Here we are onto part seven. This is the last part of the series so I hope you enjoy it. Read and review please.
E-mail me at AngelRaye2@aol.com
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Come and check out the message board at www.ice-rose.net/chibiscouts. It is beginning to take off now
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. The deadline is approaching.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. With the exception of Rini I own the Chibi Senshi.
Emiko
Part Seven
By
Angel Raye
It was three days after Christmas now and Gloria had enjoyed listening to her CDs on her new player. She and Annika had enjoyed the new games that both of them received. Gloria placed her new stuffed dog on the bed and then tried to decide what to do. Emiko had gone to bed now so Gloria couldn't play her music. "I wonder how much longer she is going to stay with us," Gloria asked herself. She didn't understand what was going on or who Emiko was but Gloria just quietly accepted the fact that this kid was here.
Voices came from the living room. Gloria perked up her ears when she realized that there were other voices besides her parents. She went to her bedroom door to listen. "Aunt Serenity and Aunt Lita," Gloria thought as she recognized the voices. She heard her name mentioned and her curiosity rose. She quietly crept out her room and into the hall. She stood where no one could see her so that she could listen.
"So Gloria still doesn't know," Serenity asked.
"Know what," Gloria asked herself.
"I think she's suspicious," Mina replied. "But she doesn't know that Emiko is her sister."
"My sister," Gloria thought in astonishment. She flew into the living room forgetting that she wasn't supposed to be eavesdropping. "What do you mean Emiko is my sister," she demanded.
"Gloria," Mina gasped. "What were you doing listening to our conversation?"
"Never mind that," Gloria shouted. "What do you mean that Emiko is my sister? I don't remember you having her. Is that why she calls you Mommy?"
"Gloria," Lita took the girl's hand. "We didn't want any of you kids to know."
"Why not," Gloria cried. "Why is this such a big secret?"
Serenity turned to Mina. "We might as well tell her," she said. "Before she lets the other children in on this."
"You're right," Mina sighed. She turned to Gloria. "Sit down honey." Gloria sat down, her head spinning from all that she had heard. "Fist of all you need to promise that you will keep this a secret. You must not mention this to any of the other children, including Annika. I know keeping secrets is difficult for you but this is important."
"All right, I promise," Gloria, replied. "Now please tell me what is going on."
"You know that as Senshi we have immortality," Mina began. Gloria nodded her head. "Well of course our husbands don't. Your father isn't going to live forever like you and I will."
"I know that," Gloria exclaimed. "But what does this have to do with Emiko being my sister? Is Dad not her father?"
"No," Mina replied. "Apparently many years in the future all of us Senshi, your generation included will marry again and have more children. Emiko is from the future when you are an adult. Your father is gone by then so I marry again and have Emiko."
"Oh wow," Gloria gasped. Then she asked, "What about Kadiri? Who is she?"
"She's Aunt Hotaru's future daughter," Serenity replied. "She was sent back to make sure that Emiko got here safely and to make sure that she doesn't reveal too much about the future."
"But why don't you want us kids to know," Gloria asked. "I don't understand that. You all knew about us when we went back to the past."
"We want you children to shape your own lives without much knowledge of the future," Lita explained. "Besides you know that some of the kids here won't be able to handle the fact that they will have brothers or sisters in the future."
"You're right," Gloria murmured thinking about Annika and Ariel both of whom just loved being the center of their mothers' attention. "Is that why Emiko loves me so much? Because in the future I am her sister?"
"Yes that is why," Mina said. "She couldn't wait to meet you when she first came back here."
"Does Daddy know," Gloria asked next.
"Yes I told him," Mina replied. "Since he won't be around by the time Emiko comes along I felt it was okay to let him know."
"Gloria," Serenity walked over to her goddaughter and knelt down in front of her. "It is very important that you keep this to yourself. This is your chance to show us that you can be trusted with a secret."
"I'll try but what if I want to talk about it," Gloria asked.
"Then you talk to one of the original Senshi or the queen," Lita replied. "But we don't want the rest of the kids to know this."
"Here's some incentive," Serenity suddenly stated. "Can you imagine how angry Aunt Raye would be if you told Annika who Emiko really is?"
The thought of how upset Raye would be made Gloria's eyes widen with alarm. "I think I can keep this secret," she hastily said. She got up. "I'll go and get ready for bed now." With that she left the room.
Lita and Mina turned to Serenity. "You are evil," Lita told her.
"I was just pointing out the truth," Serenity replied.
"It worked," Mina laughed. "I'll just have to use that should Gloria decide to break the promise." The three women laughed.
Later on Mina was tucking Gloria into bed. Gloria's head was still spinning from all that she had heard that evening. Mina could sense that her daughter had a lot on her mind so she decided to let her talk. She sat down on the bed and ran her fingers through Gloria's reddish-orange tresses. "You heard a lot tonight didn't you Darling," she asked.
"I did," Gloria replied. "I can't believe Emiko is really my sister."
