When I Was A Little Girl
Chapter 6
By: Chibi J
Rated: G
Okay, so some of you may know that I'm a teacher (if ya didn't, ya do know!). Well, my students love Dr. Seuss and since it was just his birthday, here is my disclaimer in tribute to him.
I would not, could not own it here,
I would not, could not own it there.
I could not own it in a box,
I could not own it with a fox.
I will not own it, not in June,
I will not own this Sailor Moon.
Whatcha think? (*looks around to see people slowly creeping away*) O'well. Good thing I have a day job!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Mercury! Duck!" I shouted quickly as I watched the youma suddenly turn and fire in Ami's direction.
"Fire Soul!" Rei shouted as a stream of fire shot from her hands towards the hideous creature, singeing its shoulder. It was a sick orange colored thing with a feminine shape and small little circles covering its body. It look liked it fell into a box of Cheerios.
"Sailor Mercury, provide some distraction. Sailor Moon, take it from there." Luna commanded from the sidelines.
"Hai!" We responded in unison.
"Hey ugly!" Ami yelled, effectively turning the beast in her direction. It stomped towards her, but Ami placed her arms in front of her chest, which caused it to stop moving in anticipation of the attack. "Shabon Spray!"
I could hear the youma laughing as if it had expected a more powerful attack, but instead got bubbles. Well, if it wants a more powerful attack...
"Moon Tiara Action!" I screamed as I let the disc of energy fly from my hands. The warm energy from the flying tiara immediately dissipated the fog of Mercury's bubbles allowing the youma to see the attack flying towards it. As if in a last attempt to save itself, the creature let off one last fire of orange energy, which fell nowhere near us.
As we transformed back, I saw Luna running to congratulate us, or tell us what we did wrong. However, I was looking in the direction the youma's shot had fired. I had a weird feeling in my stomach, but Luna began to talk before I could express my worry.
"Excellent teamwork. You are really beginning to show control of your powers." Luna said with pride in her voice. Yet, I could just hear it coming, "But you need to think ahead. Never expect a youma to only fight straight ahead. They're are not motionless and you had a close call Ami."
Ami nodded her head in understanding. She was always the most accepting of Luna and her lectures. Rei would often get snippy and I seemed to get picked on a lot. Such was our life as of recent.
About two weeks after my fourteenth birthday came the youma. Ami was excited to try out her power, but quickly learned that fighting creatures of the Dark Moon was not fun. Actually, it was fairly exhaustive. We have been fighting almost daily against these things for over a month. School started two weeks ago, taking any free time with it.
"Usagi!" I heard Luna yell. "I have been talking to you! Why aren't you listening?" She asked slightly upset. I think she worries that Rei and I are talking telepathically when she cannot get our attention. Many times, she's right.
"Gomen Luna. But I have this weird feeling. I don't know."
Luna looked at me with concern in her eyes. Although she was strict with us, she also cared a great deal.
"Try to explain it. What do you feel?" She asked quietly, as if trying to study the inner workings of my mind. That is a task that no mortal should take on. Who knows what they would find in there.
"It's like a burning sensation. Pain, fear, crying. It hurts. But it's not me." I said as I began to wander. No one said anything, but just followed me. "It hurts, it hurts terribly."
Although I could hear myself say the words and felt myself moving, I didn't feel like I had any control. I wandered towards the area of the misfired shot. There, lying on the ground was a bird that appeared badly injured. I dropped to the ground and scooped up the poor creature.
The rest was rather blurry. I felt really bad for the poor animal and wished I could help it. I remember feeling warm and happy, as if in a dream. I don't know what happened, but as I cooled down, I drifted into sleep.
*~*
My life has never been free of burdens. Although I can remember all the happy times with my parents and grandparents and the time before Rei and I learned to communicate telepathically. I find that my life now leaves little time for memories.
The gift, more like curse, of another power decided to bestow itself upon me. Grandfather informed me that this is not an inheritance and so must be from my newfound life as a Sailor Senshi. Luna, however, does not have memories of any Senshi ever having this power before.
The ability to heal others has been bestowed upon me. Ami and Rei described it as a white light that ran the length of my entire body only to leak out my fingertips to the small animal I was assisting. Unfortunately, I do not know what I did and suspect that it will take some time to learn how to use this power. As it was, I slept for six hours afterwards and I only helped a little bird.
