon."
Out in the living room Haruka and Faith were looking at a car magazine together. Faith was wondering if she should tell Haruka about Hope and the mirror. What was happening with Hope right now scared Faith.
"Haruka-papa," Faith said. "If Hope touched Michiru-mama's special mirror would it make her sick?"
"I don't know," Haruka replied. "Why do you ask?"
"Hope picked up Michiru-mama's mirror and it went away," Faith told her.
"What do you mean it went away," asked Haruka sitting up straight.
"It was in her hands and then it was gone," Faith replied.
Haruka got up and went into the girls' room. She sat down on Hope's bed beside Michiru. "Hope," she said. "Did you touch Michiru-mama's mirror today?"
"Nani," Michiru demanded.
"Did you," Haruka asked.
"I only touched it and it went away," Hope wailed.
"Hope you know you're not supposed to touch that," Michiru reprimanded.
"I'm sorry," cried Hope.
"I think I may know what is causing her pain," Haruka stated. "We'll wait for Amy and Raye to get here."
Later on Amy had finished examining Hope and then Raye did some spiritual chants. Both were able to conclude that the mirror had gone inside of Hope. "She will most likely be the next Senshi of Neptune," Amy explained. "For that reason Sailor Neptune's talisman was drawn into her."
"Why is she in pain," asked Michiru.
"Because she has her own talisman within her," Raye replied. "Hers is dormant and won't come out until it is time. Her little body can't handle two talismans."
"Then we need to get it out of her," Michiru declared.
"But how," asked Haruka. "Ours were shot out of us. I don't want to shoot Hope. That is out of the question."
"No argument there," Amy agreed. "I'll talk to the queen. Maybe she can use the silver crystal to get it out."
Later on Neo-Queen Serenity was in the room. By her side were Luna and Artemis. The cats had confirmed what Raye and Amy concluded. Hope's body was carrying two talismans and both of them were too much for her to handle.
"Michiru I will need you to transform," Serenity commanded.
Michiru nodded and pulled out her pen. "NEPTUNE ETERNAL POWER MAKE UP!" Once transformation was complete she turned to Serenity for further instructions.
"Take Hope's hand," Serenity ordered. Neptune did as she was told. "Concentrate on your talisman." Neptune closed her eyes and concentrated on the talisman. Serenity held up the imperium silver crystal. It began to glow. Hope suddenly began to cry in pain as her chest began to glow. Suddenly the talisman took shape and appeared suspended above Hope. Neptune took it into her hands.
"How do you feel now Hope," Luna asked as she jumped up onto the bed.
"I don't hurt anymore," Hope replied.
"That's good to hear," Serenity stated in relief.
"Now you understand why you shouldn't touch Michiru-mama's mirror," asked Neptune. Hope nodded. "Good girl."
Haruka poked her head into the room. She had Faith in her arms. "Is everything all right in here?"
"Yes," Neptune replied as she held up her mirror.
"Good," Haruka heaved a sigh of relief. "Someone here wants to see Hope."
Faith jumped down and ran to her sister's side. "Are you okay," she asked.
"Fine," Hope sat up and took Faith's hand. The two little girls hugged. Hope was not even upset with Faith for telling Haruka that she had touched the mirror.
******
Another year passed and it was time for the twins to start kindergarten along with Annika and Gloria. At the request of the parents they were all put in the same class together.
On the first day Haruka and Michiru walked the twins into their classroom. Annika and Gloria weren't there yet. Michiru remembered hearing Raye and Mina trying to decide who would drive since they were going together.
Ms. James was in the classroom trying to get some children in order. She saw Hope and Faith and walked right up to them. "Hello Girls," she greeted them. She handed them a nametag. "We'll put these on until I learn your names." She looked at both of them. "At least you two don't look exactly the same. Why don't you two say your good-byes and then find something to do?"
"You're not staying," Hope asked as a panicked look came on her face.
"No dear, Haruka-papa and I are going back to the palace," Michiru replied. "Rini will walk you home with the others."
Hope wrapped her arms around Michiru's neck; "I want you to stay."
"We can't Peanut," Haruka gently explained. "We have to go."
Hope began to cry. She held onto Michiru. "Faith," called Haruka. "Take care of your sister." Faith dashed over and put an arm around Hope's shoulder. Hope allowed herself to be led away. Haruka and Michiru quickly exited the classroom. "She'll be fine," Haruka assured Michiru.
"I know," Michiru sighed. "It's just hard letting them go. Where did the time go?"
"I know the feeling," Haruka agreed. They saw Raye and Mina approaching with Annika and Gloria. "Now there is one who is going to have a hard time." Annika was latched onto Raye as usual.
Faith had gotten her sister to stop crying. As soon as she did she heard Annika screaming as Raye left the classroom. Gloria was there for Annika like Faith was there for Hope. Faith turned to Hope. "It's okay," she assured her. "We'll see Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa after school."
"I know," Hope sniffed. She wiped the tears out of her eyes and was glad her sister was there with her.
******
As time passed all four girls grew to love Kindergarten. With only Ariel and Madelyn left Palla and Ves found their jobs easier.
A new PR manager was hired. Ms. Ito did not like children. Both Michiru and Raye had bad feelings about the woman.
"She just seems so cold," Michiru told Haruka one evening after dinner. The twins were playing quietly on the floor of the living room. "She doesn't like children. I could get that much from her."
"Do you think she could harm the children," Haruka asked in a worried voice.
"I don't know," Michiru replied softly. She looked down at the twins. "Girls come here a moment."
Hope and Faith got up and went over to Michiru. She put an arm around each of them. "I want you both to stay away from Ms. Ito."
"Why Michiru-mama," asked Faith.
"I don't think she likes children very much," Michiru told them. "So please stay out of her way."
"We will Michiru-mama," Hope promised and Faith nodded her head.
A couple of days later the children returned home from school. Hope's arms were laden with paintings she had done. She was very proud of them. "Those are wonderful," Michiru told her as she and Haruka looked at them.
"Thank you," Hope replied. "Can we hang them on the refrigerator?"
"I don't think there is enough room for all of them," Haruka laughed. "But we'll choose some of them later on."
