Hello Minna! Sorry it has taken me so long to come out with another story but work has to be my top priority right now. I was working on another part of "Bonds" when I got stuck so I decided to work on a new series. Anyway Lady Venus gave me the idea that I should do a story on each of the Chibi Senshi as teens dealing with major issues. Each girl shall get her own part.
I would like to thank Lady Venus for giving me this idea and I would like to thank Rebirth Saturn for giving me a title.
This part will be Ariel's part. This will take place when she is thirteen. She will be suffering from eating disorders. If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder seek help immediately. It's a dangerous disease. Please don't let it progress.
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.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. With the exception of Rini I own the Chibi Senshi.
Breaking Point
Part One: Ariel
Issue: Eating Disorders
By
Angel Raye
Ariel sighed as she pulled on her school uniform. She had stayed up late studying for the high school entrance exam again. While the rest of her class were fifteen or almost fifteen, Ariel had just turned thirteen two months ago. She couldn't believe she was going to be in high school in a few short months.
"Ariel breakfast is ready," Amy's voice called from the kitchen.
"Coming," Ariel called and she headed toward the kitchen. "Good morning," she greeted her parents as she entered the kitchen.
"Good morning," Amy smiled and kissed her daughter on the head.
"Another late night Princess," Greg asked.
"Yes," Ariel sighed. "Studying for those entrance exams."
"Well your mother topped Japan in the entrance exams when she took them," Greg stated.
"I know," Ariel sighed as Amy placed her breakfast in front of her.
"Greg don't pressure her," Amy told him. "After all we know our Ariel will come out on top."
"Of course she will," Greg replied with a proud smile. Ariel only gave him a weak smile in return. She knew she would come out on top. She always did. Many people told her she was a lot like her mother in many ways and Ariel was always glad to hear that. But she was always expected to be at the top. That put a lot of pressure on her. She felt she could never slack off and relax.
"Do you think I'll find a boyfriend in high school," Ariel asked.
"Nani," Greg sputtered into his coffee.
"Sweetie you're only thirteen," Amy pointed out. "You've plenty of time."
"My daughter isn't dating until she turns sixteen," Greg declared.
"Dad," Ariel moaned. "I'll be in grade twelve then." She thought for a moment. "But will any boys find me pretty enough."
"Ariel darling you are pretty," Amy assured her. "You're a very kawaii young girl."
"Kawaii," Ariel muttered. She thought about the other girls who were also taking the entrance exam. Annika was an exotic beauty while Hope was an elegant beauty. Gloria was a very striking beauty too. Faith couldn't care less how she looked but when she did take time on her appearance she was also very attractive. Lately Ariel had been very concerned about how she looked.
"Oh my look at the time," Amy gasped as she looked at her watch. "We need to get going."
"Just a quick trip to the bathroom first," Ariel said as she got up from the table. She quickly ran into the bathroom. She closed the door and then turned on the sink full blast. She didn't want her parents to hear what she was doing. She had been keeping it a secret for the last two months.
Ariel knelt down in front of the toilet. She carefully put two fingers down her throat and purged her breakfast. Once she was done she leaned up against the tub taking deep breaths. Her head felt like it was spinning. After catching her breath she stood up and went to the sink. Her eyes were watering and her face was red, the way she always looked after she purged. She rinsed out her mouth and washed her hands.
"Come on Ariel it's time to go," Amy called through the door.
"Coming Mom," Ariel replied. She quickly washed her face and then prepared to face another day.
[Flashback] Two months earlier...
Ariel was celebrating her thirteenth birthday with everyone else in the palace. As usual there was a palace party to celebrate. Everyone was making a big deal of this since she was the last of the children to turn thirteen. She still had another year to go before she would be upgraded to Cosmic Senshi but that didn't bother her. What bothered her was that everyone still saw her as a baby.
"Who can believe that kawaii little Ariel is now a teenager," Michiru cooed brushing her fingers through Ariel's short blue locks.
"Seems like only yesterday when she would be snuggled into Amy's lap and charming us all with her babyish behaviors," Lita added.
"I'm not a baby anymore," Ariel pointed out in annoyed voice. She had stopped her babyish behaviors by the time she was eight but the label stuck. She was still the baby.
"Everyone knows that Darling," Amy assured her as she slipped an arm around Ariel's thin shoulders. "It's just that you're the youngest and no one wants to see you grow up."
"I know," Ariel sighed. She looked over and saw her friends over by the dessert table. "I am going to join the others."
"Have fun," Amy stated as she kissed Ariel on the cheek. Ariel dashed over to her friends.
