Here is part five. Read and review please.
I put a poll up at the message board about whether or not Gloria should find out who Emiko really is. Let me know what you think either in a review or at the poll.
E-mail me at AngelRaye2@aol.com
Come and see the Chibi Senshi at http://www.craiger.dns2go.com/chibiscouts/index.html
The message board had to be moved to a new address. Come and check it out at www.ice-rose.net/chibiscouts.
I am having a fan art contest to celebrate the site's 10,000th hit since September of 2001. Please check out the site or the message board for details.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. With the exception of Rini I own the Chibi Senshi.
Emiko
Part Five
By
Angel Raye
Kadiri was sitting on the couch with Madelyn looking at a book together. Madelyn was snuggled up against Kadiri like she usually did with her mother. She didn't know who Kadiri was but she really liked her. "Kadiri," she said pausing from reading the book.
"What is it Madelyn," Kadiri asked.
"I wish you could stay forever," Madelyn replied.
"You do," exclaimed Kadiri.
"Yes," Madelyn told her. "I like you a lot."
"Well I like you a lot too," Kadiri stated as she hugged the little girl. "I wish I could stay forever but I can't. Would it be a comfort to you to know that one day we shall meet again?"
"I guess so," Madelyn sighed. "But I understand that you have to go back home. It's just when I am with you I feel like I'm with Mama."
Hotaru had been listening to all of this and she smiled. She was glad to see her two daughters getting along so well with each other. She had a bright future to look forward to and Kadiri was proof of that. She saw a lot of herself in Kadiri who had apparently inherited her mother's gentle personality. Hotaru looked down at her watch. "Madelyn it's time to get ready for bed now," she gently reminded her.
"Already," Madelyn pouted.
"Yes," Hotaru replied. "I'll get the bath running for you."
Madelyn sighed and followed her mother into the bathroom. Kadiri chuckled. She remembered one time when she was three and didn't want to take her bath. She snuck to Madelyn's quarters and hid there while everyone looked for her. Amy had finally found her and returned her to Hotaru.
Hotaru came back in. "What do you think of your Onee as a child," she asked.
"She's a sweet kid," replied Kadiri. "Very well-behaved too."
"She has her moments," Hotaru laughed. "But overall she is very good. Setsuna and I were the luckiest where the kids' behaviors were concerned. Mina, Lita, Amy, Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama have their hands full."
A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Hotaru got up to answer it. It was Mina. "Mina," Kadiri exclaimed in concern. "Is something wrong with Emiko?"
"Oh she's fine, sleeping like an angel," Mina assured her. "I just have a favor to ask you."
"What can I do for you," asked Kadiri.
"Asai and I have tickets to a show tomorrow night," Mina replied. "We've had them for a month now. Setsuna is going to come and baby-sit Gloria. I was wondering if you would help out with Emiko? Since Gloria is such a handful as it is, I'd hate to run her ragged with a lively four-year-old."
"Say no more," Kadiri laughed. "I'll be more then happy to look after Emiko."
"Thank you," Mina said in relief. "Well I had better get back to the girls. Gloria has been on a bit of a tear tonight. Who knows what she may hatch up?"
Kadiri and Hotaru chuckled as Mina left. Hotaru then turned to Kadiri. "Are you sure you want to go over there with Gloria tomorrow night?"
Kadiri waved off the concern. "Setsuna will be responsible for Gloria. I can handle Emiko."
"Speaking of handfuls," Hotaru mused. "I really wonder what has gotten into Ariel. She has also been on a tear the last few days."
"I don't know," Kadiri sighed. "Is this not like her?"
"She was always a bit of a handful," Hotaru admitted. "But since she has been so traumatized these last few months her mischievous side hasn't been seen. Therefore Ariel has been very well behaved lately. But all of the sudden she is being naughty again."
"Well if Amy is the same now as she is in the future then she won't put up with misbehavior," Kadiri stated thinking about how Amy dealt with Arisa and Ayami when they misbehaved.