"Go put them in our quarters," Michiru told her. "We'll choose later."
"Okay," Hope replied. She gathered up her paintings and went with Faith upstairs. Faith opened the door and the two girls went in. Hope laid them down on the table. "Hey I don't have all of them."
"Did you drop some," Faith asked as she came over.
"I guess so," Hope replied. "I'll go and look."
"I'll come with you," Faith said and she followed her sister out the door. They retraced their steps and found Ms. Ito holding some paintings in her hands.
"Those are mine," Hope told her.
"And what were they doing on the floor," asked Ms. Ito in an annoyed voice.
"I dropped them," Hope replied. "Can I have them back?"
"No because I do not like carelessness," Ms. Ito snapped.
"But they're mine," Hope began to wail.
"And I am going to teach you to be more careful," Ms. Ito told her. She tore up the paintings right there in front of Hope who promptly burst into tears.
"You big meanie," Faith yelled angrily.
"I'm not putting up with rude children," Ms. Ito shouted. "Now get out of here."
Faith angrily took her sister's hand and led her away. Hope was still crying hard. "Don't cry Hope," Faith assured her. "We'll tell Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa. They'll do something."
Haruka angrily marched to Ms. Ito's office. Faith had told them what had happened. Leaving Michiru to comfort Hope, Haruka decided to confront Ms. Ito. She got to her office and saw Ms. Ito sitting at her desk. She looked up when Haruka came in. "What can I do for you," she asked.
"How dare you tear up Hope's artwork," Haruka steamed, getting right to the point. "She was very upset."
"I was trying to teach her a lesson in carelessness," Ms. Ito replied.
"Hope is not a careless child," Haruka snapped. "A child is going to drop things but that is no reason to destroy her work."
"Just tell your child to be careful with her things," Ms. Ito commanded. "And I won't destroy them."
"It's obvious you don't like children," Haruka growled. "But if you lay one hand on either of mine I will see to it that you spend the rest of your days in the palace prison." With that she turned and walked away. "It's not over yet," she thought. "There will be more trouble from her."
That evening after Michiru finished tucking the girls into bed, Faith lay quietly as she tried to think of something to say. It had upset her to see Hope so upset that day. "Hope are you asleep," she asked.
"No," Hope replied.
"I wish Ms. Ito wasn't here," Faith flatly told her. "I'm sorry she tore up your paintings."
"I hate her," Hope stated angrily.
"Me too," Faith agreed. "She made you cry." Faith got up and went over to Hope's bed. Hope moved over and made room. Faith climbed in next to her. She wrapped her arm around her sister and the two little girls went to sleep.
A few days later Hope and Faith were in their quarters when Haruka and Michiru walked in. "Girls we have something to tell you," Michiru informed them.
"Nani," asked Faith.
"Ms. Ito is in the palace prison," Haruka replied.
"Why," asked Hope.
"She locked Annika in a dark closet," said Michiru. "I thought Annika was going to hurt herself she was so scared and I thought Raye was going to kill Ms. Ito."
"Poor Annika," Hope gasped. "Aunt Raye must have been so mad."
"That's putting it very mildly," Haruka muttered.
"Well I'm glad," Faith declared. "No one makes my sister cry."
"I'm glad you feel that way," Haruka rumpled Faith's hair. "You two are sisters so you need to look out for each other."
"We will," Hope promised. Faith and Hope took each other's hands and each silently promised to look out for each other.
******
Eventually the incidents with Ms. Ito were put behind everyone and life went on. Faith and Hope found one disadvantage to being in school and that was attending the palace parties. They were boring. Faith also hated them because she had to wear a princess dress. She hated dresses and she hated the princess dress the most.
One night there was a party to celebrate Raye and Chad's wedding anniversary. Hope and Faith put on their princess dresses to go to the party.
"Do we really have to go to this dumb party," Faith complained as she tugged at the collar of her dress.
"Yes you do," Michiru firmly told her. "And I expect the two of you to behave."
"Maybe Gloria will do something funny tonight," Hope giggled.
"Doubt it," Haruka informed them. "Gloria got into so much trouble at dinner last night that she is not allowed to leave her quarters except for school for a whole week. Mina is bringing her to the party but Gloria is not allowed to leave her side at all."
"Oh yes I forgot how much trouble she was in," Hope giggled. Gloria had gotten hold of some beetles out in the garden the day before. She put them in a jar and managed to sneak them to dinner. While everyone was eating Gloria let the beetles loose. Needless to say dinner was ruined for everyone. Mina had been furious and spanked Gloria in front of everyone.
"Then I guess you two will have to entertain yourselves," Michiru smiled at the two little girls. "But you two stay out of trouble."
"We will," both little girls promised.
As always the party was boring. Rini did what she could to entertain the other children but with little success. Eventually Faith wandered outside onto the balcony. She found a ball perched in one of the trees. "If I could get that ball then I can play," she thought. She went over and saw that the ball was high up out of her reach. Faith decided to climb the tree. She began to climb up onto the balcony rail.
"Faith what are you doing," Hope shrieked as she came out.
"I wanna get that ball up in the tree," Faith replied. "I'm going to get it."
"But it's so high up," Hope protested.
"I can climb," Faith scoffed. She took hold of a limb and swung herself up.
"If Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa see you you're going to be in trouble," Hope pointed out.
"Then I hope they don't see me," Faith shot back. She climbed further up the tree while Hope watched from below.
"Hope," Haruka came out. "What are you doing out here?" Faith froze and hoped that Haruka would not look up.
"I'm looking at the stars Haruka-papa," Hope replied politely.
"Where's your sister," Haruka asked next.
"She had to go to the bathroom," Hope lied.
"Okay," Haruka replied. "Don't stay out to long because it's a chilly night."
"I won't," Hope promised. Haruka went back inside.
"Thank you Hope," Faith called down.
"Just hurry up," Hope commanded. Faith got the ball and knocked it down to the floor of the balcony. She then climbed down from the tree. Hope widened her eyes and looked at Faith's dress.
"Nani," asked Faith.
"Look at your dress," Hope pointed. Faith looked down and saw bark stains on her dress.