"Everyone cooing over you," Maggie asked as she handed Ariel some punch.
"Yes," Ariel replied. "Did everyone make such a big deal when all of you became teenagers?"
"Please," Annika rolled her eyes. "I didn't think Mama would ever stop crying."
"And I got a speech on how I need to start being more feminine," Faith added.
"And then there's the growth spurt," Madelyn sighed. She was fourteen now and had sprouted up this last year. But she was still very small and petite like Hotaru.
"Growth spurt," Ariel exclaimed. "Mom told me I had already hit mine."
"But not completely," Gloria laughed. "Now you will grow out."
"Out," Ariel's eyes widened.
"Of course," Gloria replied with a wicked gleam in her eyes. "Once you have reached your full height then you have to be careful about what you eat. If you eat too much you'll get fat."
"Fat," Ariel exclaimed.
"Oh don't listen to her Ariel," Daisy told her. "You're nothing but skin and bones so you have nothing to worry about."
"Right," Ariel murmured not convinced.
"Now let's have some cake," Hope declared.
"Right," everyone agreed and they went to get some cake. Ariel took a good-sized piece but Gloria's words rang in her head. She didn't want to get fat. As Ariel ate her cake an idea formed in her head. She had read it about it in a doctor's book of psychological disorders. Once she finished she went into the bathroom and stuck her fingers down her throat. Immediately the cake came back up. Satisfied Ariel saw that what she had read worked. She could stay thin and enjoy her favorite foods from time to time. Ariel went back to the party satisfied with her plan.
[End Flashback]
That was two months ago. Since then Ariel had either been skipping meals or forcing herself to throw up after she ate. Now that she had started Ariel couldn't stop. Always having a high metabolism her weight dropped at a fast pace. Due to the fact that it was winter Ariel was able to hide under baggy clothes. There were times when she wanted to tell Amy but she couldn't.
"I wonder what Mama made me for lunch today," Madelyn inquired as she peeked in her lunch bag on the way to school. "Oh good. Meat buns. I love those."
"Mom probably packed me sandwiches again," Ariel murmured as she peeked in her own bag. She was right. Amy had packed sandwiches for her. Ariel really didn't care what Amy packed her for lunch. Her lunch always went to the same place.
"Hey Ariel do you think our practice tests results will be posted today," Annika asked as she came up next to them. Ariel looked enviously at her. Annika, like her mother, was an exotic beauty. Her large violet eyes could melt anyone's heart and she was so petite in both height and weight. Delicate was the word to describe her.
"Maybe," Ariel replied.
"Oh you'll come out on top Ariel," Hope added. Ariel now gazed enviously at her. Hope was very elegant and graceful. She was tall and slim and had the perfect figure. "She's not short and dumpy like I am," Ariel thought bitterly.
"Well I'll be near the bottom," Gloria joked. "But then Mom didn't like studying and she passed her high school entrance exams too." Ariel now gazed at Gloria. Even though she was a Cosmic Senshi and studying for the high school entrance exams, Gloria still found time to be on the volleyball team. Her figure was so shapely. How Ariel would kill to have her figure.
"Ariel are you all right," Faith asked. "You look like you're not getting any sleep."
Ariel looked at Faith next. The most athletic one of the group, her figure was perfect. "I'm fine," Ariel replied. "I guess I am just studying too hard."
"We all are," Annika sighed. "Come on. We're going to be late." Everyone nodded in agreement and headed toward school. Once they got there everyone headed to their classes. Ariel stopped at the trashcan and threw her lunch away. She did that everyday and then went to the library for lunch. Everyone believed that she ate while she was studying. They didn't need to know. Ariel was determined that she wasn't going to be found out.
Once they returned to the palace that afternoon Ariel and Madelyn headed up to the doctor's wing to see their mothers. Amy was in her office going over some paperwork. "Hi Mom," Ariel greeted her.
"Hi Darling," Amy smiled at her daughter and held out her arms. Ariel went into them. Amy frowned as she felt her daughter's bones. Was she losing weight? "How was school today?"
"It was okay," Ariel replied. "I came out top in the last practice exam."
"Good for you," Amy cried ecstatically as she hugged her daughter again. "We'll celebrate with your father tonight. Won't that be fun?"
"I would like that," Ariel stated with false enthusiasm. Celebrations usually meant food. "We don't have a study session today right?"
"Right Darling," Amy replied. "I have appointments all afternoon today so you girls are free to study on your own. Why don't you go back to our quarters and have a snack? I'll be there in a couple of hours."
"All right Mom," Ariel stated as she picked her book bag up. "I guess I am kind of hungry."