For weeks after my new power was discovered Ami tried to make me use the power so that she could analyze me. Her curious mind craved more information that I, unfortunately, could not provide. It seemed that I could not call upon this power by waving my hand or stomping my feet or anything physical. I could only explain the situation as an intense emotional need. Poor Ami, she even went as far to cut her finger to try to inspire my healing ability. Unfortunately for her, I was laughing so hard at her antics that I could not feel anything but humor. She was upset by the fact that she ended up with a band-aid instead of a miracle.
I was very thankful when her pursuit of knowledge took a detour from me to a new computer program. I was even more thankful when Grandfather decided to let Rei and I neglect our chores. He no longer required us to sweep the shrine steps every day but alternate with Shingo. Although he wasn't happy, we were elated. This gave us back the free time that the youma attacks had stolen.
*~*
"Come on, come on, come on!" I shouted at the video game in front of me. Amazingly enough, it was a game about the sailor senshi. I find it interesting that it takes years and years and still we cannot come up with cures for diseases, yet they can make a video game, mass produce, and ship it out in about a week.
"Noooo!" I yelled at the machine as I watched the words "Game Over" scroll down the screen. Disgusted, I left the game area and began to walk back to the table where Ami and Rei were sitting. I had moved no more than five feet when someone walked through the door and bumped into me.
"Gomen, Odango Atama." A familiar voice said with a hint of humor. "We seem destined to keep running into each other."
"Hai, that we do. Please, my name is Usagi, not Odango Atama." I said slightly irritated. This, well, body, that I seemed so intent on running into simply smiled down at me in amusement.
"Oh? So your odango are really just bunny ears?"
I felt red. You know, that feeling when all the blood rushes to your head and you will only feel better when you explode? That's where I was. Years of patience and training and this person seemed intent on destroying me.
"Usagi, please, calm down, I was only joking. Come ko-neko, I'll buy you a milkshake to make it up to you."
"Ah, you know how to find my weak spot." I said with a smile, all anger disappearing. "My cousin and friend are waiting for me over here. Would you like to join us?"
"Sure." The stranger replied with ease.
We approached the table and I saw Rei look up and take notice. A small smile from Ami and a nod of approval from Rei led into a round of introductions.
"This is my cousin, Hino Rei. And this is our friend Mizuno Ami." I said with a happy smile.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Tenoh Haruka."
*~*
Although Haruka was often mistaken for a boy, due to her dress and mannerisms, Rei, Ami, and I quickly and easily discovered that she was, in fact, a girl. Okay, so maybe she was a little tomboyish, but still a girl.
We spent a large portion of the afternoon chatting away in our booth at the Crown Arcade, happy to make a new friend and spend a day youma free. Although we doubted that the youma knew it was our day off, we were grateful for the break.
Haruka, once you got past the light teasing and nicknames, was a truly enjoyable person. She had lots of interesting stories to tell, mostly about her friends from school. Haruka attended Juban High and was in eleventh grade. She claimed to have only a few friends, but I imagine that she has more of a following than she is willing to admit. The team leader of the track team, a pianist in the orchestra, and a member of the basketball team could hardly find herself without people whom would admire her and dream to be her. Yet she seemed to hold very high ideals and could be very picky about whom she associated with.
By the time we left the Crown that evening, we had begun to talk and act as if the four of us had been friends for years. Not only did the promise of meeting and talking again make me feel happy, but it seemed to make Haruka happy as well.
*~*
"You got Rei's room. Leave a message and either Usagi or I will get right back at 'cha!"
"Hey girls, Mina here! Just calling to chat. Give a call back!"
*~*
Rei and I arrived back at the shrine just in time for dinner. Luckily, we hadn't eaten too much at the arcade or Grandfather would have been upset at use for refusing his dinner. The meal was quite enjoyable and the conversation was very pleasant. We were disguising Shingo's day and passing dessert when the phone rang.
"Moshi, Moshi." Grandfather said simply as he picked up the phone. During the day he would usually add a special greeting for those calling for the assistance of the Hikawa Shrine. However, he felt that at night this was a home more than a shrine.
"Ami?" Grandfather said with a questioning tone, as if he could not believe that it was her. I immediately jumped from my seat and ran to take the phone from him.
"Ami, what's up?" I asked, knowing that it was an emergency. Before she even spoke I was reading her mind.
"Youma, hurry!"
