PINK REBELLION
Part Four: "Secrets"
By Bill K.
The four Amazoness Senshi walked down the palace corridor
leading to the royal receiving chamber. Sailor Ceres glanced
nervously at Sailor Juno.
"What do you suppose the Queen summoned us for?" Ceres
ventured.
"We're in trouble," scowled Sailor Vesta.
"Maybe not," Juno replied.
"She's not going to summon us to the royal receiving chamber
unless we're in trouble," Vesta maintained.
"Well if we are in trouble, it's probably for something YOU
did," Ceres snipped.
"It's probably for something you did," mocked Vesta. "Man, you
are such a priss!"
"Would you two stop," sighed Juno. "Pallas, do you know
anything about this?"
Sailor Pallas smiled vacantly. "We're going on a trip."
"We are? Where?"
She looked at Juno. "Pallas is going to make a pretty dress
for her doll," she said happily. Then she sobered. "If Pallas ever
learns how to sew." Vesta rolled her eyes.
Entering the chamber, the quartet saw both Queen Serenity and
King Endymion sitting on their thrones. The elder senshi flanked
them and Artemis, Luna and Diana sat to the right. Suppressing their
nervousness, the four entered and knelt before the king and queen.
"I wish you wouldn't make them do that," they heard Serenity
whisper to Sailor Venus.
"It's good for them," Venus whispered back. "It teaches them
humility."
"And what would you know about humility?" Serenity whispered.
"Please rise," Endymion said and the quartet complied. "The
Princess has run away from home."
The four younger senshi all gasped.
"Why?" Vesta asked.
"Vesta, it's none of our business!" hissed Ceres.
"No, it's all right," Serenity smiled. "My daughter felt it
was necessary to prove herself worthy of being Sailor Moon. Of
course she doesn't have to do such a thing, but she feels she does."
"Where did she go?" Juno asked.
"The past. She's gone to prevent a specific incident from
happening," Endymion said.
"Pardon me, Your Majesty," Juno said quickly, "but isn't that
dangerous? The Princess could change the past."
"The possibility exists," Endymion nodded. "How great a
possibility depends upon her."
"Your majesty," Vesta interrupted. "Our sacred duty is to
protect The Princess. Please send us back into the past so we can do
that."
Serenity smiled. "Your enthusiasm is gratifying. It makes me
think I've chosen my daughter's senshi well. Your request is
granted."
"But please remember one thing," warned Sailor Mercury. "If
you four go into the past, you make it that much more likely the past
will be changed. You must be careful to tell no one about what
happens in their future - - not even Sailor Moon or the senshi."
"We understand, Sensei Mercury-sama," Juno replied.
Serenity glanced at the cats. On cue, Diana jumped to the
floor and scampered over to the throne. She jumped into Serenity's
lap and transferred a ruby and gold key from her mouth to Serenity's
palm.
"This key will be your means to journey through time. Diana
will show you how to use it." Serenity handed the key to Juno.
"Um, Your Majesty," Ceres asked hesitantly. "Are we to prevent
The Princess from doing what she intends to do?"
"No," Serenity said. "Your jobs as senshi are to protect and
support Sailor Chibi-Moon. You must not impede her, nor must you
smother her in your zeal to protect her. You must at all times defer
to her, even if you disagree with her intentions. Her growth into
Sailor Moon will be achieved through many things. She will grow from
victories she has fought for, as well as defeats she must endure.
But she will grow most of all from the faith and support of her
senshi."
"Yeah, if she'll let us," muttered Vesta. Ceres nudged her
impatiently.
"You must also have faith in your ability to win her over,"
Serenity said. "Sometimes the deepest friendships are the hardest
ones to establish at first." Serenity glanced back at Sailor Mars
and Mars returned her smile.
"Yes, Your Majesty," they replied, but their elders could see
they didn't quite understand.
"Goodbye," Endymion told them, "and good fortune with your
mission."
The quartet bowed and headed out. As they left, Pallas turned
to Juno, smiled, and said, "Told you."
* * * *
"Ami?" Mrs. Mizuno called out as she entered the door. "I'm
home!"
Finding the odor of hot food in the front room, the tired
doctor slipped on her slippers and entered the kitchen, expecting to
find her daughter serving two plates of whatever she'd cooked for
dinner. However, she didn't expect company.
"Why . . .?" the woman remarked, surprised by the timid little
girl sitting at the table with Ami. "Well who is this?"
