When I Was A Little Girl

Chapter 3

By: Chibi J

Rated: G

Me no own. Therefore, me no have no money. So, no sue. My meager teacher's salary is hardly worth the effort.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The day after Rei's mother's birthday, things began to return to normal around the shrine. Well, mostly normal. Okay, so it was still outright bizarre around the shrine.

I awoke that morning, just the same as every morning. I got up, dressed, did my chores, did Rei's chores (she slept in and I couldn't blame her), watched the sunrise from the back hill of the shrine, got prepared to go to school, and went to the kitchen to eat breakfast. There, the normal-ness stopped.

*~*

"Ohayo!" I greeted my family as I made my way to the fridge. I opened the door and removed the orange juice. Turning around, I found three pairs of eyes starring at me. I turned away from their looks and proceeded to the cupboard for a cup. Turning around again, they were all still starring at me. Leaving only one question.

"What?!"

"Gomen, Usagi, we were just wondering how you were feeling today." Grandfather asked, still not removing his eyes from me. It was starting to get annoying. Rei and Shingo had huge grins, matching Grandfather.

"Fine, why? Is there something wrong?" Why won't they stop starring at me? New approach.

"Okay! Give already. If you don't stop starring at me and tell me what is going on I am going to blow!" I said with as much anger as I could muster. It worked too. Rei and Shingo both ducked under the table. Now, I've never really been violent, in fact, I would never hurt a fly, well maybe if it bit me, but that's the beside the point. So why were two of the people closest to me in the whole world ducked under a table?

"Usagi," Grandfather began with a chuckle, "you remember what happened yesterday, correct?"

"Hai." I said, sending my eyes down to the ground. Rei's sadness was still very fresh in my heart.

"Usagi," Grandfather started again, "do you remember what happened the day before yesterday?"

I looked at him confused. "Ne, Grandfather, I didn't steal the cookies from the jar, if that's what you mean." Now, my grandfather is a gentle man that can turn red real fast when upset. But I've never seen him turn purple from laughing before. I could also hear laughing from under the table.

"Well, whatever I did, is it really all that funny?" I wondered out loud. I mean, geez, get over it and tell me already!

"Baka-Usagi," Rei said as she crawled out from under the table. "It's no wonder you have a hard time passing in-class tests. You can't remember anything!"

That had done it. I didn't feel like sitting this morning and listening to my family make fun of me. Tired of all the games, I turned and stomped out of the room. Heading down the hall to the door outside, the sound of footfalls behind me was evident. Not one to really run away from a situation, I spun around, my arms flapping through the air.

Which caused the vase to fall off the table.

Which was over five feet away from me.

Which caused me to fall to the ground on my knees.

Which made my memories return.

A smile spread on my stalkers' faces when they knew that I knew. I lifted my head to look at them with a sheepish smile on my face.

"Oh yeah, that."

*~*

If anyone ever said that weird-ness is a virtue, well, I sincerely doubt that anyone ever said that. In all reality, being different from those around you on a daily basis can be quite a pain.

My new telekinetic power, much like my telepathic power, caused headaches for weeks. I constantly had to be cautious how I moved my arms and what I was thinking about. Sometimes, the slightest movement sent objects hurdling to the ground. I could even move small items with just a thought.

School was terrible. Rei was constantly screaming in my head. One day, I broke the teacher's chalk when she pointed it at a kid accusingly. Another day, I was twirling my pencil on the desk, without my hand. Once, I made a kids lunch tray fall out of her hands when I spun around to Rei calling my name. Little odd things kept happening in the school, such as books falling off desks, chairs tipping over, and a girl whom had just made fun of Rei tripped and broke her nose (really, that was a shame).

Home was easier, of course. Grandfather could help very little, having no personal experiences with the power I possessed. However, he offered me the same advice that he had offered my mother, practice makes perfect. A lot of help, I know. As helpful as a cavity when eating ice cream. Unfortunately, it was the only advice I could get, so I followed it.

