Disclaimer: I don't own Sailormoon. Only this story line.

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Chapter Two : Friends Forever?

She ate the whole loaf!

Demi felt like crying again. He had just baked the loaf yesterday morning. And it was supposed to last him till tomorrow.

Rini stood quietly in the corner with her hands behind her. She had looked so innocent. Until she told him that she had already eaten the loaf. She had been smiling so adoringly at him the whole time. He didn't have the heart to get angry at her.

Daft, he thought again. His stomach began to grumble. Much as he wanted to swear, he held his frustration in. His mother taught him better than that. He sighed in exasperation.

"Well, I guess it's apples again today," Demi turned to look at Rini.

She returned the look with her brightest smile.

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After Demi had eaten, he decided to go to sleep early. It had been an emotionally draining day. Even Rini was yawning while sitting on the stool.

"I better make you a bed. You look like you're going to fall over." Standing up, he went to his bed of hay. I suppose I can spare some. She's a small kid anyway and this is quite a lot of hay. Throwing up the covers, Demi proceeded to take some of the hay.

Now, where do I put it. Demi looked around. Better put it near the hearth so she won't get too cold later. Not too close, though. I don't want the hay to catch fire.

He put the hay down. He repeated the procedure until he made what he thought was comfortable mound. Now for the covers. He remembered, there are no other covers. Demi stood by his bed, thinking. Then, taking his blanket, he spread it around the little mound of hay he had made. There. I hope the morning won't be too cold. Then he looked at his pillow. I suppose I should give it to her. it's only one night. Holding the pillow close for a moment, he thought of his mother. She had bought the down from the market on his ninth birthday and made him this pillow as a present. It had cost his parents a lot of money, and they didn't have all that much. It's okay, mom. Rini needs it today. Demi takes his face out of the pillow and sets it down gently on Rini's bed.

"Alright. Time for bed, sleepyhead." He turned around. Rini was already fast asleep on the stool with her head tucked in her arms on the table, her blond curls falling gently on her face.

She reminded him of the huge porcelain doll he had seen in town once. A crowd of girls had gathered around the dollmaker's shop that day. They said that it was made in honor of a princess born the day before in some distant land. Nobody he knew could afford it, though. And it stayed in the shop window for nearly two years. The day it disappeared, rumor was circulating that a princess had bought it.

What am I thinking? Tsk, tsk. Carefully, Demi removed Rini's cloak and set it on the table. Trying not to wake her, he positioned her head on his left shoulder and maneuvered to get his right arm under her legs. At that moment Rini turned around and put her arms around his neck, burying her face on Demi's tunic. Demi froze. He didn't want Rini to wake up and bawl.

When he was sure that Rini was secure, he lifted her up and carried her little body towards the newly made bed.

Ooof. She's a mite heavy. Demi set Rini as gently as he could on her bed. Luckily, Rini had decided to turn her head onto the down pillow, making it easy for him to extricate himself from her embrace.

"Sweet dreams little girl," he whispered. Then he got up and made his way towards his own bed.

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Demi shivered. It was cold. He could hear the raindrops splattering on the thatched roof. He thought about his blanket and reached out to grab it from under his pillow. Wait. He couldn't feel his pillow. Then he remembered. He'd given his pillow and his blanket to the kid. He groaned. He'd better put on two more shirts before he froze to death.

Sleepily, he opened his eyes one after the other. The room was dark as well as blurry. Demi blinked rapidly to adjust his vision. Suddenly, lightning tore the sky outside. Thunder roared deafeningly and light filled the whole room. What he saw after that was enough to drive him all the way back to the wall with a terrified scream.

Standing there in front of him was Rini. Her face was placed about five inches from where his was when he had opened his eyes. She was wearing such a soulful expression and was sucking at her thumb again. Behind her she had the pillow and the blanket, which he had mistaken for a hunchback. After seeing Demi's reaction, Rini's eyes began to fill with tears.

"I'm scared," Rini managed to say despite her tears.

Demi counted to ten. By the time he got to eight, his heart stopped pounding and his blood had returned to his face. "Fine soldier I'd be. got scared by a girl. twice," he muttered.

To Rini, he said, "Go back to bed," Demi pointed to the pile of hay he had arranged near the hearth earlier. "It's just a bit of rain. There's nothing to be frightened about. Go on. You're a big girl."

"I'm scared," she said simply. and began to climb up his bed.

"No!" he pushed Rini gently. "Go back."

Rini ignored him. She was stubborn when she wanted to. And tonight, her lip had a very determined pout.

She set down the pillow and fluffed it. Then she grabbed Demi by the collar and made him lay his head on the pillow. Demi obliged. He was just too tired to argue. Then, Rini aired out the blanket until it covered the both of them.

"Okay. I can sleep now."

Rini promptly kissed him on the cheek and put her arms around his neck. "Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs bite." Rini gave a yawn before she finally settled her face onto Demi's neck.

Demi was stunned for a moment. What was he supposed to do? Finally giving in, he put his arms around the tiny body and cradled her gently in his arms. "Goodnight, Rini," he whispered softly before he kissed her brow. She smelled of roses.

This is nice, he thought as he drifted off to sleep. I wish mom and dad had given me a little sister. Maybe then I wouldn't be so lonely. and the darkness claimed his consciousness.

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Sorry, will update soon. ^_^