"I know it was a shock," Mina stated. "It was a shock to me too. I never thought that I would marry another man besides your father but I guess you don't think about things like that when you are immortal."
"I wondered why Emiko loves me so much even though I had just met her," Gloria admitted. "I thought she was just this little kid who was here to drive me crazy."
"Well now you know," Mina told her.
"Mom why is she here," Gloria asked. "I'm sure that you just don't decide to send your kids to the past."
"You're right about that," Mina laughed. She then grew serious. "Apparently someone is after Emiko so she was sent here until this enemy is taken care of."
"Poor Emiko," Gloria exclaimed. "And she isn't even a Senshi."
"Exactly," Mina sighed. "So the poor little thing was probably scared to death."
"Mom," Gloria sat up. "I'm sorry I was so mean to her. I'll be nice to her from now on."
"I'm glad to hear that," Mina kissed her daughter. "Now it's getting late. You need to go to sleep."
"Goodnight Mom," Gloria said as she lay back down.
"Sweet dreams," Mina called as she left the room.
After Mina left Gloria lay in her bed and thought about what had happened today. Emiko was her sister or was going to be her sister one day. This was a huge shock to Gloria. But she saw the little girl in a whole new light now. "No wonder she looks so much like Mom," Gloria thought. She sat up and reached for her flashlight. She turned it on and shone it around her room. She stopped at her shelves that had her dolls and stuffed animals on it. Gloria got up and went over to it. She reached for one of her favorite dolls. It had been given to her when she was four. It was a rag doll with red curly hair and green eyes. Gloria loved her. She reached over and took it off the shelf. She then crept quietly out of her room and into the spare room. Emiko was in bed. Gloria still couldn't get over all the stuff the little girl had gotten for Christmas. Gloria crept quietly over to the bed.
Emiko stirred and opened her eyes. "Onee-san," she murmured.
"Hi Squirt," Gloria replied.
"Why you here," Emiko asked as she sat up. "Are you gonna be mean to me?"
"No," Gloria held out her doll. "This is my favorite doll. I got it when I was four."
"She pretty," Emiko cooed as she looked at the doll.
"You can't have her," Gloria told. "But do you want to sleep with her?"
"Can I," Emiko asked in delight.
"Yes," Gloria replied. "But when you go home I want it back."
"Thank you Onee-san," Emiko took the doll from her.
"You'd better go back to sleep or we'll both be in trouble," Gloria helped Emiko get settled down. She reached down and kissed the little girl. "Goodnight Emiko."
"Goodnight Onee-san," Emiko replied sleepily. "I love you."
"I love you too," Gloria found herself saying as she left the room. "Maybe having a sister around for a while won't be too bad."
The next morning Emiko had Mina up very early as usual. "One thing I need to remember when I have her is to train her to sleep later," Mina thought as she got breakfast ready for the little girl. She spread some butter on Emiko's toast and handed it to her. "Here you go Pumpkin."
"Thank you Mommy," Emiko squeaked. She took a big bite of her toast. "Onee-san came to my room last night."
"Really," Mina raised her eyebrows at the child as she took a sip of her coffee.
"She let me sleep with her doll," Emiko replied.
"That was nice of her," Mina murmured. She had a feeling since Gloria found out who Emiko really was may have caused her to change her attitude.
"Can I wake Onee-san up," Emiko asked as she began to bounce around in her seat.
"You'd better not Darling," Mina replied. "Gloria doesn't like being awakened early on days she doesn't have to go to school." Emiko pouted but didn't argue. "So different from Gloria," Mina mused. Gloria would have argued constantly. Once Emiko was finished Mina cleared the dishes from the table. She then picked Emiko up. "How about if you watch cartoons for a while," she suggested.
"Okay," Emiko squealed in delight. Mina carried the child into the living room and set her down on the couch. She turned on the television and soon Emiko was happily engrossed in a cartoon show. Mina sighed and sat down on the chair. She was going to have to get breakfast for Gloria and Asai when they got up soon so she might as well rest now.
Gloria yawned as she pulled on her clothes. Winter break was almost over but there was still a few days left for her to enjoy. It was nice not having to get into her school uniform. She put on a pair of jeans and a sweater she had received for Christmas. Then she went to the kitchen. Her parents and Emiko were already up. Judging from the tired look on Mina's face, Emiko had gotten her up a while ago. "Good morning," she greeted them.
"Good morning," Mina replied.
"Look who has decided to join the land of the living," Asai commented.
"Oh give her a break Asai," Mina told him. "It is her winter break after all."
"Well it's not mine," Asai sighed as he looked at his watch. "I have to be in the control room in ten minutes." He got up and kissed Mina goodbye. Then he gave Gloria a kiss. "You be good today," he warned.
"I will Dad," Gloria giggled as she hugged him.
Asai turned to Emiko. "Would you like a kiss too," he asked her.