"Mother, please meet Sakiko," Ami said pleasantly. The girl
bowed meekly. She stared at Ami's mother with shy suspicion and
didn't utter a word.
"I'm pleased to meet you," Mrs. Mizuno smiled. She seemed only
slightly less imposing when she smiled and Sakiko turned to Ami for
reassurance. "Is Sakiko a friend of yours?"
"Yes," Ami nodded. "Do you remember when I went to that resort
about two years ago with Usagi and Rei? Well, Sakiko is the daughter
of the owner of the resort and we became good friends during my stay
there."
"That's nice," smiled Mrs. Mizuno. "Are you visiting Tokyo
with your father?"
Sakiko immediately tensed. Ami touched her mother's hand to
get her attention.
"Mother," Ami said, "may we go into the other room. There are
a few things I must explain to you."
"A-All right," she nodded. They started to leave, but a
plaintive voice stopped them.
"Ami?" Sakiko said, openly uneasy about Ami's departure.
"I'll just be in the other room, Sakiko-chan," Ami said,
holding the girl's hand. "It'll just be for a few minutes. There's
no need to be frightened. There's nothing here that will hurt you."
Sakiko clearly wasn't enamored with the prospect, but didn't
protest further. Ami ushered her mother into the living room.
"Mother, there are a few things you need to know about Sakiko,"
Ami said. "First, we think her father may be dead."
"Oh, dear," gasped Mrs. Mizuno. "That poor child. Is her
mother gone, too?" Ami nodded. "Oh, dear. What happened?"
"That's - - still being looked into," Ami replied. "There's
something else you need to know. Sakiko has telekinetic powers."
Her mother looked at Ami skeptically. "You've seen this?"
"Yes. Sakiko may have the most powerful telekinesis ever
known."
"Really? That's amazing. Just how powerful are we talking
about?"
Ami seemed reluctant to answer. "Did you hear about what
happened downtown tonight?"
"Yes, the news said there was some sort of monster that caused
massive . . ." and the woman halted, realizing what her daughter was
getting at. "That little girl did all that?"
"She was upset and afraid, Mother."
"Have you called the police?"
"Mother, Sakiko's not a criminal. She's a scared and lonely
little girl who's suffered a trauma."
"I'm not saying she's a criminal, Ami. But she's clearly
dangerous. It's what the authorities are there to deal with."
"And what would they do, Mother? Take her to some lab and turn
her into some sort of test animal? What kind of life is that for a
little girl?"
"And what do you propose, Ami? That we adopt her?"
"I'm only asking that she stay here until we can sort out
what's happened and find out if she has any relatives we can place
her with," Ami argued.
"We?" her mother queried. "Ami, answer me one question - -
truthfully - - is Usagi involved in this?"
Ami looked down. "Peripherally," she admitted squeamishly.
Her mother emitted a tired sigh. "Very well. Just be sure you
realize the burden you're taking on here. This is a little girl, not
a lost puppy . . ."
The loud crash of a dinner plate came from the kitchen.
Alarmed, both women raced into the kitchen. They found Sakiko
sitting in her chair. Her broken dinner plate and all the food on it
was splattered on the floor near her.
"I'm sorry," Sakiko offered, then cringed as if she expected to
be struck. Her heart melting, Ami went over and knelt down next to
Sakiko.
"Did you try to pick it up?" Ami asked. Sakiko nodded
silently. "And it was a little too heavy for you?" Again she
nodded. "Are you hurt?" Sakiko shook her head. "Well, that's the
important thing. Now let's clean up this mess. Do you want to
help?"
Sakiko's eyes widened when she realized she wouldn't be
punished. The edges of her mouth curled up and she nodded
enthusiastically.
Mrs. Mizuno looked on, admiring the deft way her daughter
handled this unfortunate little girl. At the same time, she couldn't
help worrying that they were involved in something neither was
equipped to handle.
* * * *
Strewn all over Makoto's living room were four fifteen-year-old
girls. Curled up on the sofa was Ceres. Nestled in an armchair was
Pallas. Juno and Vesta roughed it on the floor in sleeping bags.
Makoto had offered her bed to the four, but Juno, Ceres and Vesta
seemed quite horrified by the thought of displacing her. Pallas was
disappointed, but reluctantly fell in line and the Amazons found
places in the living room instead. There they slept until the first
dawn of morning.