"You are so right," Hotaru chuckled as she stood up. "Well I guess I need to check on Madelyn now." Kadiri nodded and watched her mother head back toward the bathroom. Then she sat back to relax. If she was going to be babysitting tomorrow then she needed to get her rest tonight.
The next day was Saturday and it was one where the girls did not have school. The Senshi still had various duties throughout the palace so Kadiri decided to keep an eye on Emiko along with Madelyn. Emiko was happily carrying the teddy bear that Gloria had loaned her. "Onee-san is nice sometimes," she informed Kadiri and Madelyn.
"I'm sure she is," Kadiri laughed. She had heard of the many antics Gloria had performed as a child. But everyone knew how caring she really was. She smiled down at both girls. "What would you two like to do right now?"
"Let's go to the palace library," Madelyn pleaded. "There are some good children's books there. A lot of them were from when our mamas were little girls."
"Is that okay with you Emiko," Kadiri asked.
"Yes," chirped Emiko as she clutched the teddy bear to her chest. So the three of them headed to the library together. They weren't surprised to see little Ariel was in there looking in the Science section.
"Ariel," Madelyn dashed over. "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't allowed to come here alone since the Cardians."
"Mommy told me I can come here with one of the Senshi," Ariel replied as she climbed down from the ladder. "I'm here with Aunt Lita. She wanted to look at some books on flower arranging and offered to take me with her."
"I'm here with Kadiri," Madelyn told her. She noticed Luna P hovering around Ariel and was immediately on her guard. "You have Luna P with you."
"Rini told me I could have it for a while," Ariel stated.
"Ah there you are Ariel," Lita came up. "Are you about ready?" Ariel shrugged her shoulders. "Well hurry up because I have got to get out to my restaurant."
"I can keep an eye on her," Kadiri offered as she walked up with Emiko. Ariel glared at Emiko.
"Thanks but she has been here long enough," Lita replied. She smiled at Emiko and took hold of the teddy bear's paw. "And what do we have here? I made this you know."
"Onee-san is letting me play with this," Emiko chirped as she held it up.
"You are just too precious," sighed Lita as she remembered Daisy at this age. She hugged Emiko close to her.
Ariel couldn't take it anymore. She began to dribble Luna P. "LUNA P HENGE!" Before anyone could react Luna P turned into a giant hamster ball with Emiko trapped inside. Emiko began to howl in fright.
[Author's note: Thank you Starlight Angel for the idea of changing Luna P into a giant hamster ball.]
"Ariel," Lita scolded. "Change that back now."
"I don't have too," Ariel shouted and she took off before Lita could stop her. Her jealousy of Emiko had taken her over.
"I want out," Emiko howled as she tried to balance in the ball to keep it from rolling.
"Hang on Emiko," Kadiri called as she struggled to get the ball open. Madelyn just stood there with her mouth agape. Lita sighed and opened her communicator to call Rini, Serenity and Amy.
Gloria and Annika were just coming back from town. Their parents had given them permission to go to their favorite shop. Annika had found a stuffed cat that she had fallen in love with while Gloria bought a new heart pin and some different colored pens. The two had also enjoyed looking at the Christmas decorations that had been put up all over Crystal Tokyo. "What did you buy the blank cassette tapes for," Annika asked Gloria curiously.
"I'll tell you later," replied Gloria with the familiar sparkle in her eye. Since her parents were going to be out tonight Gloria had a little trick she planned on playing on Emiko. For that she needed the tapes. She decided to change the subject before Annika started asking too many questions. "You know my parents are going to that show tonight don't you?"
"Yes," Annika stated. "Is Aunt Setsuna going to stay with you and Emiko tonight?"
"Kadiri is going to watch Emiko," Gloria told her. "So I can have Aunt Setsuna to myself."
"Gloria," Ariel came running up. "Guess what I just did?"
"What did you just do Ariel," asked Gloria. With giggles Ariel told Gloria what she just did with Luna P in the library. Gloria's gasped as her eyes widened in astonishment. "You did that?"