"You not Daddy but okay," Emiko replied and accepted a kiss from Asai. Once he was gone she jumped down from the table and flung her arms around Gloria's leg. "Onee-san!"
"Hi Squirt," Gloria rumpled the little girl's hair.
"Can we play today Onee-san," Emiko asked in excitement. "Can we?"
"Now Emiko," Mina gently intervened. "Gloria may want to play with her friends today."
"It's okay Mom," Gloria told her. She looked down at Emiko. "Do you want to come to the park with me and Annika?"
"Yes," Emiko squealed in delight.
"Gloria it's cold outside," Mina objected. "I don't know how I feel about you playing out there much less her. Also I seriously doubt Aunt Raye would let Annika play outside in the cold. You know how easily she gets colds."
"We'll put our coats on Mom," Gloria promised.
"Please Mommy," Emiko pleaded. "I wanna play with Onee-san."
Mina sighed. She was glad that her two daughters were getting along so well but it was really too cold to play outside. "How about this," she suggested. "You know that activity center where there's an indoor swimming pool? I believe Daisy and Maggie took a field trip there recently."
"Yes but Mom we have an indoor pool here," Gloria reminded her.
"I know but I wasn't going to suggest that you go swimming," Mina said. "That activity center also has an indoor playground. Why don't you go there instead? I'll give you money so that you can get in."
"Really," Gloria asked in excitement. "Do you think Aunt Raye will let Annika come too?"
"I don't see why not," Mina replied. "I'll contact Aunt Raye and see if she'll let Annika come too. I could also check and see if Hope and Faith can come too if you'd like."
"Okay," Gloria agreed. She looked down at Emiko. "Would you like to go there instead?"
"Yes," Emiko squealed in delight. She began to dance around the kitchen while Mina reached for the phone to call the others.
Raye was more then happy to let Annika go to the activity center. Faith and Hope were also allowed to come. When Kadiri heard that the girls were going she offered to come along with Madelyn and Ariel so that she could help out with Emiko. So the group arrived at the activity center, full of excitement. The girls ran straight for the indoor playground. "Onee-san," Emiko squealed as she climbed up on a swing. "Push me Onee-san."
"Coming," Gloria dashed over and began pushing the little girl on the swing. Emiko squealed in delight as she went high in the air.
"Not too high Gloria," Kadiri cautioned.
"Wow," Hope exclaimed. "Gloria is being so nice to Emiko all of the sudden."
"I wonder why," Faith mused. Kadiri only smiled. The Senshi had told her that Gloria knew the truth. She was just glad that Emiko was enjoying herself.
"Come on Kadiri," Madelyn and Ariel came up and each took a hand. "Come play with us."
"All right, all right," Kadiri laughed as she followed the two little girls.
The girls had fun all afternoon. They played in the playground and got snacks from the snack bar. They also talked about the twins' upcoming birthday. Emiko thought this had been the best day since she had arrived at this time. Gloria and Ariel were both being nice to her and she liked that.
"Onee-san," Emiko chirped as they arrived back at the palace. "Can we go there again?"
"Of course," Gloria replied. "We'll go there tomorrow if you like."
"Hurrah," Emiko cheered.
"I'm afraid you can't girls," Mina's voice interrupted them. Gloria looked up. She saw the Queen, the King and all of the Senshi were in the palace living room.
"Mama what's going on," Annika asked in a puzzled voice.
"Nothing you need to worry about Baby," Raye told her. "I want you to go to our quarters right now and I'll be there soon."
"Actually we need everyone except Gloria, Emiko and Kadiri to go to their quarters," Serenity added.
"Why Aunt Serenity," Madelyn asked in a puzzled voice.
"Don't ask questions Madelyn," Hotaru told her firmly. "Just go." The other children decided not to press the issue further. They left. Once they were gone Pluto turned to the girls.
"The people who were after Emiko have been defeated," she told them. "So Emiko and Kadiri can go home now."
"Really," Kadiri gasped as a mixture of emotions rose within her. Happy because she was going to be back with her father, brother and Yuuichiro again and dismayed because she really enjoyed getting to know Madelyn as a child.
"I get to see Daddy and my friends again," Emiko squealed happily.
"Yes little one," Mina choked as she knelt down in front of the child. She pulled the little girl into a hug. "I'll miss you so much."
"So will I," Gloria whispered. She had really enjoyed herself with her future sister this afternoon and found that she was sorry to see her go.
"Onee-san," Emiko flung her arms around Gloria.
Amy stepped in. "You should get ready to leave now."
"Right," Kadiri murmured. With serious faces everyone headed back to their quarters.
"Do you really have to go," Madelyn wailed as she watched Kadiri pack her things.
"I'm afraid so," Kadiri replied.
"I'll miss you," Madelyn flung her arms around Kadiri.
"I'll miss you too," Kadiri hugged the little girl close to her.
"Will I ever see you again," Madelyn asked.
"I guarantee it," Kadiri laughed.