"I'll see you in a while," Amy called as Ariel left. Frowning Amy pulled out her daughter's file and checked the weight from her last physical. She had always been underweight but her last physical showed that it wasn't a problem. "Maybe I'm just being overly concerned," Amy thought as she put the file away. She got back to work but the nagging feeling in the back of her head stayed.
Moonbeam was out so Ariel had the quarters to herself. She was glad. She couldn't do what she wanted when there were others around. Ariel went into the kitchen. There was ice cream in the freezer, cake in the refrigerator and cookies in the cabinet. Ariel helped herself to a huge piece of cake, several large scoops of ice cream and about a dozen cookies. She ate it quickly, shoving all of it into her mouth at a rapid pace. Once done Ariel, clutching her stomach went to the bathroom. She shoved her fingers down her throat and the food came back up. Feeling dizzy Ariel propped herself against the wall to recover from the purge. The room was spinning. "It will pass in a moment," Ariel thought. "It always does."
"Ariel," Moonbeam's voice came from the other side of the door. "Are you all right in there?"
"I'm fine," Ariel hastily replied as she stood up. She quickly rinsed out her mouth. Then putting on a false smile she opened the door. "When did you get home?"
"A few minutes ago," Moonbeam told her. "Are you all right? I thought I heard you throw up."
"Oh that," Ariel said nonchalantly. "I guess I just had something that didn't agree with me. I'm all right."
"Are you sure," Moonbeam asked. He jumped up on Ariel's shoulder. "You know you can always talk to me Ariel. I've been here for you the last seven years. I'd like to think that you could tell me anything."
"I can," Ariel replied. "I'm fine."
"Very well," Moonbeam sighed unconvinced. He hopped down off of Ariel's shoulder. "I'll be back in a few minutes. I need to talk to Stardust about something."
"See you," Ariel called. Once Moonbeam was gone Ariel retreated into the bathroom again. She peeled off her clothes and stood on the scale. Amy told her that she had about another year of growth left. She was about five feet tall right now, same height as Annika. Ariel stood on the scale. "Sixty-five pounds," Ariel thought. "Still need to lose more." Deciding it was time for a workout Ariel pulled on her sweats and headed down toward the palace gym. A good workout would shed some pounds.
Gloria was not surprised to see Ariel working out in the gym when she got there to practice her volleyball serves. Ariel had become a regular in the gym these last couple of months. "Aren't you hot in those sweats," Gloria asked as she walked over to the volleyball net.
"No," Ariel replied between pants.
"I think you should take a break," Gloria stated as she spiked a ball over the net. "You look like you're about to collapse."
"I'm fine," Ariel snapped angrily.
"If you say so," Gloria muttered. "What a grouch." Ariel had been so cranky lately. Being thirteen didn't affect anyone else in this way.
Ariel kept working out on the treadmill. Gloria was right. Ariel did feel like she was going to collapse but she hadn't been doing this for long enough yet. "I've got to keep going," Ariel coaxed herself. "I've got to lose some more weight." Ariel kept going faster and faster. Everything else was a blur but she didn't care. She had to lose weight. Her leg felt like jelly and her chest was hurting but that didn't stop her. All she cared about was losing weight.
Suddenly her legs gave out from under her. Ariel went down with a loud crash and flew off the treadmill. "Ariel," Gloria dashed over and helped her to her feet. "Are you all right? That was some wipeout."
"I'm okay," Ariel gasped. "I guess I overdid it."
"You are sweating buckets and shaking like a leaf," Gloria exclaimed as she helped Ariel over to the bench. She handed Ariel a towel. "Maybe I should get your mother."
"No I'm fine," Ariel told her quickly. "Mom doesn't need to know."
"Are you sure," Gloria asked in a concerned voice.
"I'm fine," Ariel assured her. "I'll just go and get some rest."
"All right," Gloria agreed reluctantly. She watched as Ariel staggered out of the gym. Then she continued to practice spiking balls. There was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that there was more to this situation then Ariel just overdoing it.
Ariel was busy studying when Amy came into her room. "Are you all right Darling," she asked in concern. "Gloria told me that you collapsed in the gym."
"Bigmouth," Ariel angrily thought. She turned to Amy. "I'm fine Mom," she stated. "I just overdid it."
"Gloria also said you were shaking like a leaf and sweating," Amy pointed out. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"I'm fine," Ariel angrily repeated. "So I had a wipeout. Why does everybody have to make such a big deal of this?"
"Because they care," Amy coolly stated. "Watch your tone with me young lady. You know I don't like be spoken to in that tone."