Of course, it was the best advice. Rei and I spent many days just watching objects spin around the ceiling in one of our bedrooms. Shingo especially loved when I would make his planes fly through the field in the park. Little objects were the easiest to handle and larger objects were downright exhaustive.

At the same time that I was perfecting my new power, Rei's were also growing. She was not only able to sense an evil presence or aura, but also predict the future. So far it was limited to about one or two minutes. Mostly good for knowing when someone was going to come around the corner, allowing me to stop any objects from flying through the air. It also had some flaws, such as inaccuracy of a person. She described it as a blurry photograph with smudging around the features.

Shingo, luckily, still only had a telepathic ability. For that, I was grateful. The struggles that Rei and I were having trying to keep up with daily life were unreal. It seemed as if we never got a break. Luckily, Grandfather realized this and began to let us have free weekends.

*~*

"This is the life."

"Totally."

"Let's do this tomorrow Rei."

"Okay."

A small beeping noise sounded from a small clock next to me. I reached over and hit it.

"Flip."

Ah, the joys of sunbathing. Too exhausted from the past week, Rei and I decided to forget the mall, the arcade, and boy hunting to just veg-out on the hill behind the shrine. It was a gorgeous day with no clouds. Shingo was helping Grandfather, so no annoying little brother to harass us. It was perfect.

'Usagi. Something is watching us.' Rei said to me in a thought. She didn't even look up to meet my eyes, but continued to stare forward.

"Rei, I'm going to get some more sunscreen." I said. I got up and stretched, quickly looking around me as I spun from my hips. Walking over to where our cooler of drinks and bag of goodies were, I looked into the sky and trees, trying to appear as if judging the sky around me.

'I don't see anything Rei.' I commented as I sat down nest to her, applying the not-so-really-needed sunscreen to my arms.

'I know I felt it Usagi. Just keep your eyes open.'

Suddenly, I heard a noise in the distance. It was faint, like the rustling of leaves. I looked around again, this time much more obviously. I registered two birds flying from a nearby tree. They circled us briefly and then landed in front of Rei and I.

'Pardon our intrusion, but are you Mars?' One of the black crows asked in a very feminine voice.

"Excuse me?" Rei asked slightly stunned. In our many times trying to telepath with animals, we found that it just wasn't possible. Their thoughts seemed to have been on a different level. But here were these two black crows, thinking as if they were human.

'Gomen, but my name is Deimos and this is my twin sister Phobos. We are on a search for...well, let's just say a friend. We thought that you were her.'

"My name is Rei and this is my cousin Usagi. I'm sorry, but I know of no one whom goes by the name Mars."

'Well, excuse any interruption that we have made in your day. We will be off now.' Phobos stated plainly, turning to her sister with a nod.

"Wait!" Rei yelled, effectively stopping the birds before rising to the treetops. "Please, you appear to have had a long journey. Stay here for a while and rest before resuming your journey."

The two birds landed back on the ground and looked between Rei and I. Phobos nodded to Deimos, whom responded, 'Thank you. Your kindness is greatly appreciated.' That said the two birds took flight to a nearby Sakura tree and sat on a low branch.

Rei and I watched the birds perch on the branch before turning to look at each other with the same expression. Total confusion.

'What was that?'

'I have no idea.'

Unfortunately, that was the most we were able to come up with at the time. Trying to leave the mind-stumping episode behind us, we resumed sunbathing. Rei fell asleep almost immediately, leaving me to watch the grass sway in the yard. In the back of my mind I thought I heard someone whisper, "it is them" before I fell into sleep.

*~*

Rei and I returned to school on Monday pleasantly rested and nicely tanned. School was mundane and the rest of the day followed our typical routine. Upon arrival to our home, Rei and I noticed that our new feathered friends had indeed stayed the night and were still perched in the tree. However, they did not approach us or attempt to converse with us as they had two days ago.