"Wait before you go I want to give you something," Madelyn said as she suddenly ran out of the room. A few minutes later she came back with a small lamp. It was shaped like a flower and very pretty. "I want you to have this."
"Are you sure," Kadiri asked in surprise.
"Yes," Madelyn replied. "Keep it so that you can remember me and when we see each other again you can show it too me."
"Thank you," Kadiri took the lamp and carefully packed it in her bag. She then zipped the bag up.
"Are you ready," Hotaru asked as she came into the room.
"Yes I am," Kadiri replied.
"Madelyn you say goodbye to her here," Hotaru told her.
"Okay Mama," Madelyn replied. She hugged Kadiri. "Goodbye Kadiri. I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too," Kadiri returned the hug. "But I promise we will see each other again."
"I can't wait for that day," Madelyn said. She hugged Kadiri tightly and then went to her room. Together Hotaru and Kadiri left to head toward the Gates of Time.
"I am going to miss you," Hotaru told Kadiri. "But you have given me something to look forward too. Now that I know I will be able to have more children my future has a bright spot."
"I have enjoyed my time here," Kadiri told Hotaru. "But I will be glad to get home. I've missed my family and friends."
"I understand," Hotaru sighed. "But I know that I will have the pleasure of having you and watching you grow up one day. I will just have to wait for that day."
"It will be here before you know it," Kadiri said and Hotaru agreed.
When they arrived at the Gates of Time Mina, Gloria and Emiko were already there with Pluto waiting for them. Pluto turned to Mina and Gloria. "You need to say goodbye now," she told them.
Gloria turned to Emiko. "I'm sorry I was so mean to you at first," she said.
"That's okay," Emiko chirped.
Gloria was holding something behind her back. She pulled it out. It was the doll she had loaned Emiko the night before. "I want you to have this," she told her.
"Gloria," Mina gasped. "Are you sure?"
"Yes Mom I am sure," Gloria replied firmly. "Besides I'll see it again one day." She turned back to Emiko. "Here take it."
"Thank you Onee-san," Emiko took the doll and hugged it to her chest. Gloria then knelt down and hugged Emiko. "Goodbye," she told her. "I'll see you again one day."
"Bye Onee-san," Emiko hugged Gloria back. She then turned to Mina.
Mina scooped the little girl up. "I look forward to the day when I really become your mommy," she whispered. "But I have really loved having you here. Take care and be good."
"I will Mommy," Emiko replied as she hugged Mina back. Mina then handed Emiko to Kadiri.
"Are you ready," Pluto asked them.
"We're ready," Kadiri replied. Pluto held up her rod and the Gates opened. Kadiri and Emiko waved goodbye and then went through the gates. Within minutes they were gone.
"Mina," Hotaru turned to Mina. "Our futures are bright aren't they?"
"They certainly are," Mina sighed as she put an arm around Gloria. She looked down at Gloria with a sparkle in her eyes. "Now I know that I will have diaper changing and teething to look forward to again."
"Mom," Gloria cried and then she saw that her mother was joking and she too began to laugh. Together they headed back to the Crystal Palace.
Kadiri and Emiko arrived back to their time. Mina, Gloria, Hotaru, Madelyn and Yuuichiro were all waiting for them. Mina couldn't contain herself. "Emiko," she cried as she dashed forward.
"Mommy," Emiko jumped down from Kadiri's arms and ran over to her mother. Mina scooped the child up and kissed her face over and over again.
"Oh how I've missed you," Mina told her.
"Hi Emiko," Gloria came forward.
"Onee-san," Emiko squealed. She held up the doll. "Look."
"Oh my," Gloria gasped as she took the doll from Emiko. "I had forgotten all about her."
"You gave it to me," Emiko told her.
"I know I remember now," Gloria laughed. She handed the doll back to her. "It's yours now."
"Hurrah," Emiko cried in delight.
"We are having a huge celebration tonight," Mina told Emiko as she carried her back to the palace with Gloria by her side. "Mommy and Daddy will be there and so will Onee-san and her family along with Minako and Tiffany and their families. We want to celebrate you returning."
"Goody," Emiko squealed in delight.
Kadiri laughed as she watched them walk away. She then turned to her mother. "It was fun but I am so glad to be home."
"We're glad to have you back," Hotaru replied as she hugged her daughter.
"Oh Madelyn," Kadiri reached into her bag and pulled out the lamp. "Do you remember what you told me?"
"Yes I do," Madelyn replied as she took the lamp. "Keep it so that you can remember me as a child."
"I will," Kadiri laughed.
"Oh how I have missed you," Yuuichiro told Kadiri as he kissed her. "There were times when I thought I would go crazy."
"I know the feeling," Kadiri laughed. "I missed you too."
Yuuichiro took her arm, "You and I will have our own celebration tonight."
"I can't wait," Kadiri whispered as they headed back to the palace. It had been fun but it was good to be home.