"Sorry Mom," Ariel muttered. "I guess I'm just tired."
"Sweetie is there something bothering you," Amy asked as she sat down on the bed. "I get this feeling that you are worrying about something."
"I'm all right," Ariel tried to keep the exasperation out of her voice.
"Well if you need to talk you know you can come to me," Amy told her. She gave Ariel a wistful look.
"Nani," Ariel asked.
"I was just thinking about the days when you were a little girl," Amy replied. "Whenever you were upset all I had to do was hold you on my lap and rock you in the rocking chair. I miss those days sometimes."
Ariel gave a weak smile. She didn't want to admit it but she also missed those days. There were times when she wanted to just curl up on her mother's lap and be rocked like she did when she was little. But she was too old for that now. The rocking chair was in the office now. It had been there since Ariel was ten.
Amy kissed her on the head. "Be ready for dinner at six," she told her. "We're eating in the palace dining room, tonight."
"Okay Mom," Ariel replied. She began to think of how she could avoid eating dinner.
Fortunately most of the conversation at dinner focused on either Daisy and her latest boyfriend or Hope's next violin recital so Ariel had no problem slipping her food into her napkin. Watching everyone carefully Ariel would make it look like she was taking a bite and then drop the food into her napkin. "I'm at getting really good at this," Ariel thought. "No one will ever find out."
"Finished Sweetie," Amy asked when she saw Ariel's empty plate. "Would you like some more?"
"No thank you Mom," Ariel replied. "I've had enough."
"I think most of us have," Raye stated.
"Shall we adjourn into the living room," Serenity asked. Everyone agreed and they left the table. Ariel fell behind. Once everyone was gone she went into the bathroom and dropped the food in the toilet. Satisfied she left the bathroom and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Gloria standing outside the door.
"I may not be as smart as you but I figured out what you've been up too," Gloria stated.
"What are you talking about," Ariel asked crossly.
"You collapsed during your workout today and you were hiding your food in your napkin," Gloria replied. "You never have lunch with us anymore which tells me that you are throwing yours away. You also disappear into the bathroom after you have eaten. I read about this in health class last year. You're either starving or making yourself throw up right? Or maybe you're doing both."
"Don't be ridiculous," Ariel said in a defensive voice. "Besides it's none of your business."
"It is so my business," Gloria pointed out. "I'm the commander of the Cosmic Senshi and I want my teammates to be healthy and strong."
"Please Gloria," Ariel pleaded. "Don't tell anyone."
Gloria narrowed her eyes. "I'll keep my mouth shut on one condition," she said. "That you stop doing what you're doing. You do that and I won't utter a word."
Ariel glared at Gloria. "I can lie," she thought. "All right," she agreed. "I'll stop."
"Promise," Gloria asked.
"Promise," Ariel replied crossing her fingers behind her back. Satisfied Gloria walked away. "I'll have to be more careful with her around."
Over the next several weeks Ariel was careful when she was around Gloria. With her high IQ she was able to pull the wool over Gloria's eyes. Ariel continued to weigh herself everyday and was satisfied that she had lost another ten pounds. "I've got to keep going," she thought as she stood in the mirror wearing only her bra and underwear.
A knock at the door sounded and Amy came in. "Ariel," she began and then gasped when she saw her emaciated daughter. Ariel's hipbones were sticking out and her rib cage was clearly defined. Her arms and legs looked like sticks. Amy choked and covered her mouth with her hands, tears filling her eyes.
What is it Mom," asked Ariel.
"Ariel," Amy gasped. "What have you done to yourself?"
"Amy what's going on," Michiru came in. Ariel suddenly remembered that she was supposed to meet with her mentor today. Michiru's eyes swung over and she too gave a gasp when she saw Ariel. "Kami-sama," she cried out. "You are way too thin."
"What's the big deal," Ariel cried. "So I've lost weight. Can't you see how fat I am?"
"Ariel," Amy choked but then couldn't get any further. Shock and grief just overwhelmed her.
Seeing how upset Amy was Michiru took over. She walked over to Ariel and saw the scale nearby. Without a word she steered Ariel over to the scale and put her on it. She looked down and was horrified. "Fifty-five pounds," she exclaimed.
"Ariel no," Amy gasped. She heard the door to their quarters open and she ran to them. Greg had just gotten home. "Greg," cried Amy as she flung herself into his arms.
"What is it Amy," Greg asked in alarm.
"It's Ariel," Amy sobbed. "She's skin and bone. There's hardly anything left of her."
"Slow down Amy," Greg told her. "What is going on?"