Jun-Jun noticed it first: the pleasant odor wafting gently
through the room. Her nose seemed to wiggle as the scent tickled her
nostrils. An eye leisurely opened. It took her a few moments to
remember she was in the twentieth century, because that heavenly odor
was just so pleasant and so familiar. She kept still in her bag,
taking it in as a smile spread across her lips. As she lay there,
she noticed Ves-Ves begin to stir.
"Shh," she whispered, bringing Ves-Ves to full waking. "Smell
that?"
Ves-Ves sniffed and her eyes lit up. Rising up onto her hip,
she reached over and picked up a throw pillow Palla-Palla had
knocked from the chair during the night. Rudely she flung it at
Cere-Cere, bouncing the pillow off the girl's crimson head.
"Hey!" howled Cere-Cere, wrenched awake. "Ves-Ves!"
"Take a sniff," Ves-Ves grinned.
Reluctantly Cere-Cere complied. Instantly her anger
dissipated.
"Sensei Jupiter-sama's cooking!" she grinned.
Makoto turned from her duties at the kitchen range and glanced
over her shoulder. Framed in the doorway were four Amazons with huge
smiles and hopeful looks on their faces.
"Well, Mom always said the hardest secret to keep is that
you're cooking breakfast," Makoto smiled.
"Pardon us, please, Sensei Jupiter-sama," Cere-Cere said as
politely as she could. "We don't mean to impose . . ."
"It's no imposition," chuckled Makoto. "I made enough for
everybody. Get cleaned up and it'll be ready when you get back."
"Goody goody goody!" Palla-Palla squealed as the four teens
scampered off.
The table was set for five and Makoto and the Amazons sat down
together. Palla-Palla reached for her plate and instantly had her
hand smacked by Cere-Cere. Makoto noticed the others waiting
anxiously.
"Well go ahead," Makoto prodded them.
"We're not supposed to eat before an elder does," Jun-Jun told
her humbly.
"I'm not THAT much older than you four," Makoto grinned.
"Forgive us, Sensei Jupiter-sama," Jun-Jun said. "We can't
help but think of you as your future self."
"Yeah, you've changed so little," Palla-Palla smiled.
"Palla-Palla!" hissed Cere-Cere.
"It's all right," Makoto smiled. "I take it as a compliment."
"No, it's just that we were warned by Sensei Mercury-sama not
to tell anyone about the future - - not even the senshi."
"Oh," Makoto replied. "Well, that's pretty good advice if it
came from Ami. But as for the rest of this, you are guests here, not
students. That means I am Makoto, not Sensei Jupiter-sama, and you
four are free to relax and do what you like, so long as you don't
abuse my hospitality. OK?" The girls nodded. "Good. Now let's
eat. Your breakfast is getting cold."
She noticed Palla-Palla hung back until the others started
eating, probably so she wouldn't risk getting smacked again. As she
ate, Makoto observed this strange crew. She was struck by how
different they were from the corrupted children they'd been under
Neherenia, and yet core personality traits seemed to shine through
again.
"So, do you girls like being senshi?" Makoto ventured.
"Yes, Sensei," then Cere-Cere caught herself, "um, Makoto.
It's a tremendous honor to serve the royal family and very exciting
being in the palace."
"Yeah, and our senshi powers are just too cool," grinned
Ves-Ves.
"And it gives us a chance to make up for what we did in the
past," Jun-Jun added.
"Well, that's very noble," Makoto told her. "But everybody
knows you four were just being used by Neherenia, don't they?"
"Well, not everyone seems as forgiving of our past as Queen
Serenity," Cere-Cere replied. "Of course, you've been great to
us - - um, will be great to us. And Sensei Mercury-sama accepts that
we've changed."
"Sensei Venus-sama is a little rough on us," noted Ves-Ves.
"But she's just doing that to make us the best senshi we can be, so I
can respect it. And she knows so much!"
"What about Mars?" asked Makoto.
"She was a little suspicious of us at first," Jun-Jun admitted.
"But the Queen helped us win her over."
"Yeah, Usagi's good at that," grinned Makoto. "So, do you and
Chibi-Usa get along well?"
"Not at all," Palla-Palla chirped through a mouthful of
sausage. "She hates us."
* * * *
"Take care, Hotaru," Michiru said, waiving to Hotaru as the
girl headed out for school. "We'll see you tonight. Is Usa still in
bed?"
"Yes, Michiru-mama," Hotaru replied. "I tried waking her once,
but she looked so peaceful I thought I'd let her sleep."