The End
E-mail me at AngelRaye2@aol.com
Come and see the Chibi Senshi at http://www.craiger.dns2go.com/chibiscouts/index.html
Come and check out the message board at www.ice-rose.net/chibiscouts. It is beginning to take off now
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. The deadline is approaching.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. With the exception of Rini I own the Chibi Senshi.
Emiko
Part Seven
By
Angel Raye
It was three days after Christmas now and Gloria had enjoyed listening to her CDs on her new player. She and Annika had enjoyed the new games that both of them received. Gloria placed her new stuffed dog on the bed and then tried to decide what to do. Emiko had gone to bed now so Gloria couldn't play her music. "I wonder how much longer she is going to stay with us," Gloria asked herself. She didn't understand what was going on or who Emiko was but Gloria just quietly accepted the fact that this kid was here.
Voices came from the living room. Gloria perked up her ears when she realized that there were other voices besides her parents. She went to her bedroom door to listen. "Aunt Serenity and Aunt Lita," Gloria thought as she recognized the voices. She heard her name mentioned and her curiosity rose. She quietly crept out her room and into the hall. She stood where no one could see her so that she could listen.
"So Gloria still doesn't know," Serenity asked.
"Know what," Gloria asked herself.
"I think she's suspicious," Mina replied. "But she doesn't know that Emiko is her sister."
"My sister," Gloria thought in astonishment. She flew into the living room forgetting that she wasn't supposed to be eavesdropping. "What do you mean Emiko is my sister," she demanded.
"Gloria," Mina gasped. "What were you doing listening to our conversation?"
"Never mind that," Gloria shouted. "What do you mean that Emiko is my sister? I don't remember you having her. Is that why she calls you Mommy?"
"Gloria," Lita took the girl's hand. "We didn't want any of you kids to know."
"Why not," Gloria cried. "Why is this such a big secret?"
Serenity turned to Mina. "We might as well tell her," she said. "Before she lets the other children in on this."
"You're right," Mina sighed. She turned to Gloria. "Sit down honey." Gloria sat down, her head spinning from all that she had heard. "Fist of all you need to promise that you will keep this a secret. You must not mention this to any of the other children, including Annika. I know keeping secrets is difficult for you but this is important."
"All right, I promise," Gloria, replied. "Now please tell me what is going on."
"You know that as Senshi we have immortality," Mina began. Gloria nodded her head. "Well of course our husbands don't. Your father isn't going to live forever like you and I will."
"I know that," Gloria exclaimed. "But what does this have to do with Emiko being my sister? Is Dad not her father?"
"No," Mina replied. "Apparently many years in the future all of us Senshi, your generation included will marry again and have more children. Emiko is from the future when you are an adult. Your father is gone by then so I marry again and have Emiko."
"Oh wow," Gloria gasped. Then she asked, "What about Kadiri? Who is she?"
"She's Aunt Hotaru's future daughter," Serenity replied. "She was sent back to make sure that Emiko got here safely and to make sure that she doesn't reveal too much about the future."
"But why don't you want us kids to know," Gloria asked. "I don't understand that. You all knew about us when we went back to the past."
"We want you children to shape your own lives without much knowledge of the future," Lita explained. "Besides you know that some of the kids here won't be able to handle the fact that they will have brothers or sisters in the future."
"You're right," Gloria murmured thinking about Annika and Ariel both of whom just loved being the center of their mothers' attention. "Is that why Emiko loves me so much? Because in the future I am her sister?"
"Yes that is why," Mina said. "She couldn't wait to meet you when she first came back here."
"Does Daddy know," Gloria asked next.
"Yes I told him," Mina replied. "Since he won't be around by the time Emiko comes along I felt it was okay to let him know."
"Gloria," Serenity walked over to her goddaughter and knelt down in front of her. "It is very important that you keep this to yourself. This is your chance to show us that you can be trusted with a secret."
"I'll try but what if I want to talk about it," Gloria asked.
"Then you talk to one of the original Senshi or the queen," Lita replied. "But we don't want the rest of the kids to know this."
"Here's some incentive," Serenity suddenly stated. "Can you imagine how angry Aunt Raye would be if you told Annika who Emiko really is?"
The thought of how upset Raye would be made Gloria's eyes widen with alarm. "I think I can keep this secret," she hastily said. She got up. "I'll go and get ready for bed now." With that she left the room.
Lita and Mina turned to Serenity. "You are evil," Lita told her.
"I was just pointing out the truth," Serenity replied.
"It worked," Mina laughed. "I'll just have to use that should Gloria decide to break the promise." The three women laughed.
Later on Mina was tucking Gloria into bed. Gloria's head was still spinning from all that she had heard that evening. Mina could sense that her daughter had a lot on her mind so she decided to let her talk. She sat down on the bed and ran her fingers through Gloria's reddish-orange tresses. "You heard a lot tonight didn't you Darling," she asked.