"Oh no," she cried. "Michiru-mama will be so mad."
"Maybe we can wash it out," Hope suggested. "I'll be right back." Hope ran inside and found Lita trying to straighten out Daisy's hair bow. "Aunt Lita I need to ask you something."
"Sure Hope what can I do for you," asked Lita.
"Is there anything at the party that could clean clothes," asked Hope.
"There is a type of water over there that might do it," Lita replied.
"Which type," asked Hope.
"The sparkling water," Lita told her. "Why do you ask."
"Just wondering," Hope replied. She turned around headed off toward the drink table. Lita watched her curiously.
Faith waited outside until Hope returned. She had some napkins and a glass of some sparkling water. "Aunt Lita says this stuff might wash a dress," Hope informed her.
"Give it to me," Faith took the stuff and began cleaning. "It's not working."
"Let me try," Hope took the napkin from her and tried. It still did not come out. "We have got to get this out.
"What are you girls doing," a voice demanded. The two girls jumped and saw Hotaru standing behind them.
"But we tried to get it out," Faith wailed in their quarters later. Michiru had the dress in her hands.
"That isn't the point," Michiru told her. "You were climbing a tree when you shouldn't have."
"You could have fallen and broken your neck," Haruka pointed out. "You were climbing up from the second floor of the palace."
"I'm a good climber," Faith muttered.
"Well both of you are in trouble," Michiru stated.
"But I didn't climb the tree," Hope wailed.
"You lied to me though," Haruka reminded her. "And what have we told you about lying?"
"Not too," Hope muttered.
"So both of you will not be watching TV for three days," Michiru said. "Now to bed both of you and we will be in to tuck you in."
Hope and Faith went to their room. As they climbed into bed Faith spoke up, "Hope."
"Nani," Hope replied.
"Thank you for trying to keep me out of trouble," Faith murmured.
"It's okay," Hope replied. "You're my sister." The two little girls smiled at each other and waited for their parents to come and tuck them in.
******
Time passed and the twins finished kindergarten. In first grade they got placed in the same class with Gloria and Annika again. Madelyn started kindergarten leaving only little Ariel at home. Amy enrolled her in pre-school.
The parents were pleased with the first grade teacher. Ms. Hoshino was an excellent teacher. Both Maggie and Daisy had her and loved her. Faith signed up to be on a baseball team while Hope took an art class and music lessons. Annika and Daisy took the art class with her.
Rini was now in junior high since she was in seventh grade. That left Maggie and Daisy with the responsibility of making sure the younger children got home.
Faith was more accepted among her peers than the other kids from the palace due to her tomboyish behavior. The boys were always happy to let her join in a game with them. To them she was one of the guys. Michiru was in despair because Faith always came home with her school uniform covered with dirt. Faith always went out of her way to be like the boys.
"So Faith just how tough are you," asked Daisuke, one of the boys Faith played with.
"I'm as tough as any boy," Faith boasted.
"So you aren't scared of anything," asked another boy, Heizo.
"Nothing," Faith replied.
"Then we are going to dare you," Daisuke stated. "You can ride a bike without training wheels now can't you?"
"Of course," Faith snapped. "Just because Hope and Annika still need them doesn't mean I do."
"Then after school today meet us with your bike at the top of the hill where they are building that new building," Heizo commanded.
"All right I will," Faith replied.
After school Faith went to the bicycle shed and pulled out her bike. Hope was with her. "What are you doing," she asked.
"Daisuke and Heizo told me to meet them with my bike," Faith replied.
"I'm coming too," Hope stated as she pulled her bike out.
"You don't always have to come with me," Faith pointed out.
"I want to," Hope replied. She looked at the training wheels on her bike. Haruka was going to take her to the park this weekend and work with her on riding her bike.
Faith saw that she could not argue with her sister. She and Hope left the palace grounds.
Daisuke and Heizo were already there waiting when the twins arrived. They were surprised to see Hope. "Why did she come," asked Heizo.
"She wanted to," Faith replied. "So what do you want me to do?"
"Ride your bike to the bottom of the hill," Daisuke told her.
Faith and Hope gasped and looked down the hill. It was a dirt hill and led down to the construction site. "It looks scary," Hope gasped.
"Faith will ride down it unless she's chicken," laughed Heizo.
"Faith don't," Hope pleaded. "Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa will get so mad at you."
"Not if you don't tell them," Faith snapped. She turned to the boys. "All right I'll do it."
Hope could not stay anymore. She turned around and rode her bike back toward the palace. Even though she was only six Hope knew what Faith was about to do was dangerous. She had to tell someone.
A car horn honking got her attention. She looked up and saw Raye in her car with Annika in the passenger seat. "Hi Hope," called Raye. "Would you like a ride back to the palace?"
"Aunt Raye," Hope wailed. "Faith is about to do something scary. She could get hurt real bad."
"What's wrong," asked Raye in concern and Hope told her what was happening. "Get in," Raye commanded. She opened up the trunk and put Hope's bike in. Hope got in the car. Raye headed toward the construction site.
"All right," Faith called as she mounted her bike. "Here I go." She was about to take off when someone grabbed her arm. She turned around and saw Raye standing behind her. "Aunt Raye."
"What do you think you are doing," snapped Raye.
"Just riding my bike," Faith muttered.
"Well we can just forget this little stunt," Raye commanded as she took Faith by the hand. "We're going back to the palace.
"You snitch," Faith yelled at Hope later on. Haruka and Michiru had been very angry when Raye told them what Faith was about to do. They took her bike away for a month.
"I'm sorry," Hope murmured as tears rolled down her face. "I was scared that you would get hurt."
"Now the boys will think I'm chicken because I got a tattletale for a sister," Faith snapped. She turned her back to Hope. "Go away I don't want to talk to you."
Hope went back out into the living room. Michiru was sitting on the couch reading a magazine. She looked up and saw Hope's tearful face. "Now what's with that unhappy face," asked Michiru as she pulled the little girl into her arms.
"Faith is mad at me because I tattled," Hope sobbed.
"Don't worry about it Sweetie," Michiru soothed. "Faith may be angry now but you did the right thing. She could have been seriously hurt. Faith will realize that soon."