The rest of the evening, Rei and I followed our usual schedule, making small stops occasionally to check upon the two black crows on our Sakura tree. I was beginning to wonder if the birds were actually stuffed. They had not yet appeared to move since they perched on Saturday after our conversation. Perhaps Shingo had learned to implant false memories and this was some huge practical joke. Although that would be a very Shingo-like thing to do, I don't think that he would have the power to affect both Rei and I at the same time for so long.

I drifted to sleep wondering if I truly was going crazy. After all, people under much less stress end up in asylums all the time. My sleep did not bring me comfort and soon became haunted by the illusions that have haunted most of my childhood.

"Momma, I miss you."

*BANG*

"I know dear. But do not fear. I will be in your dreams as you will always be in mine."

*BANG*

"Yes Momma. I love you."

*BANG*

"I love you too, my darling Usako."

*BANG*

"Momma! Papa! Please, don't go!"

*BANG*

"NO!! Shingo!"

*BANG*

"REI!!!"

*BANG*

"GRANDFATHER!"

***Silence****

"They are gone, all of them." 'It's dark. It's so cold. I can't handle this alone.'

*BA-

"Usagi!! Wake up! You must wake up!"

I opened my eyes and felt a flood of tears escape. Wiping the blur from my eyes I focused of the very serious look that I was receiving from my dear cousin.

"Rei?" Not able to retain myself, I jumped up from the bed and grabbed Rei into my arms. "You didn't leave me." I said while the tears fell freely from my eyes. Rei held me tight and began to rock me in her arms.

"Usagi, I promised you that I would never leave. Please, you need to calm down."

"Rei, you left, everyone left. I was all alone. It was so dark."

"I'm right hear and I'm not going anywhere. Please, Usagi, you must quiet yourself. Shingo can feel you, you must be strong for him."

"Shingo. I promised Grandmother that I would always care for him." I sat up and wiped the remainder of my tears from my eyes. 'Shingo. I am okay. Please, go back to sleep. All will be fine. You must sleep now.' I smiled at Rei as we both sensed the young boy fall back to slumber.

"Thank you Rei. I don't think that I could survive without your strength."

"Usagi, you have your own strength. I know that you will be able to draw upon it when the time becomes necessary."

I nodded at Rei. Her wisdom can sometimes astound a genius. We sat in silence for a moment before I noticed a twinkle in Rei's eye. A smile filled her face from ear to ear, although I am sure that my face mirrored her own.

"Shall we?"

"We shall!"

A long time tradition started when I first began having the nightmares. Rei seemed the most prone to feel my discomfort and would rush to calm me. After a reassurance of everyone's safety we would play our favorite game.

"Okay, it's your turn. Familiar or unfamiliar?"

I thought for a long moment. "Unfamiliar."

"Okay. Close your eyes." Rei instructed. I heard a light clicking noise, which singled my time to speak.

"8...5...6...7...1...4...9...6...4...5...5...2...7...8"

Rei and I huddled above the phone's earpiece while Rei's hand covered the mouthpiece. Yes, we were prank-calling people. We used to call the nuns from school, but caught wind that they had gotten caller ID. Afterwards, we took to odd people from the neighborhood. We then realized that it would be interesting to pick random numbers. Grandfather could only think of the bill as a suitable punishment to make us stop. It didn't work, we paid.

Although it only took seven numbers to dial locally, it took eleven to call long distance and fourteen to call out of country. That was the most fun. To hear people say weird things into the phone questioning the empty air that answered. The best was a man that sat and refused to hang up until his wife talk to him again. That turned out to be grocer down the street, Rei thought she made up the number, but instead, just remember it.

"Hello."

Rei and I snickered at the voice. It was obviously English and seemed to have an accent.

"Hello."

Second times the charm.

"Um, is anyone there?"

Duh!

"Oh! Duh! Um, Moshi moshi?"

"Hai, moshi moshi!" Opps.

"Usagi! What are you doing?" Rei screamed at me as she quickly hung up the phone.

"Gomen Rei, she started talking in our language so quickly after using Eigo that I just reacted."

"Oh, well. It should be okay--"

*Ring*

"Or not."