"Yes," Ariel replied. "And I ran off before Aunt Lita could make me change it back."
"You're going to be in a lot of trouble," Annika pointed out as a sweat drop appeared on her head. Since Amy was her mentor she knew that there was little tolerance for poor behavior.
"Oh be quiet Annika," Gloria grumbled. She then turned back to Ariel. "You know if you keep this up you and I could be prank partners."
"I know," Ariel chuckled.
Annika sighed and groaned. She then looked up and saw a very angry Amy coming toward them. "Uh Ariel," she began but she didn't get any further.
"Ariel," Amy's angry voice cut through the laughter. Ariel froze when she heard her mother. Putting on her sweet, innocent smile she turned around.
"Hi Mommy," she chirped in her sweetest voice.
"Don't pull that innocent look on me," Amy sternly told her daughter as she took her by the arm. "I just got a call from Aunt Lita. Now why did you use Luna P to trap Emiko in a hamster ball?"
"Because I felt like," Ariel replied sullenly. Amy gave her a swat across her bottom. Tears formed in her eyes.
"It was wrong of you," Amy pointed out. "Emiko is younger then you and you scared her to death. You will apologize to her and then you will be sitting in the corner for a while."
"But Mommy," Ariel protested as Amy led her away.
"No buts," Amy firmly stated. "You will be punished."
Annika turned to Gloria. "Sometimes I don't know who is worse," she exclaimed. "You or Ariel."
"Oh I am," Gloria proclaimed thinking about her own pranks. "There is no doubt about that."
Mina smiled at Emiko who had just fallen asleep. Kadiri had brought the crying child to Mina's office once they freed her from the giant hamster ball. Mina had calmed the little girl down. Once she was calm Emiko played while Mina finished up the training schedule for the next couple of weeks. Mina had decided to take the child back to their quarters for a nap but first she wanted to stop and see Amy. She carried Emiko who, exhausted from her earlier fright, fell asleep in her arms.
She arrived at Amy's quarters and was let in by Amy herself. "Mina," Amy greeted her. "I want to apologize for Ariel's behavior."
"Think nothing of it," Mina waved off the apology. "How many times have I had to apologize for Gloria?"
"Good point," Amy laughed. She smiled at the sleeping Emiko. "How sweet."
"She is," Mina sighed. She then turned to Amy. "I wouldn't be too hard on Ariel if I were you."
"Now why would you say that," Amy asked. "My daughter trapped your future daughter."
"But it looks like Ariel is coming back," Mina pointed out. "It has been a long time since you had to punish her for mischief."
"You are so right," Amy sighed with a hint of a smile. "When Ariel had turned herself into a three year old last month I realized how much I missed that impish side of her. I guess she is finally starting to come back."
"Shows what a good therapist you are," Mina stated.
Amy blushed. "Thank you," she said softly. "But I still let her get away with it."
"I understand," Mina laughed. She glanced down at Emiko. "Well I had better put this one down for a nap. I'll see you later." Amy watched as Mina left and then went to Ariel's room. Ariel was sitting on her bed with a grumpy look on her face.
"Looks like someone needs a hug," Amy stated as she sat down in the rocking chair. Without saying a word Ariel climbed up on Amy's lap and the two hugged each other. Amy was glad that her daughter was coming back to her.
That evening Setsuna and Kadiri came over to watch Gloria and Emiko. Like all the other quarters Mina's was decorated for Christmas. Emiko was having fun looking at all the ornaments on the Christmas tree. "Onee-san," Emiko chirped as she reached for one ornament. "This looks like Artemis."
"It's suppose to be Artemis," Gloria muttered. She hated having her quality time with Setsuna interrupted. "Don't touch it. It might break." Emiko pouted and drew her hand back.
"Gloria," Setsuna's gentle voice spoke up. "Don't be so hard. She's just a little girl."
"I know, I know," grumbled Gloria.
"Come on Emiko," Kadiri picked the little girl up. "It's time for bed."