"This," Michiru announced as she came into the room with Ariel. Ariel was now dressed in a dress she had worn three months ago. It had fitted her perfectly then. But now it hung on her like a tent. Greg could clearly see how much weight his daughter had lost.
"Ariel," he gasped. "Why?"
"I'm sorry Mom," Ariel choked later on. Amy was in the middle of giving her a physical. She had completely diagnosed her as anorexic and bulimic. Right now she was checking her over to make sure that everything was working normally. Hotaru was also there helping her out. "Once I got started I couldn't stop. There were times when I wanted to tell you but I couldn't."
"All those times you disappeared into the bathroom after you ate and I never caught on," Amy murmured sadly. "How could I have not noticed?"
"Mom I don't know if I can stop," Ariel admitted softly.
"You will be able too with the proper help," Amy stated.
"What kind of help," Ariel asked nervously.
"Ariel," Hotaru stepped forward seeing that Amy was overcome with emotion. "You're a very sick young lady. This could kill you. A lot of young girls have tried to beat this on their own and failed. But your mother is a doctor and you will get the help you need."
"What kind of help," Ariel asked again.
"I'm going to have to keep you here in the hospital," Amy stated.
"Nani," Ariel wailed. "Mom I don't want to stay here."
"I'm sorry Darling," Amy told her. "But you are dangerously thin. I am going to have to put you on IV's to help you gain weight. While you are here we will work on finding out what was the root of all this."
"How long will I have to stay," Ariel asked helplessly. She knew that Amy would not change her mind about keeping her here.
"Until you've gained some weight," Amy replied. She pulled her daughter into her arms. "I love you so much Darling. I won't lose you. We'll get you better. I promise."
"She's what," Madelyn shrieked in anguish. Hotaru had gathered all of the Cosmic Senshi together to tell them about Ariel.
"She's anorexic and bulimic," Hotaru replied. "She's a very sick girl right now. Amy will be keeping her in the hospital for right now to help her gain weight."
"Poor Ariel," Annika whispered softly. She knew what it was like to be kept in the hospital.
"I should have told her mother," Gloria sighed. "But Ariel promised me that she would stop what she was doing."
"One thing you will learn is that people with a disease like Ariel has will make any promise to keep people from pestering them," Hotaru told her. "Your intentions were good but they didn't work."
"Is there anything we can do," Maggie asked.
"Just be her friend," Hotaru replied. "She's going to need all of you right now to support her."
"You can count on us," Daisy promised and the others agreed.
The next several weeks were unbearable for Ariel. Amy kept her on IV's to feed her but also had her eating regular food as part of the weight gaining process. She wasn't allowed to go to the bathroom on her own for fear that she might purge. The bright spots of her day were when the other girls would come to see her. Everyday Ariel talked with Amy about what had been going on. "I'm not as pretty as Annika or Hope," Ariel told her mother one day. "The boys do not go after girls with brains. They go after girls who are pretty."
"It may seem like that to you now Darling," Amy told her. "But your father loved me for who I was and one day you will find someone who will love you for who you are."
"It's not just that," Ariel sighed. "But this entrance exam too. I know I will be on the top but do you know how many hate me because I am two years younger then them and topping them in exams?"
"I understand," Amy replied. "I may not have skipped two grades but I was hated for my brains. If it hadn't been for the queen and the rest of the Senshi I would have led a very lonely adolescence."
"I feel that way about the Cosmic Senshi," Ariel murmured. She looked at her mother, "So you do understand?"
"Of course I do," Amy assured her. She cupped Ariel's face in her hand. "You are a very pretty girl. One day you will see that. The most important thing is that you believe it."
"I'll try Mom," Ariel whispered.
"We'll work through this together Ariel," Amy told her as she hugged her daughter close. "I promise."
A couple of months later the high school entrance exams were over with. It was a beautiful spring day. Madelyn was the only one left to take the entrance exams so she was already beginning to study. "Ariel," Annika cried as she dashed over with the exam scores in her hand. "You topped number one in Japan."
"I knew she would," Hope crowed.
Ariel smiled. She was still thin but not emaciated like before. Her mother kept her on a strict food plan to get her back up to ideal weight. Ariel followed it but not without the occasional slip. Amy helped her to get in touch with her feelings whenever she did have a slip. Ariel still had a long way to go but she worked on her recovery the best she could. "Are you happy Ariel," Madelyn asked as she put an arm around her best friend.
"Yes I am," Ariel replied. "I feel better too."
"I'm just glad you are getting better," Madelyn stated. "I would have hated it if you had died."
"I'm glad I am getting better too," Ariel agreed. "Very glad."