*Ring*

"Usagi, you get it. It was all your fault anyhow."

*Ri-

"Moshi, Moshi?"

"Gomen for disturbing you, but I just received a phone call from this number. Was that you?" A young feminine voice asked in perfect Japanese.

"Um, hai. But it was, um... a mistake?" I asked more than stated.

"Oh, um, are you sure? You don't sound very sure."

"Well...please forgive me. My cousin and I were playing a prank joke and accidentally called you."

"Is that all? You didn't get my number from one of the kids at school?" The voice asked in a very suspicious tone.

"Why would one of the kids have your number? Your from England, right?" I asked while giving Rei a look of utter confusion. She seemed equally confused, having heard both sides of the conversation through my mind.

"Aren't you? I just pressed the connect button on the ID monitor, I didn't look at the name or number."

"No, I'm, we're from Japan. Tokyo actually."

"Really!" The girl shouted into the phone. "It's been so long since I've gotten to speak to someone from Tokyo. That's where I'm from. Well, at least, that's where I'm from when my parents don't decide to move to England for three years."

"Ohh." I responded. I really didn't know what else to say to someone who talked so fast.

'She talks just like you do.' Rei said in answer to my thoughts.

"Shut up, Rei!" I yelled both at Rei and the phone.

"Who are you yelling at?" The voice on the phone asked.

"My cousin Rei. She's being a loud mouth."

"Oh. Well, what's your name?"

"Usagi. What's yours?"

"Minako. Nice to meet you."

*~*

Minako, Rei, and I talked for many hours that night. Well, at least it was night for us. I guess it was just the early evening for Minako. It turned out that she was actually from Juuban, same as Rei and I. Her parents went to England to work for some company for a three-year term and made her go with them. She hated school and the kids made fun of her constantly.

We all talked as often as we could. Grandfather was thrilled that Rei and I finally made another friend, although he seemed to wish that she were closer by. Minako's phone bill was expensive and required us to cut out all other prank calling.

Weeks passed from the day when the birds came and refused to move. They became friends of the shrine and never left. Never again did they communicate with Rei or I, no matter what we tried. However, we accepted Phobos and Deimos into our family and took care to provide them with a small shelter in their preferred tree and food.

Our lives again became as normal as possible, which should have been the first warning sign that something would occur. Of course, when it seems as nothing could go wrong, it always does.

*~*

Rei and I were approaching the steps to the shrine after school when we noticed some dark storm clouds moving into the city. We raced up the steps, anxious to get our chores done before the rain came, and ran over to the side shed. Armed with weapon of choice, Rei's broom and my rake, we attacked the offending leaves.

We were about finished when a low rumbling echoed in the sky. The same time as the thunder sounded, the temple's paper screen opened, revealing Grandfather and a man in a business suit. Grandfather had a very solemn expression on his face as he shook the man's hand.

I watched as the man passed before me and headed down the stairs. I turned back to find Grandfather's face blank.

"Rei, please take Usagi's rake and put it away. The storm will be here soon. Usagi, I must speak to you privately."

I nodded to Grandfather as I handed Rei the rake. I made my way slowly up the steps. Grandfather was shielding his thoughts from me and that made me nervous. I stopped in front of him at the top of the stairs to the porch that wrapped around the shrine. The face my Grandfather wore froze me in place and I felt I could move no farther.

"My dear Usagi. I have some news that may be difficult for you to handle." I nodded my head in understanding. "That man was from the bank. He says that the account holding the inheritance from your parents' death has been frozen. Someone has insisted that an investigation into the funds you and Shingo received from your parents' death must occur before the funds are released."

"Grandfather," I cleared my throat of the large stone that seemed to have suddenly become stuck in it and tried again to speak. "Grandfather, why must they investigate into our funds?"

"Someone thinks that money was acquired by your parents illegally, which I assure you that I do not believe."

"Well, what happens now?" I asked, not truly sure that I wanted to hear the answer.