"I did," Gloria replied. "I can't believe Emiko is really my sister."
"I know it was a shock," Mina stated. "It was a shock to me too. I never thought that I would marry another man besides your father but I guess you don't think about things like that when you are immortal."
"I wondered why Emiko loves me so much even though I had just met her," Gloria admitted. "I thought she was just this little kid who was here to drive me crazy."
"Well now you know," Mina told her.
"Mom why is she here," Gloria asked. "I'm sure that you just don't decide to send your kids to the past."
"You're right about that," Mina laughed. She then grew serious. "Apparently someone is after Emiko so she was sent here until this enemy is taken care of."
"Poor Emiko," Gloria exclaimed. "And she isn't even a Senshi."
"Exactly," Mina sighed. "So the poor little thing was probably scared to death."
"Mom," Gloria sat up. "I'm sorry I was so mean to her. I'll be nice to her from now on."
"I'm glad to hear that," Mina kissed her daughter. "Now it's getting late. You need to go to sleep."
"Goodnight Mom," Gloria said as she lay back down.
"Sweet dreams," Mina called as she left the room.
After Mina left Gloria lay in her bed and thought about what had happened today. Emiko was her sister or was going to be her sister one day. This was a huge shock to Gloria. But she saw the little girl in a whole new light now. "No wonder she looks so much like Mom," Gloria thought. She sat up and reached for her flashlight. She turned it on and shone it around her room. She stopped at her shelves that had her dolls and stuffed animals on it. Gloria got up and went over to it. She reached for one of her favorite dolls. It had been given to her when she was four. It was a rag doll with red curly hair and green eyes. Gloria loved her. She reached over and took it off the shelf. She then crept quietly out of her room and into the spare room. Emiko was in bed. Gloria still couldn't get over all the stuff the little girl had gotten for Christmas. Gloria crept quietly over to the bed.
Emiko stirred and opened her eyes. "Onee-san," she murmured.
"Hi Squirt," Gloria replied.
"Why you here," Emiko asked as she sat up. "Are you gonna be mean to me?"
"No," Gloria held out her doll. "This is my favorite doll. I got it when I was four."
"She pretty," Emiko cooed as she looked at the doll.
"You can't have her," Gloria told. "But do you want to sleep with her?"
"Can I," Emiko asked in delight.
"Yes," Gloria replied. "But when you go home I want it back."
"Thank you Onee-san," Emiko took the doll from her.
"You'd better go back to sleep or we'll both be in trouble," Gloria helped Emiko get settled down. She reached down and kissed the little girl. "Goodnight Emiko."
"Goodnight Onee-san," Emiko replied sleepily. "I love you."
"I love you too," Gloria found herself saying as she left the room. "Maybe having a sister around for a while won't be too bad."
The next morning Emiko had Mina up very early as usual. "One thing I need to remember when I have her is to train her to sleep later," Mina thought as she got breakfast ready for the little girl. She spread some butter on Emiko's toast and handed it to her. "Here you go Pumpkin."
"Thank you Mommy," Emiko squeaked. She took a big bite of her toast. "Onee-san came to my room last night."
"Really," Mina raised her eyebrows at the child as she took a sip of her coffee.
"She let me sleep with her doll," Emiko replied.
"That was nice of her," Mina murmured. She had a feeling since Gloria found out who Emiko really was may have caused her to change her attitude.
"Can I wake Onee-san up," Emiko asked as she began to bounce around in her seat.
"You'd better not Darling," Mina replied. "Gloria doesn't like being awakened early on days she doesn't have to go to school." Emiko pouted but didn't argue. "So different from Gloria," Mina mused. Gloria would have argued constantly. Once Emiko was finished Mina cleared the dishes from the table. She then picked Emiko up. "How about if you watch cartoons for a while," she suggested.
"Okay," Emiko squealed in delight. Mina carried the child into the living room and set her down on the couch. She turned on the television and soon Emiko was happily engrossed in a cartoon show. Mina sighed and sat down on the chair. She was going to have to get breakfast for Gloria and Asai when they got up soon so she might as well rest now.
Gloria yawned as she pulled on her clothes. Winter break was almost over but there was still a few days left for her to enjoy. It was nice not having to get into her school uniform. She put on a pair of jeans and a sweater she had received for Christmas. Then she went to the kitchen. Her parents and Emiko were already up. Judging from the tired look on Mina's face, Emiko had gotten her up a while ago. "Good morning," she greeted them.
"Good morning," Mina replied.
"Look who has decided to join the land of the living," Asai commented.
"Oh give her a break Asai," Mina told him. "It is her winter break after all."
"Well it's not mine," Asai sighed as he looked at his watch. "I have to be in the control room in ten minutes." He got up and kissed Mina goodbye. Then he gave Gloria a kiss. "You be good today," he warned.
"I will Dad," Gloria giggled as she hugged him.
Asai turned to Emiko. "Would you like a kiss too," he asked her.