"Sounds like someone I know," Haruka joked. "I hear tell you
can't wake Usagi up with an air-horn." She stuck her head up over
Michiru's shoulder. "You come right home after school now. I don't
want you out chasing after all the pretty girls."
"Oh, Papa!" huffed Hotaru.
"HOTARRUUUUUUUU!" everyone heard Usa shriek from upstairs. It
was followed by such a loud clatter that Haruka and Michiru thought
the girl was wrestling with a trio of grizzly bears. Moments later a
fifteen-year-old pink-topped streak with patches of green came
tearing down the staircase. She nearly tripped on the fifth step,
but managed to somehow keep her balance. "I'll walk you to school!"
cried Usa and she raced out the door after Hotaru.
"That would be nice, Usa-chan," Hotaru smiled as if nothing
were wrong.
Haruka and Michiru glanced at each other, bemused.
"We can spend more time together after today," Hotaru told Usa
as they walked. With nothing else to wear, Usa had borrowed one of
Michiru's dresses, while Hotaru was in her school uniform. "Break
starts tomorrow. I think the high school is already out. They're so
lucky."
"I'd like that," Usa smiled. "So how do you like living with
Haruka and Michiru and Setsuna?
"They're cool. Setsuna-mama's really smart about a lot of
things and Michiru-mama's just such a cool person. I really admire
her and I wish I could be just like her. And Haruka-papa's so nice
to me and," and Hotaru's cheeks began to grow red, "well, if she was
a guy, I think I'd be having some dreams about her I'm not supposed
to be having."
"I know what you mean," Usa replied, her own cheeks flushing.
"You think Haruka-papa's sexy?"
"Not her. I meant," and Usa stopped self-consciously. "Um,
never mind. How does your real Dad feel about you living there?"
Hotaru looked down. "My real dad died."
"Professor Tomoe? When?"
"About eight months ago, during the battle with Sailor
Galaxia." She noticed the stricken look on Usa's face. "Dad never
did fully recover from being a host for Pharaoh 90's advance guard.
He hung on for a while, but when Sailor Galaxia stole everybody's
star seeds, well - - the separation was just too much for him."
"Hotaru-chan, I'm so sorry."
"At least he's not in pain anymore," Hotaru replied sadly.
"His last few months weren't good ones."
The girls walked along in sober silence.
"Usa-chan," Hotaru began cautiously. "When is this - -
mysterious event supposed to happen? The one you came into the past
to fight?"
"Soon; that's all I can really tell you. I wish it were
longer. I wanted to come back months before it happened, but I kind
of goofed with the time key. I want to spend as much time with you
as I can."
Hotaru smiled.
"Didn't Sailor Pluto help you go back in time?" Hotaru asked.
"She's not around anymore," Usa admitted. "She went on a
mission about three of my years ago into the past and she never came
back."
"Do you think she's dead?"
"I don't know. Nobody seems to know. I hope she's not, but I
just don't know." Usa glanced at Hotaru and noticed a look of
extreme sadness. "What's wrong?"
"I was thinking about Setsuna-mama," Hotaru said. "Now I know
what you mean about knowing other people's futures."
"Yeah. Sucks, doesn't it?"
The two girls turned the corner and ran directly into a group
of four boys. The boys, loitering by the wall of the school,
instantly straightened up upon seeing Hotaru.
"Hey, it's the demon-girl," chuckled one of the boys. The
others broke out into cruel smiles.
"Come on, Usa," Hotaru whispered to her companion. The
embarrassed girl tried to sidestep them, but one boy shifted into her
path.
"Eat any children today, demon-girl?" one of them jabbed. "Or
are you saving them for lunch?"
"Leave her alone!" Usa demanded.
"Hey, hot stuff," one of the boys leered at her, while the
others admired her womanly figure. "Don't you look fine. Why are
you traveling with the demon-girl? She cast a spell on you or
something?"
"Maybe she needs to be rescued," grinned another.
"Hey, what's with the pink hair? Demon-girl do that to you?"
"Leave us alone!" Usa warned angrily. "I'm giving you fair
warning!"
"Move aside," the group leader said, gently shoving his mates
aside. "I'm about to rescue me a damsel in distress." Cruel laughter
came from the gang. "And she's going to be soooo grateful."
The four boys advanced on Usa and Hotaru. Desperately, Hotaru
searched the area for someone in authority that could help them while
Usa stood her ground bravely.