"So she's not going to hate me," Hope asked.
"No," Michiru assured her. "You're her sister and she loves you. She's just angry right now. Give her some time and she will come around." Hope snuggled into Michiru's arms and felt better.
A couple of days later the children were in school. Ms. Hoshino stood in front of the class. "I have some bad news for you," she told them. "One of the second grade children was riding his bike down the dirt hill to the construction site of that new building. He lost control of his bike and got hurt very badly. He is in the hospital right now. We don't know how long he will be there."
Faith was shocked. "I could have been the one who got hurt."
"Now aren't you glad you didn't go down that hill," asked Haruka later on when the twins told them what had happened.
"Yes," Faith admitted.
"I think you owe your sister an apology," Michiru's gentle voice suggested. "She saved you from being badly hurt."
Faith turned to Hope. "I'm sorry Hope," she whispered.
"That's okay," Hope flung her arms around her sister. Michiru and Haruka smiled. It was nice to see the two girls when they were like this.
To be continued...
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Disclaimers: I do not own Sailor Moon. With the exception of Rini I own this generation of Sailor Scouts.
The Friendship Series
Part Four: Subpart A
By Angel Raye
In the beginning...
Arista carefully wondered among the rubble of the destroyed Moon Kingdom. In her arms she held her newborn twin daughters. She was not sure about what had happened. All she knew was that Queen Beryl had attacked and everyone was dead. Queen Serenity managed to seal some people in the Imperium Silver Crystal. Arista knew that there was no hope for her but she wanted to save her twins. Their lives had just begun. They couldn't die yet.
Arista found a very weakened Queen Serenity in the rubble. She watched as she put Luna and Artemis in a deep sleep. "Maybe she can do that to the babies," Arista thought. She went over to Serenity. "Your majesty."
Serenity weakly opened her eyes. "You're Sailor Neptune's sister," she commented.
"Yes your Majesty," Arista replied as she bowed before the queen. She held out the babies. "These are my daughters. They are only a few days old."
"I heard that there were twins born out of wedlock from the prince of Uranus and the younger princess of Neptune," Serenity stated.
"Yes I'm afraid so," Arista admitted in shame. She gazed up at the Queen. "Please save my babies," she begged. "You don't need to save me but please spare them."
"I may have enough energy in the silver crystal to send them to the future," Serenity told her. She gazed up at the stars. "One day a New Kingdom will be born. It will be the Crystal Millenium. My daughter will be ruler. Your sister and the other Sailor Senshi will be her guardians. During that time a new generation of Sailor Scouts will be born. I will send these two to that time. Your sister and the princess of Uranus will raise them as their own. They will become the Cosmic Senshi of Uranus and Neptune."
"Thank you your majesty," Arista choked. "You will never know how much I appreciate it."
"Say your good-byes now," commanded Serenity. "I don't have much time left. If you want them to be spared you will have to part with them now."
Arista nodded her head. She turned to the babies and kissed each of them. "Good-bye my darlings," she whispered. "You will lead a good life. Remember how much I love you." She handed the babies over to Serenity. A flash of light covered them and they vanished. Tears rolled down Arista's face. She turned to thank the queen but saw that she had died. Arista walked away and did not look back.
30th century Crystal Tokyo...
Crying awakened Michiru and Haruka. It was time for a feeding. Michiru groaned. It was her turn. She pulled on her robe and headed to the twins' bedroom. She saw Faith was the one who was crying. "Hush little one," Michiru whispered as she picked Faith up. "You'll wake your sister. Not that it matters. As soon as Faith is back asleep Hope will wake up." She carried Faith into the kitchen and began to prepare a bottle. Once the bottle was ready she sat down and began to feed Faith. Suddenly crying was heard from the bedroom. Hope was awake. Haruka came walking through. "I've got her," she called. She disappeared into the twins' room and emerged with Hope in her arms.
"I have a bottle ready you just need to heat it," Michiru informed her. Haruka nodded. A few minutes later she was sitting beside Michiru feeding Hope. "I think they plan to wake up together."
"They do say that twins have a special bond from the start," Haruka pointed out. "They probably already communicate with each other."
"I hope they will always be close," Michiru smiled as she gently began patting Faith on the back. "If I recall when they visited us in the 20th century they were very close."
"And so they will be," Haruka added. They did not notice the babies smiling at each other.
Three years later...
Hope and Faith had grown into healthy three-year-olds. Haruka and Michiru couldn't imagine life without them now. They loved them as much as they would if the twins had been their own children.
Like most twins Hope and Faith were very close. They were never lonely because they always had each other. Amy encouraged Haruka and Michiru to allow the twins to show their different interests and to interact with other children. "You don't want them to become anti-sociable," she pointed out. "That happens with twins sometimes. They only want each other. As a result they become socially crippled."
So Haruka and Michiru treated the children as individuals. Hope was the more feminine twin. She loved wearing dresses and ribbons in her hair. Hope loved drawing and painting. Since that was an interest she shared with Annika, Michiru and Raye set up play dates for the two girls.
Hope also loved music. Whenever Michiru played the violin or the piano Hope would listen intently hanging onto every note. Michiru decided that once Hope was old enough she would take music lessons.
Faith was a tomboy. She pitched tantrums whenever Michiru tried to put a dress on her. She was more rough and tumble child who preferred physical activity. Faith showed an interest in sports so Haruka took her to games. Faith loved riding in Haruka's sports car. She was always asking about different parts. So Haruka helped her with different interests.
One day in the palace nursery Hope and Annika were quietly playing with dolls. Faith was playing with some toy cars. Gloria had been in time-out and was finally released. At the same time both Ariel and Madelyn needed their diapers changed so both Palla and Ves were both busy. Gloria wandered over to Hope and Annika.
"Play dolls with us Gloria," Annika asked her best friend.
"Kay," Gloria replied but she pointed to the one Hope. "I want that one."
"I play with now," Hope pointed out.
"Well I want it," Gloria snapped. She tried to take the doll out of Hope's hand. Hope held on and began to wail.
"Let go it's mine," Hope cried.
Faith heard her sister and came over. She saw Gloria trying to take the doll from Hope. She reached over and pulled Gloria away. "Leave Hope alone," she told Gloria.