"Hai!" I quickly replied and hung up the phone. Behind me, Sailor Mars was waiting to go. I transformed and we ran out the door together. In the moments that I read Ami's thoughts I picked up her location. The park. Originality is not one of these creatures' strong points. Actually, they are all dumb, repetitive, and ugly. The only thing they had was increasing strength, which was a little aggravating.
We arrived at the park in no time to find Ami, Sailor Mercury, hiding behind a tree firing out small bursts of bubbles. Her attack was distracting the youma, by tickling it. The sight it made was quite humorous. The purple feminine beast would try to stand, Ami would fire a small stream of bubbles, and the youma would fall to the ground laughing again.
Thanks to Ami's, umm, distraction, very little power was needed. A quick toss of my tiara and we were done.
*~*
"You got Usagi's room. Leave a message and either Rei or I will get right back at 'cha!"
"Hey it's me, Mina. I need you guys to call me! Please. Later."
*~*
Having wrapped up the attack at the park rather quickly, Rei, Ami, and I decided to transform back and take a walk around the park. Due to recent events, we hadn't been able to truly enjoy a day at the park for a while. However, it was a warm night and the stars and moon were lighting the park with a warm glow.
"We need to find a better way to get a hold of each other." I blurted out after a moment of silence took over the group.
"Hai, I agree. It's difficult to have to leave an attack to find a payphone." Ami said with a small giggle. That was exactly what had occurred to her today.
"Well," Rei started, as if in serious concentration, "Usa and I can contact each other easily. So as long as one of us can be reached, were okay. But what do we use? Cell phones?"
"Hmm, maybe." Ami said with an inquisitive look. I could tell that she was working the problem thoroughly in her head. Personally, I am afraid to peep into Ami's mind. I'm sure that I would get dizzy and fall down from the stuff in her brain.
"But there are two many complications with phones. We need something quick and easy, like long-range walky-talkies. But they have to be on a secure frequency and compact. Something that people won't notice or be suspicious of." Ami thought out loud as we continued to walk.
"Give me a day or two." Ami said with a nod to Rei and I. The rest of our walk was in a peaceful silence, although it was obvious that Ami's mind was working non-stop.
*~*
"You've reached the Hikawa Shrine. Please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Our prayers and blessings are with you."
"Oh, come on. Doesn't anyone live here anymore!! You have got to call me!"
*~*
Rei, Ami, and I finished our walk around the park and decided that we should all head home. After all, it was a school night and it was getting to be late. We said our good-byes and headed in opposite directions. Rei and I hadn't gotten to far when I began to feel itchy.
'Usa and Rei...' a voice attempting to sound scary raced across my mind. Yep, definitely a Shingo-rash, very itchy and very annoying. I looked to Rei and we rolled our eyes simultaneously.
'Usa and Rei...' again, very annoying. Although Shingo wasn't as bad as most people find little brothers tend to be, he still tried.
'Usa and Rei...' I was ready to shout, mentally and verbally. Rei and I had decided a while back that when he played these games that we would ignore him. Our hopes of him growing up were high, but the chance of that happening-unlikely.
'Usa and Rei...I'm gonna...' "GET YOU!"
"AAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!" and we fled down the street. About a block away, we stopped, turned, and marched back to the young man with the death wish.
Grandfather was standing with Shingo, both with amusement clearly written across their faces. However, it was Shingo that had to die. And he knew it. Once we were within ten feet of the two, Shingo ran as fast as his little legs would carry him. Not fast enough.
Rei and I tackled my little brother to the ground and pinned down his limbs. Grandfather walked over with a light and happy expression. Shingo looked up to the old man with a pleading look.
"Gomen, Shingo. But I told you not to do it. Go ahead girls, punish him." Grandfather said, trying not to laugh outright. Receiving permission to punish the little brat made it all the more fun, knowing that we would not be punished for what we did. So Rei and I let loose our most lethal attack on Shingo, the ever powerful tickle attack!
*~*
Once the pleasantries of Shingo's punishment were past, Grandfather took us to the ice-cream shop for a quick treat before going home to bed. However, knowing my grandfather the way I do, I knew that there was something else on his mind. Shortly after Rei and Shingo ran off to a video game, he began talking to me.
"Usa dear, the man from the bank stopped by today and talked to me." Do I know my grandfather or what? "He gave me an update on the investigation."
I nodded at Grandfather to continue, although I wasn't sure if I wanted to know.
"He said that your parents and grandparents are not under investigation, but that the money that was given to them by your great-uncle may not have been legal. They have freed up some of your funds, but not enough to switch back to TA yet." Grandfather paused to sip his drink, as if avoiding continuing.