Continued in Chapter 5
Part Four: "Secrets"
By Bill K.
The four Amazoness Senshi walked down the palace corridor
leading to the royal receiving chamber. Sailor Ceres glanced
nervously at Sailor Juno.
"What do you suppose the Queen summoned us for?" Ceres
ventured.
"We're in trouble," scowled Sailor Vesta.
"Maybe not," Juno replied.
"She's not going to summon us to the royal receiving chamber
unless we're in trouble," Vesta maintained.
"Well if we are in trouble, it's probably for something YOU
did," Ceres snipped.
"It's probably for something you did," mocked Vesta. "Man, you
are such a priss!"
"Would you two stop," sighed Juno. "Pallas, do you know
anything about this?"
Sailor Pallas smiled vacantly. "We're going on a trip."
"We are? Where?"
She looked at Juno. "Pallas is going to make a pretty dress
for her doll," she said happily. Then she sobered. "If Pallas ever
learns how to sew." Vesta rolled her eyes.
Entering the chamber, the quartet saw both Queen Serenity and
King Endymion sitting on their thrones. The elder senshi flanked
them and Artemis, Luna and Diana sat to the right. Suppressing their
nervousness, the four entered and knelt before the king and queen.
"I wish you wouldn't make them do that," they heard Serenity
whisper to Sailor Venus.
"It's good for them," Venus whispered back. "It teaches them
humility."
"And what would you know about humility?" Serenity whispered.
"Please rise," Endymion said and the quartet complied. "The
Princess has run away from home."
The four younger senshi all gasped.
"Why?" Vesta asked.
"Vesta, it's none of our business!" hissed Ceres.
"No, it's all right," Serenity smiled. "My daughter felt it
was necessary to prove herself worthy of being Sailor Moon. Of
course she doesn't have to do such a thing, but she feels she does."
"Where did she go?" Juno asked.
"The past. She's gone to prevent a specific incident from
happening," Endymion said.
"Pardon me, Your Majesty," Juno said quickly, "but isn't that
dangerous? The Princess could change the past."
"The possibility exists," Endymion nodded. "How great a
possibility depends upon her."
"Your majesty," Vesta interrupted. "Our sacred duty is to
protect The Princess. Please send us back into the past so we can do
that."
Serenity smiled. "Your enthusiasm is gratifying. It makes me
think I've chosen my daughter's senshi well. Your request is
granted."
"But please remember one thing," warned Sailor Mercury. "If
you four go into the past, you make it that much more likely the past
will be changed. You must be careful to tell no one about what
happens in their future - - not even Sailor Moon or the senshi."
"We understand, Sensei Mercury-sama," Juno replied.
Serenity glanced at the cats. On cue, Diana jumped to the
floor and scampered over to the throne. She jumped into Serenity's
lap and transferred a ruby and gold key from her mouth to Serenity's
palm.
"This key will be your means to journey through time. Diana
will show you how to use it." Serenity handed the key to Juno.
"Um, Your Majesty," Ceres asked hesitantly. "Are we to prevent
The Princess from doing what she intends to do?"
"No," Serenity said. "Your jobs as senshi are to protect and
support Sailor Chibi-Moon. You must not impede her, nor must you
smother her in your zeal to protect her. You must at all times defer
to her, even if you disagree with her intentions. Her growth into
Sailor Moon will be achieved through many things. She will grow from
victories she has fought for, as well as defeats she must endure.
But she will grow most of all from the faith and support of her
senshi."
"Yeah, if she'll let us," muttered Vesta. Ceres nudged her
impatiently.
"You must also have faith in your ability to win her over,"
Serenity said. "Sometimes the deepest friendships are the hardest
ones to establish at first." Serenity glanced back at Sailor Mars
and Mars returned her smile.
"Yes, Your Majesty," they replied, but their elders could see
they didn't quite understand.
"Goodbye," Endymion told them, "and good fortune with your
mission."
The quartet bowed and headed out. As they left, Pallas turned
to Juno, smiled, and said, "Told you."
* * * *
"Ami?" Mrs. Mizuno called out as she entered the door. "I'm
home!"
Finding the odor of hot food in the front room, the tired
doctor slipped on her slippers and entered the kitchen, expecting to
find her daughter serving two plates of whatever she'd cooked for
dinner. However, she didn't expect company.
"Why . . .?" the woman remarked, surprised by the timid little
girl sitting at the table with Ami. "Well who is this?"