"No," Gloria slapped Faith in the face. Faith angrily bit Gloria on the arm. Gloria began screaming. She reached over and pulled Faith's ponytail. The little girls screamed.
"What is going on," demanded Ves as she put Madelyn down. She ran over and pulled the two girls apart. She saw the bite mark on Gloria's arm. "Faith did you do that?"
"Yes," Faith replied. "She was hurting Hope."
"Gloria try to take doll away," wailed Hope.
"Gloria is that true," asked Ves.
"Yes," Gloria snapped and she poked her tongue out at Ves.
"Both of you have a time out," Ves stated as she took each child by the arm. She led them over to the corner and sat each of them in a chair. Faith angrily folded her arms and glared at Gloria.
"You know how we feel about biting," Haruka sternly told Faith that evening after she and Michiru picked the twins up.
"Gloria take Hope's doll away," Faith pointed out.
"And we are glad you want to help your sister," Michiru stated. "But we want you to keep your hands to yourself."
"But Michiru-mama," Faith protested. "Gloria hits too."
"And her mother doesn't let her get away with it," Haruka told her. "When we get back to our quarters you will be sitting in the corner."
"Not fair," Faith howled. "I was helping Hope."
"It's either the corner or a spanking," Michiru pointed out. Faith pouted and decided to take the corner.
That night after Haruka had tucked the girls in and left the room Hope decided to talk to her sister. "I sorry you got in trouble cause of me," she stated.
"Gloria was hurting you," Faith reminded her.
"Why you help me," asked Hope.
"Cause you my sister," Faith replied. She got out of bed and padded over to Hope's. She climbed in next to her. The two little girls wrapped their arms around each other and went to sleep. Later on Michiru came in to check on them. She smiled when she saw them together. "They really are close," Michiru thought as she gently lifted Faith out of bed and carried her to her own. Michiru kissed the girls and quietly left the room.
******
Another year passed and the twins turned four. Another year and they would be entering kindergarten. Hope showed more interest in the academics than Faith did. Haruka and Michiru weren't too concerned. Faith was the bolder of the two and showed more interest in the athletics. She was a tomboy through and through.
Hope was a very curious child. She had more of a tendency to get into things. Michiru found that she had to put many things out of reach otherwise Hope would get into them.
One day Michiru and Haruka were looking over the security logs together. Hope decided to wander into their room. Faith followed her. "Why you in here," asked Faith.
"I wanna see Michiru-mama's special mirror," Hope replied.
"We can't touch that," Faith reminded her.
"I know but I wanna see it," Hope flatly stated. She went over and picked up Michiru's aqua mirror, which had the symbol of Neptune on it. She looked it. "Don't know why it's special," she muttered. Suddenly it glowed.
"What's happening," asked Faith in alarm.
"Don't know," Hope wailed. Suddenly the mirror disappeared.
"Where did it go," asked Faith.
Hope only shook her head. She looked pleadingly at her sister. "Don't tell Michiru-mama." Faith nodded her head.
That night at dinner Haruka looked in amusement at Ariel who was sitting in her high chair. She was completely covered in food. "I think she's wearing most of her dinner," Haruka informed Amy.
"She probably is," Amy grumbled. "I think out of all the children Ariel has been the messiest so far." Amy turned to Greg. "Would you mind getting a bath ready for her. I am just going to put her in as soon as we get back to our quarters."
"No problem," laughed Greg as he got up. He left the dining room and headed toward his quarters.
Haruka turned to Michiru. "You're very quiet tonight," she observed.
"The sea is restless," Michiru replied.
"It can't be the Dark Moon because that is over with," Lita pointed out.
"It's not an enemy," Michiru murmured. "It's something else. I just can't figure out what it is."
"I have not sensed anything," Raye told her. "I'll do a fire reading later. Why don't you consult your mirror?"
"I'll do that," Michiru decided.
"Mama," Annika came up and started tapping Raye on the shoulder.
"What is it Sweetheart," Raye asked lifting the child onto her lap.
"Hope look funny," Annika replied.
"Annika that's not a nice thing to say," Raye chastised.
"But Mama she look funny," Annika insisted. She pointed. "Look at her."
Everyone turned to where Annika was pointing. Hope did not look right. Her skin color had a strange pallor to it. In alarm Michiru and Haruka both went over to her. "What is going on," asked Michiru.
"Hope are you feeling all right," Haruka asked.
"No I feel funny," Hope admitted. Haruka picked her up. Michiru placed her hand on Hope's forehead.
"She doesn't feel warm," she reported. "But we had better get her to bed."
"I'll come and take a look at her after I get Ariel to bed," Amy offered as she picked her messy child out of the high chair.
"What is this strange color," Haruka asked. "I've seen paleness caused by sickness but it has never look like this.
"I'll be by to," Raye called to them. "Once I get Annika to bed I'll see if I can pick up something."
"Thank you," Michiru replied as the family left the dining room.
Later on Hope was in bed with Michiru sitting beside her. She was whining about her chest. "It hurts," she cried.
"It's okay Sweetie," Michiru comforted her. "Aunt Amy and Aunt Raye will both be here soon."
Out in the living room Haruka and Faith were looking at a car magazine together. Faith was wondering if she should tell Haruka about Hope and the mirror. What was happening with Hope right now scared Faith.
"Haruka-papa," Faith said. "If Hope touched Michiru-mama's special mirror would it make her sick?"
"I don't know," Haruka replied. "Why do you ask?"
"Hope picked up Michiru-mama's mirror and it went away," Faith told her.
"What do you mean it went away," asked Haruka sitting up straight.
"It was in her hands and then it was gone," Faith replied.
Haruka got up and went into the girls' room. She sat down on Hope's bed beside Michiru. "Hope," she said. "Did you touch Michiru-mama's mirror today?"
"Nani," Michiru demanded.
"Did you," Haruka asked.
"I only touched it and it went away," Hope wailed.
"Hope you know you're not supposed to touch that," Michiru reprimanded.
"I'm sorry," cried Hope.
"I think I may know what is causing her pain," Haruka stated. "We'll wait for Amy and Raye to get here."