'Grandfather, please tell me the rest.' I asked with concern. Whatever he was hiding, he was doing it for me.
"Hai. Evidently, the police and bank believe that your great-uncle was involved with some not so business-like people. He didn't do anything wrong necessarily, but a man he was know to be friends with was accused of murder. The police believe that the man was giving money to your great-uncle to hold for him. Then the man disappeared. When your great-uncle passed away, the money was still willed to his family and therefore was passed onto your grandparents and onto you.
"The police and the bank are trying to prove that the money actually belonged to the murderer and retrieve it. So they are going to continue investigating into the affairs of your great-uncle and this man until they find the proof or disproof they need to solve all their questions."
Grandfather and I sat in silence for a couple minutes before Rei and Shingo had returned from the video game they had been playing. I smiled lovingly at Shingo and gave him a pat on the head. In a way, I was grateful that my parents and grandparents passed away before they learned of what dishonor was being brought to the family name. If what Grandfather said was true, then a man I never met that lived in another country would disgrace my whole family.
Shortly after, we left the ice-cream parlor and headed for home. It was a quiet walk to the shrine, as if everyone had known what Grandfather had told me and it was soaking into their systems. However, I knew that Rei and Shingo had no idea of what Grandfather and I discussed.
"Now, to bed immediately and I will be checking." Grandfather said in a stern voice the moment we walked into the shrine. His tone of voice left no room for argument as we each proceeded to our rooms.
Entering my room, I found the light on my answering machine blinking. Although I thought twice before pushing it, I knew that the message might be important.
"Hey it's me, Mina. I need you guys to call me! Please. Later."
I had to laugh. Minako sounded as if the end of the world was coming.
'Rei, Minako called.'
'You too? She called me and left a message to call. It sounds important.'
'Yeah, she sounded a little nervous. Wonder what's up?'
"I said go to bed!" Grandfather yelled from down the hall.
'Well, whatever it is, will have to wait until tomorrow.' I thought in a whisper. 'Good night.'
'Night Usa.'
"I mean it. Sleep now!!"
Not wishing to upset Grandfather and get in trouble, I quickly jumped into bed a made a mental note to call Minako right after school.
*~*
Of course the thing with mental notes is that you have to actually remember!
I need to start writing notes for the things to remember. After a day like today, how was I supposed to remember anything!
First, although I had arrived to school on time, I had forgotten one of my homework assignments on my desk. This earned me a detention. Then, during my second period gym class, a youma attacked. It was near the subway by TA school. Rei picked up on its aura and skipped out of school to track it down. She found it and needed my help to destroy it. So Ami and I skipped out of gym.
So, my second detention of the day was received sneaking back into school. Ami was quite upset to get her first detention ever. I felt guilty that she got it and tried to comfort her during third period and was caught talking by the teacher earning, drum roll please, my third detention of the day.
After school, and detention, ended, I walked home to find Rei sweeping the steps by herself. I had let her know my predicament and she agreed that she would start chores right away and I could catch up when I got there. I greatly appreciated it.
However, Grandfather didn't seem too pleased. He was willing to accept one detention for the youma attack, but three? Nope, not acceptable. So I was blessed with the extra chores punishment. Always my favorite. Please note that I am being very sarcastic.
By the time I had finished all the chores, done my homework, and ate my dinner, I was exhausted. I collapsed on the bed and completely forgot to call Mina.
So when the phone rang hours later and woke me from a very sound sleep, I was a little disturbed. I reached over and grabbed the phone and silently vowed to kill the caller.
"Moshi, moshi." I moaned into the phone.
"Usagi?" It was Minako and she sounded like she was going to explode.
"Hai. What's up Minako?"
"Where have you been? I've been calling forever! Why didn't you call me back?"
"Gomen Mina..." I stopped. I could feel Minako's emotions pouring off of her like water over Niagara Falls. Her thoughts were screaming in my head. However, one stuck out and I couldn't help but want to laugh. Life was full of so many ironies.
"Minako, since when are you a Sailor Senshi?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Doesn't that seem like a great place to stop?? I thought so.
Well now, we got another familiar face in the crowd. See Ceara, I got Haruka in next!
Hmm, okay. So I know it is a little unrealistic to have all those phone lines, but I used to have a friend whom had a personal phone line in every bedroom and a main line for the house. Can you imagine that phone bill!