"You not Daddy but okay," Emiko replied and accepted a kiss from Asai. Once he was gone she jumped down from the table and flung her arms around Gloria's leg. "Onee-san!"
"Hi Squirt," Gloria rumpled the little girl's hair.
"Can we play today Onee-san," Emiko asked in excitement. "Can we?"
"Now Emiko," Mina gently intervened. "Gloria may want to play with her friends today."
"It's okay Mom," Gloria told her. She looked down at Emiko. "Do you want to come to the park with me and Annika?"
"Yes," Emiko squealed in delight.
"Gloria it's cold outside," Mina objected. "I don't know how I feel about you playing out there much less her. Also I seriously doubt Aunt Raye would let Annika play outside in the cold. You know how easily she gets colds."
"We'll put our coats on Mom," Gloria promised.
"Please Mommy," Emiko pleaded. "I wanna play with Onee-san."
Mina sighed. She was glad that her two daughters were getting along so well but it was really too cold to play outside. "How about this," she suggested. "You know that activity center where there's an indoor swimming pool? I believe Daisy and Maggie took a field trip there recently."
"Yes but Mom we have an indoor pool here," Gloria reminded her.
"I know but I wasn't going to suggest that you go swimming," Mina said. "That activity center also has an indoor playground. Why don't you go there instead? I'll give you money so that you can get in."
"Really," Gloria asked in excitement. "Do you think Aunt Raye will let Annika come too?"
"I don't see why not," Mina replied. "I'll contact Aunt Raye and see if she'll let Annika come too. I could also check and see if Hope and Faith can come too if you'd like."
"Okay," Gloria agreed. She looked down at Emiko. "Would you like to go there instead?"
"Yes," Emiko squealed in delight. She began to dance around the kitchen while Mina reached for the phone to call the others.
Raye was more then happy to let Annika go to the activity center. Faith and Hope were also allowed to come. When Kadiri heard that the girls were going she offered to come along with Madelyn and Ariel so that she could help out with Emiko. So the group arrived at the activity center, full of excitement. The girls ran straight for the indoor playground. "Onee-san," Emiko squealed as she climbed up on a swing. "Push me Onee-san."
"Coming," Gloria dashed over and began pushing the little girl on the swing. Emiko squealed in delight as she went high in the air.
"Not too high Gloria," Kadiri cautioned.
"Wow," Hope exclaimed. "Gloria is being so nice to Emiko all of the sudden."
"I wonder why," Faith mused. Kadiri only smiled. The Senshi had told her that Gloria knew the truth. She was just glad that Emiko was enjoying herself.
"Come on Kadiri," Madelyn and Ariel came up and each took a hand. "Come play with us."
"All right, all right," Kadiri laughed as she followed the two little girls.
The girls had fun all afternoon. They played in the playground and got snacks from the snack bar. They also talked about the twins' upcoming birthday. Emiko thought this had been the best day since she had arrived at this time. Gloria and Ariel were both being nice to her and she liked that.
"Onee-san," Emiko chirped as they arrived back at the palace. "Can we go there again?"
"Of course," Gloria replied. "We'll go there tomorrow if you like."
"Hurrah," Emiko cheered.
"I'm afraid you can't girls," Mina's voice interrupted them. Gloria looked up. She saw the Queen, the King and all of the Senshi were in the palace living room.
"Mama what's going on," Annika asked in a puzzled voice.
"Nothing you need to worry about Baby," Raye told her. "I want you to go to our quarters right now and I'll be there soon."
"Actually we need everyone except Gloria, Emiko and Kadiri to go to their quarters," Serenity added.
"Why Aunt Serenity," Madelyn asked in a puzzled voice.
"Don't ask questions Madelyn," Hotaru told her firmly. "Just go." The other children decided not to press the issue further. They left. Once they were gone Pluto turned to the girls.
"The people who were after Emiko have been defeated," she told them. "So Emiko and Kadiri can go home now."
"Really," Kadiri gasped as a mixture of emotions rose within her. Happy because she was going to be back with her father, brother and Yuuichiro again and dismayed because she really enjoyed getting to know Madelyn as a child.
"I get to see Daddy and my friends again," Emiko squealed happily.
"Yes little one," Mina choked as she knelt down in front of the child. She pulled the little girl into a hug. "I'll miss you so much."
"So will I," Gloria whispered. She had really enjoyed herself with her future sister this afternoon and found that she was sorry to see her go.
"Onee-san," Emiko flung her arms around Gloria.
Amy stepped in. "You should get ready to leave now."
"Right," Kadiri murmured. With serious faces everyone headed back to their quarters.
"Do you really have to go," Madelyn wailed as she watched Kadiri pack her things.
"I'm afraid so," Kadiri replied.
"I'll miss you," Madelyn flung her arms around Kadiri.
"I'll miss you too," Kadiri hugged the little girl close to her.
"Will I ever see you again," Madelyn asked.
"I guarantee it," Kadiri laughed.