Later on Amy had finished examining Hope and then Raye did some spiritual chants. Both were able to conclude that the mirror had gone inside of Hope. "She will most likely be the next Senshi of Neptune," Amy explained. "For that reason Sailor Neptune's talisman was drawn into her."
"Why is she in pain," asked Michiru.
"Because she has her own talisman within her," Raye replied. "Hers is dormant and won't come out until it is time. Her little body can't handle two talismans."
"Then we need to get it out of her," Michiru declared.
"But how," asked Haruka. "Ours were shot out of us. I don't want to shoot Hope. That is out of the question."
"No argument there," Amy agreed. "I'll talk to the queen. Maybe she can use the silver crystal to get it out."
Later on Neo-Queen Serenity was in the room. By her side were Luna and Artemis. The cats had confirmed what Raye and Amy concluded. Hope's body was carrying two talismans and both of them were too much for her to handle.
"Michiru I will need you to transform," Serenity commanded.
Michiru nodded and pulled out her pen. "NEPTUNE ETERNAL POWER MAKE UP!" Once transformation was complete she turned to Serenity for further instructions.
"Take Hope's hand," Serenity ordered. Neptune did as she was told. "Concentrate on your talisman." Neptune closed her eyes and concentrated on the talisman. Serenity held up the imperium silver crystal. It began to glow. Hope suddenly began to cry in pain as her chest began to glow. Suddenly the talisman took shape and appeared suspended above Hope. Neptune took it into her hands.
"How do you feel now Hope," Luna asked as she jumped up onto the bed.
"I don't hurt anymore," Hope replied.
"That's good to hear," Serenity stated in relief.
"Now you understand why you shouldn't touch Michiru-mama's mirror," asked Neptune. Hope nodded. "Good girl."
Haruka poked her head into the room. She had Faith in her arms. "Is everything all right in here?"
"Yes," Neptune replied as she held up her mirror.
"Good," Haruka heaved a sigh of relief. "Someone here wants to see Hope."
Faith jumped down and ran to her sister's side. "Are you okay," she asked.
"Fine," Hope sat up and took Faith's hand. The two little girls hugged. Hope was not even upset with Faith for telling Haruka that she had touched the mirror.
******
Another year passed and it was time for the twins to start kindergarten along with Annika and Gloria. At the request of the parents they were all put in the same class together.
On the first day Haruka and Michiru walked the twins into their classroom. Annika and Gloria weren't there yet. Michiru remembered hearing Raye and Mina trying to decide who would drive since they were going together.
Ms. James was in the classroom trying to get some children in order. She saw Hope and Faith and walked right up to them. "Hello Girls," she greeted them. She handed them a nametag. "We'll put these on until I learn your names." She looked at both of them. "At least you two don't look exactly the same. Why don't you two say your good-byes and then find something to do?"
"You're not staying," Hope asked as a panicked look came on her face.
"No dear, Haruka-papa and I are going back to the palace," Michiru replied. "Rini will walk you home with the others."
Hope wrapped her arms around Michiru's neck; "I want you to stay."
"We can't Peanut," Haruka gently explained. "We have to go."
Hope began to cry. She held onto Michiru. "Faith," called Haruka. "Take care of your sister." Faith dashed over and put an arm around Hope's shoulder. Hope allowed herself to be led away. Haruka and Michiru quickly exited the classroom. "She'll be fine," Haruka assured Michiru.
"I know," Michiru sighed. "It's just hard letting them go. Where did the time go?"
"I know the feeling," Haruka agreed. They saw Raye and Mina approaching with Annika and Gloria. "Now there is one who is going to have a hard time." Annika was latched onto Raye as usual.
Faith had gotten her sister to stop crying. As soon as she did she heard Annika screaming as Raye left the classroom. Gloria was there for Annika like Faith was there for Hope. Faith turned to Hope. "It's okay," she assured her. "We'll see Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa after school."
"I know," Hope sniffed. She wiped the tears out of her eyes and was glad her sister was there with her.
******
As time passed all four girls grew to love Kindergarten. With only Ariel and Madelyn left Palla and Ves found their jobs easier.
A new PR manager was hired. Ms. Ito did not like children. Both Michiru and Raye had bad feelings about the woman.
"She just seems so cold," Michiru told Haruka one evening after dinner. The twins were playing quietly on the floor of the living room. "She doesn't like children. I could get that much from her."
"Do you think she could harm the children," Haruka asked in a worried voice.
"I don't know," Michiru replied softly. She looked down at the twins. "Girls come here a moment."
Hope and Faith got up and went over to Michiru. She put an arm around each of them. "I want you both to stay away from Ms. Ito."
"Why Michiru-mama," asked Faith.
"I don't think she likes children very much," Michiru told them. "So please stay out of her way."
"We will Michiru-mama," Hope promised and Faith nodded her head.
A couple of days later the children returned home from school. Hope's arms were laden with paintings she had done. She was very proud of them. "Those are wonderful," Michiru told her as she and Haruka looked at them.
"Thank you," Hope replied. "Can we hang them on the refrigerator?"
"I don't think there is enough room for all of them," Haruka laughed. "But we'll choose some of them later on."
"Go put them in our quarters," Michiru told her. "We'll choose later."
"Okay," Hope replied. She gathered up her paintings and went with Faith upstairs. Faith opened the door and the two girls went in. Hope laid them down on the table. "Hey I don't have all of them."
"Did you drop some," Faith asked as she came over.
"I guess so," Hope replied. "I'll go and look."
"I'll come with you," Faith said and she followed her sister out the door. They retraced their steps and found Ms. Ito holding some paintings in her hands.
"Those are mine," Hope told her.
"And what were they doing on the floor," asked Ms. Ito in an annoyed voice.
"I dropped them," Hope replied. "Can I have them back?"
"No because I do not like carelessness," Ms. Ito snapped.
"But they're mine," Hope began to wail.
"And I am going to teach you to be more careful," Ms. Ito told her. She tore up the paintings right there in front of Hope who promptly burst into tears.
"You big meanie," Faith yelled angrily.
"I'm not putting up with rude children," Ms. Ito shouted. "Now get out of here."