"Already," Emiko griped. Mina had bathed her before she left so Kadiri was relieved that she didn't have to deal with that.
"Say goodnight," Kadiri told her.
"Goodnight Onee-san, goodnight Aunt Setsuna," Emiko called. Gloria only grunted while Setsuna bade the little girl goodnight back. Once they were gone Setsuna turned to Gloria.
"You really should be nice to her Gloria," she stated. "This little girl obviously adores you."
"She's a pest," Gloria muttered. "Besides I am letting her play with some of my stuffed animals."
"That's not enough," Setsuna replied. "Emiko wants you to play with her."
"Humph," Gloria grunted. She flopped back onto the couch. Setsuna only sighed and shook her head. There was no reasoning with Gloria when she was in this mood. After a while Kadiri came back.
"Is she all settled," Setsuna asked.
"She is," Kadiri replied. "Hopefully she'll be asleep soon."
"I'll be back," Gloria jumped up and darted back toward her room.
"What's she doing," Kadiri asked.
"I'm not sure," Setsuna sighed. She had only a sketchy idea of what the girl was up too.
Gloria chuckled silently as she crept into Emiko's room. Earlier that day Gloria had hid the tape recorder under the bed. She had made a recording on it with the intent of scaring Emiko for a joke. Emiko was half asleep already and didn't even see Gloria crawling in on all fours. Gloria quietly crawled over to the tape recorder and turned it on. Then just as quietly she crawled back out of the room again. Suppressing a giggle Gloria joined Setsuna and Kadiri in the living room and waited to see what would happen.
Emiko was awakened suddenly by a creepy sounding voice laughing. She jolted into a sitting position. "Nani," she squeaked clutching Moon Cat to her chest.
"A pretty little girl," the voice cackled. "Come and nibble at my candy house."
"The witch from Hansel and Gretel, " Emiko gasped. Gloria had read her that story this afternoon.
"Come and eat at my house and then you can go into my pot." The voice added.
Emiko gave a terrified scream and jumped out of bed screaming, "MOMMY!"
To be continued...
I put a poll up at the message board about whether or not Gloria should find out who Emiko really is. Let me know what you think either in a review or at the poll.
E-mail me at AngelRaye2@aol.com
Come and see the Chibi Senshi at http://www.craiger.dns2go.com/chibiscouts/index.html
The message board had to be moved to a new address. Come and check it out at www.ice-rose.net/chibiscouts.
I am having a fan art contest to celebrate the site's 10,000th hit since September of 2001. Please check out the site or the message board for details.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. With the exception of Rini I own the Chibi Senshi.
Emiko
Part Five
By
Angel Raye
Kadiri was sitting on the couch with Madelyn looking at a book together. Madelyn was snuggled up against Kadiri like she usually did with her mother. She didn't know who Kadiri was but she really liked her. "Kadiri," she said pausing from reading the book.
"What is it Madelyn," Kadiri asked.
"I wish you could stay forever," Madelyn replied.
"You do," exclaimed Kadiri.
"Yes," Madelyn told her. "I like you a lot."
"Well I like you a lot too," Kadiri stated as she hugged the little girl. "I wish I could stay forever but I can't. Would it be a comfort to you to know that one day we shall meet again?"
"I guess so," Madelyn sighed. "But I understand that you have to go back home. It's just when I am with you I feel like I'm with Mama."
Hotaru had been listening to all of this and she smiled. She was glad to see her two daughters getting along so well with each other. She had a bright future to look forward to and Kadiri was proof of that. She saw a lot of herself in Kadiri who had apparently inherited her mother's gentle personality. Hotaru looked down at her watch. "Madelyn it's time to get ready for bed now," she gently reminded her.
"Already," Madelyn pouted.
"Yes," Hotaru replied. "I'll get the bath running for you."
Madelyn sighed and followed her mother into the bathroom. Kadiri chuckled. She remembered one time when she was three and didn't want to take her bath. She snuck to Madelyn's quarters and hid there while everyone looked for her. Amy had finally found her and returned her to Hotaru.