End of part one.
I would like to thank Lady Venus for giving me this idea and I would like to thank Rebirth Saturn for giving me a title.
This part will be Ariel's part. This will take place when she is thirteen. She will be suffering from eating disorders. If you or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder seek help immediately. It's a dangerous disease. Please don't let it progress.
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.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. With the exception of Rini I own the Chibi Senshi.
Breaking Point
Part One: Ariel
Issue: Eating Disorders
By
Angel Raye
Ariel sighed as she pulled on her school uniform. She had stayed up late studying for the high school entrance exam again. While the rest of her class were fifteen or almost fifteen, Ariel had just turned thirteen two months ago. She couldn't believe she was going to be in high school in a few short months.
"Ariel breakfast is ready," Amy's voice called from the kitchen.
"Coming," Ariel called and she headed toward the kitchen. "Good morning," she greeted her parents as she entered the kitchen.
"Good morning," Amy smiled and kissed her daughter on the head.
"Another late night Princess," Greg asked.
"Yes," Ariel sighed. "Studying for those entrance exams."
"Well your mother topped Japan in the entrance exams when she took them," Greg stated.
"I know," Ariel sighed as Amy placed her breakfast in front of her.
"Greg don't pressure her," Amy told him. "After all we know our Ariel will come out on top."
"Of course she will," Greg replied with a proud smile. Ariel only gave him a weak smile in return. She knew she would come out on top. She always did. Many people told her she was a lot like her mother in many ways and Ariel was always glad to hear that. But she was always expected to be at the top. That put a lot of pressure on her. She felt she could never slack off and relax.
"Do you think I'll find a boyfriend in high school," Ariel asked.
"Nani," Greg sputtered into his coffee.
"Sweetie you're only thirteen," Amy pointed out. "You've plenty of time."
"My daughter isn't dating until she turns sixteen," Greg declared.
"Dad," Ariel moaned. "I'll be in grade twelve then." She thought for a moment. "But will any boys find me pretty enough."
"Ariel darling you are pretty," Amy assured her. "You're a very kawaii young girl."
"Kawaii," Ariel muttered. She thought about the other girls who were also taking the entrance exam. Annika was an exotic beauty while Hope was an elegant beauty. Gloria was a very striking beauty too. Faith couldn't care less how she looked but when she did take time on her appearance she was also very attractive. Lately Ariel had been very concerned about how she looked.
"Oh my look at the time," Amy gasped as she looked at her watch. "We need to get going."
"Just a quick trip to the bathroom first," Ariel said as she got up from the table. She quickly ran into the bathroom. She closed the door and then turned on the sink full blast. She didn't want her parents to hear what she was doing. She had been keeping it a secret for the last two months.
Ariel knelt down in front of the toilet. She carefully put two fingers down her throat and purged her breakfast. Once she was done she leaned up against the tub taking deep breaths. Her head felt like it was spinning. After catching her breath she stood up and went to the sink. Her eyes were watering and her face was red, the way she always looked after she purged. She rinsed out her mouth and washed her hands.
"Come on Ariel it's time to go," Amy called through the door.
"Coming Mom," Ariel replied. She quickly washed her face and then prepared to face another day.
[Flashback] Two months earlier...
Ariel was celebrating her thirteenth birthday with everyone else in the palace. As usual there was a palace party to celebrate. Everyone was making a big deal of this since she was the last of the children to turn thirteen. She still had another year to go before she would be upgraded to Cosmic Senshi but that didn't bother her. What bothered her was that everyone still saw her as a baby.
"Who can believe that kawaii little Ariel is now a teenager," Michiru cooed brushing her fingers through Ariel's short blue locks.
"Seems like only yesterday when she would be snuggled into Amy's lap and charming us all with her babyish behaviors," Lita added.
"I'm not a baby anymore," Ariel pointed out in annoyed voice. She had stopped her babyish behaviors by the time she was eight but the label stuck. She was still the baby.
"Everyone knows that Darling," Amy assured her as she slipped an arm around Ariel's thin shoulders. "It's just that you're the youngest and no one wants to see you grow up."
"I know," Ariel sighed. She looked over and saw her friends over by the dessert table. "I am going to join the others."
"Have fun," Amy stated as she kissed Ariel on the cheek. Ariel dashed over to her friends.
"Everyone cooing over you," Maggie asked as she handed Ariel some punch.
"Yes," Ariel replied. "Did everyone make such a big deal when all of you became teenagers?"
"Please," Annika rolled her eyes. "I didn't think Mama would ever stop crying."
"And I got a speech on how I need to start being more feminine," Faith added.