Faith angrily took her sister's hand and led her away. Hope was still crying hard. "Don't cry Hope," Faith assured her. "We'll tell Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa. They'll do something."
Haruka angrily marched to Ms. Ito's office. Faith had told them what had happened. Leaving Michiru to comfort Hope, Haruka decided to confront Ms. Ito. She got to her office and saw Ms. Ito sitting at her desk. She looked up when Haruka came in. "What can I do for you," she asked.
"How dare you tear up Hope's artwork," Haruka steamed, getting right to the point. "She was very upset."
"I was trying to teach her a lesson in carelessness," Ms. Ito replied.
"Hope is not a careless child," Haruka snapped. "A child is going to drop things but that is no reason to destroy her work."
"Just tell your child to be careful with her things," Ms. Ito commanded. "And I won't destroy them."
"It's obvious you don't like children," Haruka growled. "But if you lay one hand on either of mine I will see to it that you spend the rest of your days in the palace prison." With that she turned and walked away. "It's not over yet," she thought. "There will be more trouble from her."
That evening after Michiru finished tucking the girls into bed, Faith lay quietly as she tried to think of something to say. It had upset her to see Hope so upset that day. "Hope are you asleep," she asked.
"No," Hope replied.
"I wish Ms. Ito wasn't here," Faith flatly told her. "I'm sorry she tore up your paintings."
"I hate her," Hope stated angrily.
"Me too," Faith agreed. "She made you cry." Faith got up and went over to Hope's bed. Hope moved over and made room. Faith climbed in next to her. She wrapped her arm around her sister and the two little girls went to sleep.
A few days later Hope and Faith were in their quarters when Haruka and Michiru walked in. "Girls we have something to tell you," Michiru informed them.
"Nani," asked Faith.
"Ms. Ito is in the palace prison," Haruka replied.
"Why," asked Hope.
"She locked Annika in a dark closet," said Michiru. "I thought Annika was going to hurt herself she was so scared and I thought Raye was going to kill Ms. Ito."
"Poor Annika," Hope gasped. "Aunt Raye must have been so mad."
"That's putting it very mildly," Haruka muttered.
"Well I'm glad," Faith declared. "No one makes my sister cry."
"I'm glad you feel that way," Haruka rumpled Faith's hair. "You two are sisters so you need to look out for each other."
"We will," Hope promised. Faith and Hope took each other's hands and each silently promised to look out for each other.
******
Eventually the incidents with Ms. Ito were put behind everyone and life went on. Faith and Hope found one disadvantage to being in school and that was attending the palace parties. They were boring. Faith also hated them because she had to wear a princess dress. She hated dresses and she hated the princess dress the most.
One night there was a party to celebrate Raye and Chad's wedding anniversary. Hope and Faith put on their princess dresses to go to the party.
"Do we really have to go to this dumb party," Faith complained as she tugged at the collar of her dress.
"Yes you do," Michiru firmly told her. "And I expect the two of you to behave."
"Maybe Gloria will do something funny tonight," Hope giggled.
"Doubt it," Haruka informed them. "Gloria got into so much trouble at dinner last night that she is not allowed to leave her quarters except for school for a whole week. Mina is bringing her to the party but Gloria is not allowed to leave her side at all."
"Oh yes I forgot how much trouble she was in," Hope giggled. Gloria had gotten hold of some beetles out in the garden the day before. She put them in a jar and managed to sneak them to dinner. While everyone was eating Gloria let the beetles loose. Needless to say dinner was ruined for everyone. Mina had been furious and spanked Gloria in front of everyone.
"Then I guess you two will have to entertain yourselves," Michiru smiled at the two little girls. "But you two stay out of trouble."
"We will," both little girls promised.
As always the party was boring. Rini did what she could to entertain the other children but with little success. Eventually Faith wandered outside onto the balcony. She found a ball perched in one of the trees. "If I could get that ball then I can play," she thought. She went over and saw that the ball was high up out of her reach. Faith decided to climb the tree. She began to climb up onto the balcony rail.
"Faith what are you doing," Hope shrieked as she came out.
"I wanna get that ball up in the tree," Faith replied. "I'm going to get it."
"But it's so high up," Hope protested.
"I can climb," Faith scoffed. She took hold of a limb and swung herself up.
"If Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa see you you're going to be in trouble," Hope pointed out.
"Then I hope they don't see me," Faith shot back. She climbed further up the tree while Hope watched from below.
"Hope," Haruka came out. "What are you doing out here?" Faith froze and hoped that Haruka would not look up.
"I'm looking at the stars Haruka-papa," Hope replied politely.
"Where's your sister," Haruka asked next.
"She had to go to the bathroom," Hope lied.
"Okay," Haruka replied. "Don't stay out to long because it's a chilly night."
"I won't," Hope promised. Haruka went back inside.
"Thank you Hope," Faith called down.
"Just hurry up," Hope commanded. Faith got the ball and knocked it down to the floor of the balcony. She then climbed down from the tree. Hope widened her eyes and looked at Faith's dress.
"Nani," asked Faith.
"Look at your dress," Hope pointed. Faith looked down and saw bark stains on her dress.
"Oh no," she cried. "Michiru-mama will be so mad."
"Maybe we can wash it out," Hope suggested. "I'll be right back." Hope ran inside and found Lita trying to straighten out Daisy's hair bow. "Aunt Lita I need to ask you something."
"Sure Hope what can I do for you," asked Lita.
"Is there anything at the party that could clean clothes," asked Hope.
"There is a type of water over there that might do it," Lita replied.
"Which type," asked Hope.
"The sparkling water," Lita told her. "Why do you ask."
"Just wondering," Hope replied. She turned around headed off toward the drink table. Lita watched her curiously.
Faith waited outside until Hope returned. She had some napkins and a glass of some sparkling water. "Aunt Lita says this stuff might wash a dress," Hope informed her.
"Give it to me," Faith took the stuff and began cleaning. "It's not working."
"Let me try," Hope took the napkin from her and tried. It still did not come out. "We have got to get this out.
"What are you girls doing," a voice demanded. The two girls jumped and saw Hotaru standing behind them.