Okay, comments to ChibiJ77@yahoo.com
Chapter 6
By: Chibi J
Rated: G
Okay, so some of you may know that I'm a teacher (if ya didn't, ya do know!). Well, my students love Dr. Seuss and since it was just his birthday, here is my disclaimer in tribute to him.
I would not, could not own it here,
I would not, could not own it there.
I could not own it in a box,
I could not own it with a fox.
I will not own it, not in June,
I will not own this Sailor Moon.
Whatcha think? (*looks around to see people slowly creeping away*) O'well. Good thing I have a day job!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Mercury! Duck!" I shouted quickly as I watched the youma suddenly turn and fire in Ami's direction.
"Fire Soul!" Rei shouted as a stream of fire shot from her hands towards the hideous creature, singeing its shoulder. It was a sick orange colored thing with a feminine shape and small little circles covering its body. It look liked it fell into a box of Cheerios.
"Sailor Mercury, provide some distraction. Sailor Moon, take it from there." Luna commanded from the sidelines.
"Hai!" We responded in unison.
"Hey ugly!" Ami yelled, effectively turning the beast in her direction. It stomped towards her, but Ami placed her arms in front of her chest, which caused it to stop moving in anticipation of the attack. "Shabon Spray!"
I could hear the youma laughing as if it had expected a more powerful attack, but instead got bubbles. Well, if it wants a more powerful attack...
"Moon Tiara Action!" I screamed as I let the disc of energy fly from my hands. The warm energy from the flying tiara immediately dissipated the fog of Mercury's bubbles allowing the youma to see the attack flying towards it. As if in a last attempt to save itself, the creature let off one last fire of orange energy, which fell nowhere near us.
As we transformed back, I saw Luna running to congratulate us, or tell us what we did wrong. However, I was looking in the direction the youma's shot had fired. I had a weird feeling in my stomach, but Luna began to talk before I could express my worry.
"Excellent teamwork. You are really beginning to show control of your powers." Luna said with pride in her voice. Yet, I could just hear it coming, "But you need to think ahead. Never expect a youma to only fight straight ahead. They're are not motionless and you had a close call Ami."
Ami nodded her head in understanding. She was always the most accepting of Luna and her lectures. Rei would often get snippy and I seemed to get picked on a lot. Such was our life as of recent.
About two weeks after my fourteenth birthday came the youma. Ami was excited to try out her power, but quickly learned that fighting creatures of the Dark Moon was not fun. Actually, it was fairly exhaustive. We have been fighting almost daily against these things for over a month. School started two weeks ago, taking any free time with it.
"Usagi!" I heard Luna yell. "I have been talking to you! Why aren't you listening?" She asked slightly upset. I think she worries that Rei and I are talking telepathically when she cannot get our attention. Many times, she's right.
"Gomen Luna. But I have this weird feeling. I don't know."
Luna looked at me with concern in her eyes. Although she was strict with us, she also cared a great deal.
"Try to explain it. What do you feel?" She asked quietly, as if trying to study the inner workings of my mind. That is a task that no mortal should take on. Who knows what they would find in there.
"It's like a burning sensation. Pain, fear, crying. It hurts. But it's not me." I said as I began to wander. No one said anything, but just followed me. "It hurts, it hurts terribly."
Although I could hear myself say the words and felt myself moving, I didn't feel like I had any control. I wandered towards the area of the misfired shot. There, lying on the ground was a bird that appeared badly injured. I dropped to the ground and scooped up the poor creature.
The rest was rather blurry. I felt really bad for the poor animal and wished I could help it. I remember feeling warm and happy, as if in a dream. I don't know what happened, but as I cooled down, I drifted into sleep.
*~*
My life has never been free of burdens. Although I can remember all the happy times with my parents and grandparents and the time before Rei and I learned to communicate telepathically. I find that my life now leaves little time for memories.
The gift, more like curse, of another power decided to bestow itself upon me. Grandfather informed me that this is not an inheritance and so must be from my newfound life as a Sailor Senshi. Luna, however, does not have memories of any Senshi ever having this power before.
The ability to heal others has been bestowed upon me. Ami and Rei described it as a white light that ran the length of my entire body only to leak out my fingertips to the small animal I was assisting. Unfortunately, I do not know what I did and suspect that it will take some time to learn how to use this power. As it was, I slept for six hours afterwards and I only helped a little bird.