"And then there's the growth spurt," Madelyn sighed. She was fourteen now and had sprouted up this last year. But she was still very small and petite like Hotaru.
"Growth spurt," Ariel exclaimed. "Mom told me I had already hit mine."
"But not completely," Gloria laughed. "Now you will grow out."
"Out," Ariel's eyes widened.
"Of course," Gloria replied with a wicked gleam in her eyes. "Once you have reached your full height then you have to be careful about what you eat. If you eat too much you'll get fat."
"Fat," Ariel exclaimed.
"Oh don't listen to her Ariel," Daisy told her. "You're nothing but skin and bones so you have nothing to worry about."
"Right," Ariel murmured not convinced.
"Now let's have some cake," Hope declared.
"Right," everyone agreed and they went to get some cake. Ariel took a good-sized piece but Gloria's words rang in her head. She didn't want to get fat. As Ariel ate her cake an idea formed in her head. She had read it about it in a doctor's book of psychological disorders. Once she finished she went into the bathroom and stuck her fingers down her throat. Immediately the cake came back up. Satisfied Ariel saw that what she had read worked. She could stay thin and enjoy her favorite foods from time to time. Ariel went back to the party satisfied with her plan.
[End Flashback]
That was two months ago. Since then Ariel had either been skipping meals or forcing herself to throw up after she ate. Now that she had started Ariel couldn't stop. Always having a high metabolism her weight dropped at a fast pace. Due to the fact that it was winter Ariel was able to hide under baggy clothes. There were times when she wanted to tell Amy but she couldn't.
"I wonder what Mama made me for lunch today," Madelyn inquired as she peeked in her lunch bag on the way to school. "Oh good. Meat buns. I love those."
"Mom probably packed me sandwiches again," Ariel murmured as she peeked in her own bag. She was right. Amy had packed sandwiches for her. Ariel really didn't care what Amy packed her for lunch. Her lunch always went to the same place.
"Hey Ariel do you think our practice tests results will be posted today," Annika asked as she came up next to them. Ariel looked enviously at her. Annika, like her mother, was an exotic beauty. Her large violet eyes could melt anyone's heart and she was so petite in both height and weight. Delicate was the word to describe her.
"Maybe," Ariel replied.
"Oh you'll come out on top Ariel," Hope added. Ariel now gazed enviously at her. Hope was very elegant and graceful. She was tall and slim and had the perfect figure. "She's not short and dumpy like I am," Ariel thought bitterly.
"Well I'll be near the bottom," Gloria joked. "But then Mom didn't like studying and she passed her high school entrance exams too." Ariel now gazed at Gloria. Even though she was a Cosmic Senshi and studying for the high school entrance exams, Gloria still found time to be on the volleyball team. Her figure was so shapely. How Ariel would kill to have her figure.
"Ariel are you all right," Faith asked. "You look like you're not getting any sleep."
Ariel looked at Faith next. The most athletic one of the group, her figure was perfect. "I'm fine," Ariel replied. "I guess I am just studying too hard."
"We all are," Annika sighed. "Come on. We're going to be late." Everyone nodded in agreement and headed toward school. Once they got there everyone headed to their classes. Ariel stopped at the trashcan and threw her lunch away. She did that everyday and then went to the library for lunch. Everyone believed that she ate while she was studying. They didn't need to know. Ariel was determined that she wasn't going to be found out.
Once they returned to the palace that afternoon Ariel and Madelyn headed up to the doctor's wing to see their mothers. Amy was in her office going over some paperwork. "Hi Mom," Ariel greeted her.
"Hi Darling," Amy smiled at her daughter and held out her arms. Ariel went into them. Amy frowned as she felt her daughter's bones. Was she losing weight? "How was school today?"
"It was okay," Ariel replied. "I came out top in the last practice exam."
"Good for you," Amy cried ecstatically as she hugged her daughter again. "We'll celebrate with your father tonight. Won't that be fun?"
"I would like that," Ariel stated with false enthusiasm. Celebrations usually meant food. "We don't have a study session today right?"
"Right Darling," Amy replied. "I have appointments all afternoon today so you girls are free to study on your own. Why don't you go back to our quarters and have a snack? I'll be there in a couple of hours."
"All right Mom," Ariel stated as she picked her book bag up. "I guess I am kind of hungry."
"I'll see you in a while," Amy called as Ariel left. Frowning Amy pulled out her daughter's file and checked the weight from her last physical. She had always been underweight but her last physical showed that it wasn't a problem. "Maybe I'm just being overly concerned," Amy thought as she put the file away. She got back to work but the nagging feeling in the back of her head stayed.