"Mother, please meet Sakiko," Ami said pleasantly. The girl
bowed meekly. She stared at Ami's mother with shy suspicion and
didn't utter a word.
"I'm pleased to meet you," Mrs. Mizuno smiled. She seemed only
slightly less imposing when she smiled and Sakiko turned to Ami for
reassurance. "Is Sakiko a friend of yours?"
"Yes," Ami nodded. "Do you remember when I went to that resort
about two years ago with Usagi and Rei? Well, Sakiko is the daughter
of the owner of the resort and we became good friends during my stay
there."
"That's nice," smiled Mrs. Mizuno. "Are you visiting Tokyo
with your father?"
Sakiko immediately tensed. Ami touched her mother's hand to
get her attention.
"Mother," Ami said, "may we go into the other room. There are
a few things I must explain to you."
"A-All right," she nodded. They started to leave, but a
plaintive voice stopped them.
"Ami?" Sakiko said, openly uneasy about Ami's departure.
"I'll just be in the other room, Sakiko-chan," Ami said,
holding the girl's hand. "It'll just be for a few minutes. There's
no need to be frightened. There's nothing here that will hurt you."
Sakiko clearly wasn't enamored with the prospect, but didn't
protest further. Ami ushered her mother into the living room.
"Mother, there are a few things you need to know about Sakiko,"
Ami said. "First, we think her father may be dead."
"Oh, dear," gasped Mrs. Mizuno. "That poor child. Is her
mother gone, too?" Ami nodded. "Oh, dear. What happened?"
"That's - - still being looked into," Ami replied. "There's
something else you need to know. Sakiko has telekinetic powers."
Her mother looked at Ami skeptically. "You've seen this?"
"Yes. Sakiko may have the most powerful telekinesis ever
known."
"Really? That's amazing. Just how powerful are we talking
about?"
Ami seemed reluctant to answer. "Did you hear about what
happened downtown tonight?"
"Yes, the news said there was some sort of monster that caused
massive . . ." and the woman halted, realizing what her daughter was
getting at. "That little girl did all that?"
"She was upset and afraid, Mother."
"Have you called the police?"
"Mother, Sakiko's not a criminal. She's a scared and lonely
little girl who's suffered a trauma."
"I'm not saying she's a criminal, Ami. But she's clearly
dangerous. It's what the authorities are there to deal with."
"And what would they do, Mother? Take her to some lab and turn
her into some sort of test animal? What kind of life is that for a
little girl?"
"And what do you propose, Ami? That we adopt her?"
"I'm only asking that she stay here until we can sort out
what's happened and find out if she has any relatives we can place
her with," Ami argued.
"We?" her mother queried. "Ami, answer me one question - -
truthfully - - is Usagi involved in this?"
Ami looked down. "Peripherally," she admitted squeamishly.
Her mother emitted a tired sigh. "Very well. Just be sure you
realize the burden you're taking on here. This is a little girl, not
a lost puppy . . ."
The loud crash of a dinner plate came from the kitchen.
Alarmed, both women raced into the kitchen. They found Sakiko
sitting in her chair. Her broken dinner plate and all the food on it
was splattered on the floor near her.
"I'm sorry," Sakiko offered, then cringed as if she expected to
be struck. Her heart melting, Ami went over and knelt down next to
Sakiko.
"Did you try to pick it up?" Ami asked. Sakiko nodded
silently. "And it was a little too heavy for you?" Again she
nodded. "Are you hurt?" Sakiko shook her head. "Well, that's the
important thing. Now let's clean up this mess. Do you want to
help?"
Sakiko's eyes widened when she realized she wouldn't be
punished. The edges of her mouth curled up and she nodded
enthusiastically.
Mrs. Mizuno looked on, admiring the deft way her daughter
handled this unfortunate little girl. At the same time, she couldn't
help worrying that they were involved in something neither was
equipped to handle.
* * * *
Strewn all over Makoto's living room were four fifteen-year-old
girls. Curled up on the sofa was Ceres. Nestled in an armchair was
Pallas. Juno and Vesta roughed it on the floor in sleeping bags.
Makoto had offered her bed to the four, but Juno, Ceres and Vesta
seemed quite horrified by the thought of displacing her. Pallas was
disappointed, but reluctantly fell in line and the Amazons found
places in the living room instead. There they slept until the first
dawn of morning.