"But we tried to get it out," Faith wailed in their quarters later. Michiru had the dress in her hands.
"That isn't the point," Michiru told her. "You were climbing a tree when you shouldn't have."
"You could have fallen and broken your neck," Haruka pointed out. "You were climbing up from the second floor of the palace."
"I'm a good climber," Faith muttered.
"Well both of you are in trouble," Michiru stated.
"But I didn't climb the tree," Hope wailed.
"You lied to me though," Haruka reminded her. "And what have we told you about lying?"
"Not too," Hope muttered.
"So both of you will not be watching TV for three days," Michiru said. "Now to bed both of you and we will be in to tuck you in."
Hope and Faith went to their room. As they climbed into bed Faith spoke up, "Hope."
"Nani," Hope replied.
"Thank you for trying to keep me out of trouble," Faith murmured.
"It's okay," Hope replied. "You're my sister." The two little girls smiled at each other and waited for their parents to come and tuck them in.
******
Time passed and the twins finished kindergarten. In first grade they got placed in the same class with Gloria and Annika again. Madelyn started kindergarten leaving only little Ariel at home. Amy enrolled her in pre-school.
The parents were pleased with the first grade teacher. Ms. Hoshino was an excellent teacher. Both Maggie and Daisy had her and loved her. Faith signed up to be on a baseball team while Hope took an art class and music lessons. Annika and Daisy took the art class with her.
Rini was now in junior high since she was in seventh grade. That left Maggie and Daisy with the responsibility of making sure the younger children got home.
Faith was more accepted among her peers than the other kids from the palace due to her tomboyish behavior. The boys were always happy to let her join in a game with them. To them she was one of the guys. Michiru was in despair because Faith always came home with her school uniform covered with dirt. Faith always went out of her way to be like the boys.
"So Faith just how tough are you," asked Daisuke, one of the boys Faith played with.
"I'm as tough as any boy," Faith boasted.
"So you aren't scared of anything," asked another boy, Heizo.
"Nothing," Faith replied.
"Then we are going to dare you," Daisuke stated. "You can ride a bike without training wheels now can't you?"
"Of course," Faith snapped. "Just because Hope and Annika still need them doesn't mean I do."
"Then after school today meet us with your bike at the top of the hill where they are building that new building," Heizo commanded.
"All right I will," Faith replied.
After school Faith went to the bicycle shed and pulled out her bike. Hope was with her. "What are you doing," she asked.
"Daisuke and Heizo told me to meet them with my bike," Faith replied.
"I'm coming too," Hope stated as she pulled her bike out.
"You don't always have to come with me," Faith pointed out.
"I want to," Hope replied. She looked at the training wheels on her bike. Haruka was going to take her to the park this weekend and work with her on riding her bike.
Faith saw that she could not argue with her sister. She and Hope left the palace grounds.
Daisuke and Heizo were already there waiting when the twins arrived. They were surprised to see Hope. "Why did she come," asked Heizo.
"She wanted to," Faith replied. "So what do you want me to do?"
"Ride your bike to the bottom of the hill," Daisuke told her.
Faith and Hope gasped and looked down the hill. It was a dirt hill and led down to the construction site. "It looks scary," Hope gasped.
"Faith will ride down it unless she's chicken," laughed Heizo.
"Faith don't," Hope pleaded. "Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa will get so mad at you."
"Not if you don't tell them," Faith snapped. She turned to the boys. "All right I'll do it."
Hope could not stay anymore. She turned around and rode her bike back toward the palace. Even though she was only six Hope knew what Faith was about to do was dangerous. She had to tell someone.
A car horn honking got her attention. She looked up and saw Raye in her car with Annika in the passenger seat. "Hi Hope," called Raye. "Would you like a ride back to the palace?"
"Aunt Raye," Hope wailed. "Faith is about to do something scary. She could get hurt real bad."
"What's wrong," asked Raye in concern and Hope told her what was happening. "Get in," Raye commanded. She opened up the trunk and put Hope's bike in. Hope got in the car. Raye headed toward the construction site.
"All right," Faith called as she mounted her bike. "Here I go." She was about to take off when someone grabbed her arm. She turned around and saw Raye standing behind her. "Aunt Raye."
"What do you think you are doing," snapped Raye.
"Just riding my bike," Faith muttered.
"Well we can just forget this little stunt," Raye commanded as she took Faith by the hand. "We're going back to the palace.
"You snitch," Faith yelled at Hope later on. Haruka and Michiru had been very angry when Raye told them what Faith was about to do. They took her bike away for a month.
"I'm sorry," Hope murmured as tears rolled down her face. "I was scared that you would get hurt."
"Now the boys will think I'm chicken because I got a tattletale for a sister," Faith snapped. She turned her back to Hope. "Go away I don't want to talk to you."
Hope went back out into the living room. Michiru was sitting on the couch reading a magazine. She looked up and saw Hope's tearful face. "Now what's with that unhappy face," asked Michiru as she pulled the little girl into her arms.
"Faith is mad at me because I tattled," Hope sobbed.
"Don't worry about it Sweetie," Michiru soothed. "Faith may be angry now but you did the right thing. She could have been seriously hurt. Faith will realize that soon."
"So she's not going to hate me," Hope asked.
"No," Michiru assured her. "You're her sister and she loves you. She's just angry right now. Give her some time and she will come around." Hope snuggled into Michiru's arms and felt better.
A couple of days later the children were in school. Ms. Hoshino stood in front of the class. "I have some bad news for you," she told them. "One of the second grade children was riding his bike down the dirt hill to the construction site of that new building. He lost control of his bike and got hurt very badly. He is in the hospital right now. We don't know how long he will be there."
Faith was shocked. "I could have been the one who got hurt."
"Now aren't you glad you didn't go down that hill," asked Haruka later on when the twins told them what had happened.
"Yes," Faith admitted.
"I think you owe your sister an apology," Michiru's gentle voice suggested. "She saved you from being badly hurt."
Faith turned to Hope. "I'm sorry Hope," she whispered.
"That's okay," Hope flung her arms around her sister. Michiru and Haruka smiled. It was nice to see the two girls when they were like this.
To be continued...