For weeks after my new power was discovered Ami tried to make me use the power so that she could analyze me. Her curious mind craved more information that I, unfortunately, could not provide. It seemed that I could not call upon this power by waving my hand or stomping my feet or anything physical. I could only explain the situation as an intense emotional need. Poor Ami, she even went as far to cut her finger to try to inspire my healing ability. Unfortunately for her, I was laughing so hard at her antics that I could not feel anything but humor. She was upset by the fact that she ended up with a band-aid instead of a miracle.
I was very thankful when her pursuit of knowledge took a detour from me to a new computer program. I was even more thankful when Grandfather decided to let Rei and I neglect our chores. He no longer required us to sweep the shrine steps every day but alternate with Shingo. Although he wasn't happy, we were elated. This gave us back the free time that the youma attacks had stolen.
*~*
"Come on, come on, come on!" I shouted at the video game in front of me. Amazingly enough, it was a game about the sailor senshi. I find it interesting that it takes years and years and still we cannot come up with cures for diseases, yet they can make a video game, mass produce, and ship it out in about a week.
"Noooo!" I yelled at the machine as I watched the words "Game Over" scroll down the screen. Disgusted, I left the game area and began to walk back to the table where Ami and Rei were sitting. I had moved no more than five feet when someone walked through the door and bumped into me.
"Gomen, Odango Atama." A familiar voice said with a hint of humor. "We seem destined to keep running into each other."
"Hai, that we do. Please, my name is Usagi, not Odango Atama." I said slightly irritated. This, well, body, that I seemed so intent on running into simply smiled down at me in amusement.
"Oh? So your odango are really just bunny ears?"
I felt red. You know, that feeling when all the blood rushes to your head and you will only feel better when you explode? That's where I was. Years of patience and training and this person seemed intent on destroying me.
"Usagi, please, calm down, I was only joking. Come ko-neko, I'll buy you a milkshake to make it up to you."
"Ah, you know how to find my weak spot." I said with a smile, all anger disappearing. "My cousin and friend are waiting for me over here. Would you like to join us?"
"Sure." The stranger replied with ease.
We approached the table and I saw Rei look up and take notice. A small smile from Ami and a nod of approval from Rei led into a round of introductions.
"This is my cousin, Hino Rei. And this is our friend Mizuno Ami." I said with a happy smile.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Tenoh Haruka."
*~*
Although Haruka was often mistaken for a boy, due to her dress and mannerisms, Rei, Ami, and I quickly and easily discovered that she was, in fact, a girl. Okay, so maybe she was a little tomboyish, but still a girl.
We spent a large portion of the afternoon chatting away in our booth at the Crown Arcade, happy to make a new friend and spend a day youma free. Although we doubted that the youma knew it was our day off, we were grateful for the break.
Haruka, once you got past the light teasing and nicknames, was a truly enjoyable person. She had lots of interesting stories to tell, mostly about her friends from school. Haruka attended Juban High and was in eleventh grade. She claimed to have only a few friends, but I imagine that she has more of a following than she is willing to admit. The team leader of the track team, a pianist in the orchestra, and a member of the basketball team could hardly find herself without people whom would admire her and dream to be her. Yet she seemed to hold very high ideals and could be very picky about whom she associated with.
By the time we left the Crown that evening, we had begun to talk and act as if the four of us had been friends for years. Not only did the promise of meeting and talking again make me feel happy, but it seemed to make Haruka happy as well.
*~*
"You got Rei's room. Leave a message and either Usagi or I will get right back at 'cha!"
"Hey girls, Mina here! Just calling to chat. Give a call back!"
*~*
Rei and I arrived back at the shrine just in time for dinner. Luckily, we hadn't eaten too much at the arcade or Grandfather would have been upset at use for refusing his dinner. The meal was quite enjoyable and the conversation was very pleasant. We were disguising Shingo's day and passing dessert when the phone rang.
"Moshi, Moshi." Grandfather said simply as he picked up the phone. During the day he would usually add a special greeting for those calling for the assistance of the Hikawa Shrine. However, he felt that at night this was a home more than a shrine.
"Ami?" Grandfather said with a questioning tone, as if he could not believe that it was her. I immediately jumped from my seat and ran to take the phone from him.
"Ami, what's up?" I asked, knowing that it was an emergency. Before she even spoke I was reading her mind.
"Youma, hurry!"
"Hai!" I quickly replied and hung up the phone. Behind me, Sailor Mars was waiting to go. I transformed and we ran out the door together. In the moments that I read Ami's thoughts I picked up her location. The park. Originality is not one of these creatures' strong points. Actually, they are all dumb, repetitive, and ugly. The only thing they had was increasing strength, which was a little aggravating.