Jun-Jun noticed it first: the pleasant odor wafting gently
through the room. Her nose seemed to wiggle as the scent tickled her
nostrils. An eye leisurely opened. It took her a few moments to
remember she was in the twentieth century, because that heavenly odor
was just so pleasant and so familiar. She kept still in her bag,
taking it in as a smile spread across her lips. As she lay there,
she noticed Ves-Ves begin to stir.
"Shh," she whispered, bringing Ves-Ves to full waking. "Smell
that?"
Ves-Ves sniffed and her eyes lit up. Rising up onto her hip,
she reached over and picked up a throw pillow Palla-Palla had
knocked from the chair during the night. Rudely she flung it at
Cere-Cere, bouncing the pillow off the girl's crimson head.
"Hey!" howled Cere-Cere, wrenched awake. "Ves-Ves!"
"Take a sniff," Ves-Ves grinned.
Reluctantly Cere-Cere complied. Instantly her anger
dissipated.
"Sensei Jupiter-sama's cooking!" she grinned.
Makoto turned from her duties at the kitchen range and glanced
over her shoulder. Framed in the doorway were four Amazons with huge
smiles and hopeful looks on their faces.
"Well, Mom always said the hardest secret to keep is that
you're cooking breakfast," Makoto smiled.
"Pardon us, please, Sensei Jupiter-sama," Cere-Cere said as
politely as she could. "We don't mean to impose . . ."
"It's no imposition," chuckled Makoto. "I made enough for
everybody. Get cleaned up and it'll be ready when you get back."
"Goody goody goody!" Palla-Palla squealed as the four teens
scampered off.
The table was set for five and Makoto and the Amazons sat down
together. Palla-Palla reached for her plate and instantly had her
hand smacked by Cere-Cere. Makoto noticed the others waiting
anxiously.
"Well go ahead," Makoto prodded them.
"We're not supposed to eat before an elder does," Jun-Jun told
her humbly.
"I'm not THAT much older than you four," Makoto grinned.
"Forgive us, Sensei Jupiter-sama," Jun-Jun said. "We can't
help but think of you as your future self."
"Yeah, you've changed so little," Palla-Palla smiled.
"Palla-Palla!" hissed Cere-Cere.
"It's all right," Makoto smiled. "I take it as a compliment."
"No, it's just that we were warned by Sensei Mercury-sama not
to tell anyone about the future - - not even the senshi."
"Oh," Makoto replied. "Well, that's pretty good advice if it
came from Ami. But as for the rest of this, you are guests here, not
students. That means I am Makoto, not Sensei Jupiter-sama, and you
four are free to relax and do what you like, so long as you don't
abuse my hospitality. OK?" The girls nodded. "Good. Now let's
eat. Your breakfast is getting cold."
She noticed Palla-Palla hung back until the others started
eating, probably so she wouldn't risk getting smacked again. As she
ate, Makoto observed this strange crew. She was struck by how
different they were from the corrupted children they'd been under
Neherenia, and yet core personality traits seemed to shine through
again.
"So, do you girls like being senshi?" Makoto ventured.
"Yes, Sensei," then Cere-Cere caught herself, "um, Makoto.
It's a tremendous honor to serve the royal family and very exciting
being in the palace."
"Yeah, and our senshi powers are just too cool," grinned
Ves-Ves.
"And it gives us a chance to make up for what we did in the
past," Jun-Jun added.
"Well, that's very noble," Makoto told her. "But everybody
knows you four were just being used by Neherenia, don't they?"
"Well, not everyone seems as forgiving of our past as Queen
Serenity," Cere-Cere replied. "Of course, you've been great to
us - - um, will be great to us. And Sensei Mercury-sama accepts that
we've changed."
"Sensei Venus-sama is a little rough on us," noted Ves-Ves.
"But she's just doing that to make us the best senshi we can be, so I
can respect it. And she knows so much!"
"What about Mars?" asked Makoto.
"She was a little suspicious of us at first," Jun-Jun admitted.
"But the Queen helped us win her over."
"Yeah, Usagi's good at that," grinned Makoto. "So, do you and
Chibi-Usa get along well?"
"Not at all," Palla-Palla chirped through a mouthful of
sausage. "She hates us."
* * * *
"Take care, Hotaru," Michiru said, waiving to Hotaru as the
girl headed out for school. "We'll see you tonight. Is Usa still in
bed?"
"Yes, Michiru-mama," Hotaru replied. "I tried waking her once,
but she looked so peaceful I thought I'd let her sleep."