"Usagi, you and Shingo must attend the local public school. I cannot afford to send you to school without the money from your inheritance. I am sorry, but you must change school in a weeks time."

The thunder rumbled again in the sky, much closer than it had been before.

"I understand."

"Usagi--"

"Grandfather, I'm okay, honest." I said with my most assuring voice, although I felt like falling to ground in tears. I am sure that my emotions were easily flooding my Grandfather's mind, but he accepted my statement and left me.

I sat down on the porch steps and stared out into the darkened sky. The air had cooled and the wind was picking up from the approaching storm. Slowly, large drops of water began to fall from the clouds looming above me. The rain increased around me and soaked away the tears that had spilt from my eyes.

I remained in the pouring rain for quite a while trying to figure out who would try to dishonor my parents death five years later. Unable to come to any conclusion, I decided that it would be best just to deal with the situation in the best possible way. After all, I could still talk to Rei all the time even if we were in two different buildings.

With this happy thought lodged into my brain, I stood and turned away from the storm howling about me. I wrung out my hair and proceeded into the temple towards my bedroom. I opened the screen to find a concerned Rei and a sleeping Shingo cuddled on her lap.

"He was worried about you. We thought we would wait for you to return." Rei said quietly.

"It will be okay Rei. I will be okay." I said with a small smile. I leaned over Shingo's head and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. "Help me get him to bed?"

*~*

"I look awful!"

"You look fine!"

"If I look so fine, you wear it!"

"No way! I prefer gray and red."

"So do I!"

"Look Usagi, it will just be for a little while. These people will finish and find that there is nothing to find. You'll get your funds back and you will be back at TA with me in no time."

"I hope your right Rei." I said as I straightened out my blue skirt one more time. It seemed so long compared to my TA gray skirt that was now hanging in my closet.

I sighed one last time before saying goodbye and heading towards my new school. Unfortunately, it was a further distance to Juuban Junior High and I would not arrive as early as I used to at TA.

'No early cramming today.' I thought with a sigh.

'Who are you kidding, your cramming is worse than doing nothing at all.'

'Shut up Rei. Don't you need to concentrate on getting to school?'

'Nope, already there. Enjoy your walk.' Rei responded with a snicker.

Ugh. Sometimes I love to hate my cousin. She can really be as big of a pain as Shingo when she wants to be.

I was pulled from my internal ranting about my cousin (which I hope she heard) when I heard a weird screeching sound from a nearby ally. I turned from my path to find four boys who were teasing a cat and trying to tie cans to its tail. The poor animal looked scared to death, so I stepped in.

"Hey! Leave that poor cat alone."

"Oh yeah? What you gonna do about it?"

Okay. When all else fails (even though I didn't try anything else first) and you have a special ability to read minds, look for what they are scared of most and use it.

"I'll tell your mom, whose name is Kiko, that you were the one who hit the hutch last night and broke her favorite fine china."

"How did you...never mind. Let's go guys." The boys said, trying to sound tough and in charge. I hope that none of those boys are in Shingo's new class.

Walking over to the poor cat in the corner, I felt, odd. That's the only way to describe it. I reached down to the cat and picked her up. She struggled a little.

"Don't worry sweetheart, I won't hurt you."

The cat looked up to my eyes in understanding. There was a strange mark on her forehead. It looked like a small white smile. The rest of her fur was pitch black.

The animal seemed to be starring at me when I suddenly heard a bell ringing in the distance.

"Oh, I'm going to be late!" I yelled as I set the cat down on the ground.

"Ja ne, little neko!" I yelled over my shoulder to the cat that was still starring at me from her position on the ground of the ally. Weird.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Okay, some quick notes.

1. I do not know how to make out of country calls. I made that stuff up, though I know there is something to do with a country code and other stuff you have to dial. Also, if this is your number, which I doubt, sorry about using it! My psychic senses just choose that number randomly as I typed.

2. I do not know time zones. I'm not sure if England is before Japan or vice versa. I also don't know how many hours separate the two. Just humor me or correct me. ChibiJ77@yahoo.com