We arrived at the park in no time to find Ami, Sailor Mercury, hiding behind a tree firing out small bursts of bubbles. Her attack was distracting the youma, by tickling it. The sight it made was quite humorous. The purple feminine beast would try to stand, Ami would fire a small stream of bubbles, and the youma would fall to the ground laughing again.
Thanks to Ami's, umm, distraction, very little power was needed. A quick toss of my tiara and we were done.
*~*
"You got Usagi's room. Leave a message and either Rei or I will get right back at 'cha!"
"Hey it's me, Mina. I need you guys to call me! Please. Later."
*~*
Having wrapped up the attack at the park rather quickly, Rei, Ami, and I decided to transform back and take a walk around the park. Due to recent events, we hadn't been able to truly enjoy a day at the park for a while. However, it was a warm night and the stars and moon were lighting the park with a warm glow.
"We need to find a better way to get a hold of each other." I blurted out after a moment of silence took over the group.
"Hai, I agree. It's difficult to have to leave an attack to find a payphone." Ami said with a small giggle. That was exactly what had occurred to her today.
"Well," Rei started, as if in serious concentration, "Usa and I can contact each other easily. So as long as one of us can be reached, were okay. But what do we use? Cell phones?"
"Hmm, maybe." Ami said with an inquisitive look. I could tell that she was working the problem thoroughly in her head. Personally, I am afraid to peep into Ami's mind. I'm sure that I would get dizzy and fall down from the stuff in her brain.
"But there are two many complications with phones. We need something quick and easy, like long-range walky-talkies. But they have to be on a secure frequency and compact. Something that people won't notice or be suspicious of." Ami thought out loud as we continued to walk.
"Give me a day or two." Ami said with a nod to Rei and I. The rest of our walk was in a peaceful silence, although it was obvious that Ami's mind was working non-stop.
*~*
"You've reached the Hikawa Shrine. Please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Our prayers and blessings are with you."
"Oh, come on. Doesn't anyone live here anymore!! You have got to call me!"
*~*
Rei, Ami, and I finished our walk around the park and decided that we should all head home. After all, it was a school night and it was getting to be late. We said our good-byes and headed in opposite directions. Rei and I hadn't gotten to far when I began to feel itchy.
'Usa and Rei...' a voice attempting to sound scary raced across my mind. Yep, definitely a Shingo-rash, very itchy and very annoying. I looked to Rei and we rolled our eyes simultaneously.
'Usa and Rei...' again, very annoying. Although Shingo wasn't as bad as most people find little brothers tend to be, he still tried.
'Usa and Rei...' I was ready to shout, mentally and verbally. Rei and I had decided a while back that when he played these games that we would ignore him. Our hopes of him growing up were high, but the chance of that happening-unlikely.
'Usa and Rei...I'm gonna...' "GET YOU!"
"AAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!" and we fled down the street. About a block away, we stopped, turned, and marched back to the young man with the death wish.
Grandfather was standing with Shingo, both with amusement clearly written across their faces. However, it was Shingo that had to die. And he knew it. Once we were within ten feet of the two, Shingo ran as fast as his little legs would carry him. Not fast enough.
Rei and I tackled my little brother to the ground and pinned down his limbs. Grandfather walked over with a light and happy expression. Shingo looked up to the old man with a pleading look.
"Gomen, Shingo. But I told you not to do it. Go ahead girls, punish him." Grandfather said, trying not to laugh outright. Receiving permission to punish the little brat made it all the more fun, knowing that we would not be punished for what we did. So Rei and I let loose our most lethal attack on Shingo, the ever powerful tickle attack!
*~*
Once the pleasantries of Shingo's punishment were past, Grandfather took us to the ice-cream shop for a quick treat before going home to bed. However, knowing my grandfather the way I do, I knew that there was something else on his mind. Shortly after Rei and Shingo ran off to a video game, he began talking to me.
"Usa dear, the man from the bank stopped by today and talked to me." Do I know my grandfather or what? "He gave me an update on the investigation."
I nodded at Grandfather to continue, although I wasn't sure if I wanted to know.
"He said that your parents and grandparents are not under investigation, but that the money that was given to them by your great-uncle may not have been legal. They have freed up some of your funds, but not enough to switch back to TA yet." Grandfather paused to sip his drink, as if avoiding continuing.