Hotaru came back in. "What do you think of your Onee as a child," she asked.
"She's a sweet kid," replied Kadiri. "Very well-behaved too."
"She has her moments," Hotaru laughed. "But overall she is very good. Setsuna and I were the luckiest where the kids' behaviors were concerned. Mina, Lita, Amy, Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama have their hands full."
A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Hotaru got up to answer it. It was Mina. "Mina," Kadiri exclaimed in concern. "Is something wrong with Emiko?"
"Oh she's fine, sleeping like an angel," Mina assured her. "I just have a favor to ask you."
"What can I do for you," asked Kadiri.
"Asai and I have tickets to a show tomorrow night," Mina replied. "We've had them for a month now. Setsuna is going to come and baby-sit Gloria. I was wondering if you would help out with Emiko? Since Gloria is such a handful as it is, I'd hate to run her ragged with a lively four-year-old."
"Say no more," Kadiri laughed. "I'll be more then happy to look after Emiko."
"Thank you," Mina said in relief. "Well I had better get back to the girls. Gloria has been on a bit of a tear tonight. Who knows what she may hatch up?"
Kadiri and Hotaru chuckled as Mina left. Hotaru then turned to Kadiri. "Are you sure you want to go over there with Gloria tomorrow night?"
Kadiri waved off the concern. "Setsuna will be responsible for Gloria. I can handle Emiko."
"Speaking of handfuls," Hotaru mused. "I really wonder what has gotten into Ariel. She has also been on a tear the last few days."
"I don't know," Kadiri sighed. "Is this not like her?"
"She was always a bit of a handful," Hotaru admitted. "But since she has been so traumatized these last few months her mischievous side hasn't been seen. Therefore Ariel has been very well behaved lately. But all of the sudden she is being naughty again."
"Well if Amy is the same now as she is in the future then she won't put up with misbehavior," Kadiri stated thinking about how Amy dealt with Arisa and Ayami when they misbehaved.
"You are so right," Hotaru chuckled as she stood up. "Well I guess I need to check on Madelyn now." Kadiri nodded and watched her mother head back toward the bathroom. Then she sat back to relax. If she was going to be babysitting tomorrow then she needed to get her rest tonight.
The next day was Saturday and it was one where the girls did not have school. The Senshi still had various duties throughout the palace so Kadiri decided to keep an eye on Emiko along with Madelyn. Emiko was happily carrying the teddy bear that Gloria had loaned her. "Onee-san is nice sometimes," she informed Kadiri and Madelyn.
"I'm sure she is," Kadiri laughed. She had heard of the many antics Gloria had performed as a child. But everyone knew how caring she really was. She smiled down at both girls. "What would you two like to do right now?"
"Let's go to the palace library," Madelyn pleaded. "There are some good children's books there. A lot of them were from when our mamas were little girls."
"Is that okay with you Emiko," Kadiri asked.
"Yes," chirped Emiko as she clutched the teddy bear to her chest. So the three of them headed to the library together. They weren't surprised to see little Ariel was in there looking in the Science section.
"Ariel," Madelyn dashed over. "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't allowed to come here alone since the Cardians."
"Mommy told me I can come here with one of the Senshi," Ariel replied as she climbed down from the ladder. "I'm here with Aunt Lita. She wanted to look at some books on flower arranging and offered to take me with her."
"I'm here with Kadiri," Madelyn told her. She noticed Luna P hovering around Ariel and was immediately on her guard. "You have Luna P with you."
"Rini told me I could have it for a while," Ariel stated.
"Ah there you are Ariel," Lita came up. "Are you about ready?" Ariel shrugged her shoulders. "Well hurry up because I have got to get out to my restaurant."
"I can keep an eye on her," Kadiri offered as she walked up with Emiko. Ariel glared at Emiko.
"Thanks but she has been here long enough," Lita replied. She smiled at Emiko and took hold of the teddy bear's paw. "And what do we have here? I made this you know."
"Onee-san is letting me play with this," Emiko chirped as she held it up.