"Sounds like someone I know," Haruka joked. "I hear tell you
can't wake Usagi up with an air-horn." She stuck her head up over
Michiru's shoulder. "You come right home after school now. I don't
want you out chasing after all the pretty girls."
"Oh, Papa!" huffed Hotaru.
"HOTARRUUUUUUUU!" everyone heard Usa shriek from upstairs. It
was followed by such a loud clatter that Haruka and Michiru thought
the girl was wrestling with a trio of grizzly bears. Moments later a
fifteen-year-old pink-topped streak with patches of green came
tearing down the staircase. She nearly tripped on the fifth step,
but managed to somehow keep her balance. "I'll walk you to school!"
cried Usa and she raced out the door after Hotaru.
"That would be nice, Usa-chan," Hotaru smiled as if nothing
were wrong.
Haruka and Michiru glanced at each other, bemused.
"We can spend more time together after today," Hotaru told Usa
as they walked. With nothing else to wear, Usa had borrowed one of
Michiru's dresses, while Hotaru was in her school uniform. "Break
starts tomorrow. I think the high school is already out. They're so
lucky."
"I'd like that," Usa smiled. "So how do you like living with
Haruka and Michiru and Setsuna?
"They're cool. Setsuna-mama's really smart about a lot of
things and Michiru-mama's just such a cool person. I really admire
her and I wish I could be just like her. And Haruka-papa's so nice
to me and," and Hotaru's cheeks began to grow red, "well, if she was
a guy, I think I'd be having some dreams about her I'm not supposed
to be having."
"I know what you mean," Usa replied, her own cheeks flushing.
"You think Haruka-papa's sexy?"
"Not her. I meant," and Usa stopped self-consciously. "Um,
never mind. How does your real Dad feel about you living there?"
Hotaru looked down. "My real dad died."
"Professor Tomoe? When?"
"About eight months ago, during the battle with Sailor
Galaxia." She noticed the stricken look on Usa's face. "Dad never
did fully recover from being a host for Pharaoh 90's advance guard.
He hung on for a while, but when Sailor Galaxia stole everybody's
star seeds, well - - the separation was just too much for him."
"Hotaru-chan, I'm so sorry."
"At least he's not in pain anymore," Hotaru replied sadly.
"His last few months weren't good ones."
The girls walked along in sober silence.
"Usa-chan," Hotaru began cautiously. "When is this - -
mysterious event supposed to happen? The one you came into the past
to fight?"
"Soon; that's all I can really tell you. I wish it were
longer. I wanted to come back months before it happened, but I kind
of goofed with the time key. I want to spend as much time with you
as I can."
Hotaru smiled.
"Didn't Sailor Pluto help you go back in time?" Hotaru asked.
"She's not around anymore," Usa admitted. "She went on a
mission about three of my years ago into the past and she never came
back."
"Do you think she's dead?"
"I don't know. Nobody seems to know. I hope she's not, but I
just don't know." Usa glanced at Hotaru and noticed a look of
extreme sadness. "What's wrong?"
"I was thinking about Setsuna-mama," Hotaru said. "Now I know
what you mean about knowing other people's futures."
"Yeah. Sucks, doesn't it?"
The two girls turned the corner and ran directly into a group
of four boys. The boys, loitering by the wall of the school,
instantly straightened up upon seeing Hotaru.
"Hey, it's the demon-girl," chuckled one of the boys. The
others broke out into cruel smiles.
"Come on, Usa," Hotaru whispered to her companion. The
embarrassed girl tried to sidestep them, but one boy shifted into her
path.
"Eat any children today, demon-girl?" one of them jabbed. "Or
are you saving them for lunch?"
"Leave her alone!" Usa demanded.
"Hey, hot stuff," one of the boys leered at her, while the
others admired her womanly figure. "Don't you look fine. Why are
you traveling with the demon-girl? She cast a spell on you or
something?"
"Maybe she needs to be rescued," grinned another.
"Hey, what's with the pink hair? Demon-girl do that to you?"
"Leave us alone!" Usa warned angrily. "I'm giving you fair
warning!"
"Move aside," the group leader said, gently shoving his mates
aside. "I'm about to rescue me a damsel in distress." Cruel laughter
came from the gang. "And she's going to be soooo grateful."
The four boys advanced on Usa and Hotaru. Desperately, Hotaru
searched the area for someone in authority that could help them while
Usa stood her ground bravely.
Continued in Chapter 5