"Wait before you go I want to give you something," Madelyn said as she suddenly ran out of the room. A few minutes later she came back with a small lamp. It was shaped like a flower and very pretty. "I want you to have this."
"Are you sure," Kadiri asked in surprise.
"Yes," Madelyn replied. "Keep it so that you can remember me and when we see each other again you can show it too me."
"Thank you," Kadiri took the lamp and carefully packed it in her bag. She then zipped the bag up.
"Are you ready," Hotaru asked as she came into the room.
"Yes I am," Kadiri replied.
"Madelyn you say goodbye to her here," Hotaru told her.
"Okay Mama," Madelyn replied. She hugged Kadiri. "Goodbye Kadiri. I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too," Kadiri returned the hug. "But I promise we will see each other again."
"I can't wait for that day," Madelyn said. She hugged Kadiri tightly and then went to her room. Together Hotaru and Kadiri left to head toward the Gates of Time.
"I am going to miss you," Hotaru told Kadiri. "But you have given me something to look forward too. Now that I know I will be able to have more children my future has a bright spot."
"I have enjoyed my time here," Kadiri told Hotaru. "But I will be glad to get home. I've missed my family and friends."
"I understand," Hotaru sighed. "But I know that I will have the pleasure of having you and watching you grow up one day. I will just have to wait for that day."
"It will be here before you know it," Kadiri said and Hotaru agreed.
When they arrived at the Gates of Time Mina, Gloria and Emiko were already there with Pluto waiting for them. Pluto turned to Mina and Gloria. "You need to say goodbye now," she told them.
Gloria turned to Emiko. "I'm sorry I was so mean to you at first," she said.
"That's okay," Emiko chirped.
Gloria was holding something behind her back. She pulled it out. It was the doll she had loaned Emiko the night before. "I want you to have this," she told her.
"Gloria," Mina gasped. "Are you sure?"
"Yes Mom I am sure," Gloria replied firmly. "Besides I'll see it again one day." She turned back to Emiko. "Here take it."
"Thank you Onee-san," Emiko took the doll and hugged it to her chest. Gloria then knelt down and hugged Emiko. "Goodbye," she told her. "I'll see you again one day."
"Bye Onee-san," Emiko hugged Gloria back. She then turned to Mina.
Mina scooped the little girl up. "I look forward to the day when I really become your mommy," she whispered. "But I have really loved having you here. Take care and be good."
"I will Mommy," Emiko replied as she hugged Mina back. Mina then handed Emiko to Kadiri.
"Are you ready," Pluto asked them.
"We're ready," Kadiri replied. Pluto held up her rod and the Gates opened. Kadiri and Emiko waved goodbye and then went through the gates. Within minutes they were gone.
"Mina," Hotaru turned to Mina. "Our futures are bright aren't they?"
"They certainly are," Mina sighed as she put an arm around Gloria. She looked down at Gloria with a sparkle in her eyes. "Now I know that I will have diaper changing and teething to look forward to again."
"Mom," Gloria cried and then she saw that her mother was joking and she too began to laugh. Together they headed back to the Crystal Palace.
Kadiri and Emiko arrived back to their time. Mina, Gloria, Hotaru, Madelyn and Yuuichiro were all waiting for them. Mina couldn't contain herself. "Emiko," she cried as she dashed forward.
"Mommy," Emiko jumped down from Kadiri's arms and ran over to her mother. Mina scooped the child up and kissed her face over and over again.
"Oh how I've missed you," Mina told her.
"Hi Emiko," Gloria came forward.
"Onee-san," Emiko squealed. She held up the doll. "Look."
"Oh my," Gloria gasped as she took the doll from Emiko. "I had forgotten all about her."
"You gave it to me," Emiko told her.
"I know I remember now," Gloria laughed. She handed the doll back to her. "It's yours now."
"Hurrah," Emiko cried in delight.
"We are having a huge celebration tonight," Mina told Emiko as she carried her back to the palace with Gloria by her side. "Mommy and Daddy will be there and so will Onee-san and her family along with Minako and Tiffany and their families. We want to celebrate you returning."
"Goody," Emiko squealed in delight.
Kadiri laughed as she watched them walk away. She then turned to her mother. "It was fun but I am so glad to be home."
"We're glad to have you back," Hotaru replied as she hugged her daughter.
"Oh Madelyn," Kadiri reached into her bag and pulled out the lamp. "Do you remember what you told me?"
"Yes I do," Madelyn replied as she took the lamp. "Keep it so that you can remember me as a child."
"I will," Kadiri laughed.
"Oh how I have missed you," Yuuichiro told Kadiri as he kissed her. "There were times when I thought I would go crazy."
"I know the feeling," Kadiri laughed. "I missed you too."
Yuuichiro took her arm, "You and I will have our own celebration tonight."
"I can't wait," Kadiri whispered as they headed back to the palace. It had been fun but it was good to be home.
The End