"You are just too precious," sighed Lita as she remembered Daisy at this age. She hugged Emiko close to her.
Ariel couldn't take it anymore. She began to dribble Luna P. "LUNA P HENGE!" Before anyone could react Luna P turned into a giant hamster ball with Emiko trapped inside. Emiko began to howl in fright.
[Author's note: Thank you Starlight Angel for the idea of changing Luna P into a giant hamster ball.]
"Ariel," Lita scolded. "Change that back now."
"I don't have too," Ariel shouted and she took off before Lita could stop her. Her jealousy of Emiko had taken her over.
"I want out," Emiko howled as she tried to balance in the ball to keep it from rolling.
"Hang on Emiko," Kadiri called as she struggled to get the ball open. Madelyn just stood there with her mouth agape. Lita sighed and opened her communicator to call Rini, Serenity and Amy.
Gloria and Annika were just coming back from town. Their parents had given them permission to go to their favorite shop. Annika had found a stuffed cat that she had fallen in love with while Gloria bought a new heart pin and some different colored pens. The two had also enjoyed looking at the Christmas decorations that had been put up all over Crystal Tokyo. "What did you buy the blank cassette tapes for," Annika asked Gloria curiously.
"I'll tell you later," replied Gloria with the familiar sparkle in her eye. Since her parents were going to be out tonight Gloria had a little trick she planned on playing on Emiko. For that she needed the tapes. She decided to change the subject before Annika started asking too many questions. "You know my parents are going to that show tonight don't you?"
"Yes," Annika stated. "Is Aunt Setsuna going to stay with you and Emiko tonight?"
"Kadiri is going to watch Emiko," Gloria told her. "So I can have Aunt Setsuna to myself."
"Gloria," Ariel came running up. "Guess what I just did?"
"What did you just do Ariel," asked Gloria. With giggles Ariel told Gloria what she just did with Luna P in the library. Gloria's gasped as her eyes widened in astonishment. "You did that?"
"Yes," Ariel replied. "And I ran off before Aunt Lita could make me change it back."
"You're going to be in a lot of trouble," Annika pointed out as a sweat drop appeared on her head. Since Amy was her mentor she knew that there was little tolerance for poor behavior.
"Oh be quiet Annika," Gloria grumbled. She then turned back to Ariel. "You know if you keep this up you and I could be prank partners."
"I know," Ariel chuckled.
Annika sighed and groaned. She then looked up and saw a very angry Amy coming toward them. "Uh Ariel," she began but she didn't get any further.
"Ariel," Amy's angry voice cut through the laughter. Ariel froze when she heard her mother. Putting on her sweet, innocent smile she turned around.
"Hi Mommy," she chirped in her sweetest voice.
"Don't pull that innocent look on me," Amy sternly told her daughter as she took her by the arm. "I just got a call from Aunt Lita. Now why did you use Luna P to trap Emiko in a hamster ball?"
"Because I felt like," Ariel replied sullenly. Amy gave her a swat across her bottom. Tears formed in her eyes.
"It was wrong of you," Amy pointed out. "Emiko is younger then you and you scared her to death. You will apologize to her and then you will be sitting in the corner for a while."
"But Mommy," Ariel protested as Amy led her away.
"No buts," Amy firmly stated. "You will be punished."
Annika turned to Gloria. "Sometimes I don't know who is worse," she exclaimed. "You or Ariel."
"Oh I am," Gloria proclaimed thinking about her own pranks. "There is no doubt about that."
Mina smiled at Emiko who had just fallen asleep. Kadiri had brought the crying child to Mina's office once they freed her from the giant hamster ball. Mina had calmed the little girl down. Once she was calm Emiko played while Mina finished up the training schedule for the next couple of weeks. Mina had decided to take the child back to their quarters for a nap but first she wanted to stop and see Amy. She carried Emiko who, exhausted from her earlier fright, fell asleep in her arms.
She arrived at Amy's quarters and was let in by Amy herself. "Mina," Amy greeted her. "I want to apologize for Ariel's behavior."