'Grandfather, please tell me the rest.' I asked with concern. Whatever he was hiding, he was doing it for me.
"Hai. Evidently, the police and bank believe that your great-uncle was involved with some not so business-like people. He didn't do anything wrong necessarily, but a man he was know to be friends with was accused of murder. The police believe that the man was giving money to your great-uncle to hold for him. Then the man disappeared. When your great-uncle passed away, the money was still willed to his family and therefore was passed onto your grandparents and onto you.
"The police and the bank are trying to prove that the money actually belonged to the murderer and retrieve it. So they are going to continue investigating into the affairs of your great-uncle and this man until they find the proof or disproof they need to solve all their questions."
Grandfather and I sat in silence for a couple minutes before Rei and Shingo had returned from the video game they had been playing. I smiled lovingly at Shingo and gave him a pat on the head. In a way, I was grateful that my parents and grandparents passed away before they learned of what dishonor was being brought to the family name. If what Grandfather said was true, then a man I never met that lived in another country would disgrace my whole family.
Shortly after, we left the ice-cream parlor and headed for home. It was a quiet walk to the shrine, as if everyone had known what Grandfather had told me and it was soaking into their systems. However, I knew that Rei and Shingo had no idea of what Grandfather and I discussed.
"Now, to bed immediately and I will be checking." Grandfather said in a stern voice the moment we walked into the shrine. His tone of voice left no room for argument as we each proceeded to our rooms.
Entering my room, I found the light on my answering machine blinking. Although I thought twice before pushing it, I knew that the message might be important.
"Hey it's me, Mina. I need you guys to call me! Please. Later."
I had to laugh. Minako sounded as if the end of the world was coming.
'Rei, Minako called.'
'You too? She called me and left a message to call. It sounds important.'
'Yeah, she sounded a little nervous. Wonder what's up?'
"I said go to bed!" Grandfather yelled from down the hall.
'Well, whatever it is, will have to wait until tomorrow.' I thought in a whisper. 'Good night.'
'Night Usa.'
"I mean it. Sleep now!!"
Not wishing to upset Grandfather and get in trouble, I quickly jumped into bed a made a mental note to call Minako right after school.
*~*
Of course the thing with mental notes is that you have to actually remember!
I need to start writing notes for the things to remember. After a day like today, how was I supposed to remember anything!
First, although I had arrived to school on time, I had forgotten one of my homework assignments on my desk. This earned me a detention. Then, during my second period gym class, a youma attacked. It was near the subway by TA school. Rei picked up on its aura and skipped out of school to track it down. She found it and needed my help to destroy it. So Ami and I skipped out of gym.
So, my second detention of the day was received sneaking back into school. Ami was quite upset to get her first detention ever. I felt guilty that she got it and tried to comfort her during third period and was caught talking by the teacher earning, drum roll please, my third detention of the day.
After school, and detention, ended, I walked home to find Rei sweeping the steps by herself. I had let her know my predicament and she agreed that she would start chores right away and I could catch up when I got there. I greatly appreciated it.
However, Grandfather didn't seem too pleased. He was willing to accept one detention for the youma attack, but three? Nope, not acceptable. So I was blessed with the extra chores punishment. Always my favorite. Please note that I am being very sarcastic.
By the time I had finished all the chores, done my homework, and ate my dinner, I was exhausted. I collapsed on the bed and completely forgot to call Mina.
So when the phone rang hours later and woke me from a very sound sleep, I was a little disturbed. I reached over and grabbed the phone and silently vowed to kill the caller.
"Moshi, moshi." I moaned into the phone.
"Usagi?" It was Minako and she sounded like she was going to explode.
"Hai. What's up Minako?"
"Where have you been? I've been calling forever! Why didn't you call me back?"
"Gomen Mina..." I stopped. I could feel Minako's emotions pouring off of her like water over Niagara Falls. Her thoughts were screaming in my head. However, one stuck out and I couldn't help but want to laugh. Life was full of so many ironies.
"Minako, since when are you a Sailor Senshi?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Doesn't that seem like a great place to stop?? I thought so.
Well now, we got another familiar face in the crowd. See Ceara, I got Haruka in next!
Hmm, okay. So I know it is a little unrealistic to have all those phone lines, but I used to have a friend whom had a personal phone line in every bedroom and a main line for the house. Can you imagine that phone bill!
Okay, comments to ChibiJ77@yahoo.com