"Think nothing of it," Mina waved off the apology. "How many times have I had to apologize for Gloria?"
"Good point," Amy laughed. She smiled at the sleeping Emiko. "How sweet."
"She is," Mina sighed. She then turned to Amy. "I wouldn't be too hard on Ariel if I were you."
"Now why would you say that," Amy asked. "My daughter trapped your future daughter."
"But it looks like Ariel is coming back," Mina pointed out. "It has been a long time since you had to punish her for mischief."
"You are so right," Amy sighed with a hint of a smile. "When Ariel had turned herself into a three year old last month I realized how much I missed that impish side of her. I guess she is finally starting to come back."
"Shows what a good therapist you are," Mina stated.
Amy blushed. "Thank you," she said softly. "But I still let her get away with it."
"I understand," Mina laughed. She glanced down at Emiko. "Well I had better put this one down for a nap. I'll see you later." Amy watched as Mina left and then went to Ariel's room. Ariel was sitting on her bed with a grumpy look on her face.
"Looks like someone needs a hug," Amy stated as she sat down in the rocking chair. Without saying a word Ariel climbed up on Amy's lap and the two hugged each other. Amy was glad that her daughter was coming back to her.
That evening Setsuna and Kadiri came over to watch Gloria and Emiko. Like all the other quarters Mina's was decorated for Christmas. Emiko was having fun looking at all the ornaments on the Christmas tree. "Onee-san," Emiko chirped as she reached for one ornament. "This looks like Artemis."
"It's suppose to be Artemis," Gloria muttered. She hated having her quality time with Setsuna interrupted. "Don't touch it. It might break." Emiko pouted and drew her hand back.
"Gloria," Setsuna's gentle voice spoke up. "Don't be so hard. She's just a little girl."
"I know, I know," grumbled Gloria.
"Come on Emiko," Kadiri picked the little girl up. "It's time for bed."
"Already," Emiko griped. Mina had bathed her before she left so Kadiri was relieved that she didn't have to deal with that.
"Say goodnight," Kadiri told her.
"Goodnight Onee-san, goodnight Aunt Setsuna," Emiko called. Gloria only grunted while Setsuna bade the little girl goodnight back. Once they were gone Setsuna turned to Gloria.
"You really should be nice to her Gloria," she stated. "This little girl obviously adores you."
"She's a pest," Gloria muttered. "Besides I am letting her play with some of my stuffed animals."
"That's not enough," Setsuna replied. "Emiko wants you to play with her."
"Humph," Gloria grunted. She flopped back onto the couch. Setsuna only sighed and shook her head. There was no reasoning with Gloria when she was in this mood. After a while Kadiri came back.
"Is she all settled," Setsuna asked.
"She is," Kadiri replied. "Hopefully she'll be asleep soon."
"I'll be back," Gloria jumped up and darted back toward her room.
"What's she doing," Kadiri asked.
"I'm not sure," Setsuna sighed. She had only a sketchy idea of what the girl was up too.
Gloria chuckled silently as she crept into Emiko's room. Earlier that day Gloria had hid the tape recorder under the bed. She had made a recording on it with the intent of scaring Emiko for a joke. Emiko was half asleep already and didn't even see Gloria crawling in on all fours. Gloria quietly crawled over to the tape recorder and turned it on. Then just as quietly she crawled back out of the room again. Suppressing a giggle Gloria joined Setsuna and Kadiri in the living room and waited to see what would happen.
Emiko was awakened suddenly by a creepy sounding voice laughing. She jolted into a sitting position. "Nani," she squeaked clutching Moon Cat to her chest.
"A pretty little girl," the voice cackled. "Come and nibble at my candy house."
"The witch from Hansel and Gretel, " Emiko gasped. Gloria had read her that story this afternoon.
"Come and eat at my house and then you can go into my pot." The voice added.
Emiko gave a terrified scream and jumped out of bed screaming, "MOMMY!"
To be continued...