Moonbeam was out so Ariel had the quarters to herself. She was glad. She couldn't do what she wanted when there were others around. Ariel went into the kitchen. There was ice cream in the freezer, cake in the refrigerator and cookies in the cabinet. Ariel helped herself to a huge piece of cake, several large scoops of ice cream and about a dozen cookies. She ate it quickly, shoving all of it into her mouth at a rapid pace. Once done Ariel, clutching her stomach went to the bathroom. She shoved her fingers down her throat and the food came back up. Feeling dizzy Ariel propped herself against the wall to recover from the purge. The room was spinning. "It will pass in a moment," Ariel thought. "It always does."
"Ariel," Moonbeam's voice came from the other side of the door. "Are you all right in there?"
"I'm fine," Ariel hastily replied as she stood up. She quickly rinsed out her mouth. Then putting on a false smile she opened the door. "When did you get home?"
"A few minutes ago," Moonbeam told her. "Are you all right? I thought I heard you throw up."
"Oh that," Ariel said nonchalantly. "I guess I just had something that didn't agree with me. I'm all right."
"Are you sure," Moonbeam asked. He jumped up on Ariel's shoulder. "You know you can always talk to me Ariel. I've been here for you the last seven years. I'd like to think that you could tell me anything."
"I can," Ariel replied. "I'm fine."
"Very well," Moonbeam sighed unconvinced. He hopped down off of Ariel's shoulder. "I'll be back in a few minutes. I need to talk to Stardust about something."
"See you," Ariel called. Once Moonbeam was gone Ariel retreated into the bathroom again. She peeled off her clothes and stood on the scale. Amy told her that she had about another year of growth left. She was about five feet tall right now, same height as Annika. Ariel stood on the scale. "Sixty-five pounds," Ariel thought. "Still need to lose more." Deciding it was time for a workout Ariel pulled on her sweats and headed down toward the palace gym. A good workout would shed some pounds.
Gloria was not surprised to see Ariel working out in the gym when she got there to practice her volleyball serves. Ariel had become a regular in the gym these last couple of months. "Aren't you hot in those sweats," Gloria asked as she walked over to the volleyball net.
"No," Ariel replied between pants.
"I think you should take a break," Gloria stated as she spiked a ball over the net. "You look like you're about to collapse."
"I'm fine," Ariel snapped angrily.
"If you say so," Gloria muttered. "What a grouch." Ariel had been so cranky lately. Being thirteen didn't affect anyone else in this way.
Ariel kept working out on the treadmill. Gloria was right. Ariel did feel like she was going to collapse but she hadn't been doing this for long enough yet. "I've got to keep going," Ariel coaxed herself. "I've got to lose some more weight." Ariel kept going faster and faster. Everything else was a blur but she didn't care. She had to lose weight. Her leg felt like jelly and her chest was hurting but that didn't stop her. All she cared about was losing weight.
Suddenly her legs gave out from under her. Ariel went down with a loud crash and flew off the treadmill. "Ariel," Gloria dashed over and helped her to her feet. "Are you all right? That was some wipeout."
"I'm okay," Ariel gasped. "I guess I overdid it."
"You are sweating buckets and shaking like a leaf," Gloria exclaimed as she helped Ariel over to the bench. She handed Ariel a towel. "Maybe I should get your mother."
"No I'm fine," Ariel told her quickly. "Mom doesn't need to know."
"Are you sure," Gloria asked in a concerned voice.
"I'm fine," Ariel assured her. "I'll just go and get some rest."
"All right," Gloria agreed reluctantly. She watched as Ariel staggered out of the gym. Then she continued to practice spiking balls. There was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that there was more to this situation then Ariel just overdoing it.
Ariel was busy studying when Amy came into her room. "Are you all right Darling," she asked in concern. "Gloria told me that you collapsed in the gym."
"Bigmouth," Ariel angrily thought. She turned to Amy. "I'm fine Mom," she stated. "I just overdid it."
"Gloria also said you were shaking like a leaf and sweating," Amy pointed out. "Are you sure you're all right?"
"I'm fine," Ariel angrily repeated. "So I had a wipeout. Why does everybody have to make such a big deal of this?"
"Because they care," Amy coolly stated. "Watch your tone with me young lady. You know I don't like be spoken to in that tone."
"Sorry Mom," Ariel muttered. "I guess I'm just tired."
"Sweetie is there something bothering you," Amy asked as she sat down on the bed. "I get this feeling that you are worrying about something."
"I'm all right," Ariel tried to keep the exasperation out of her voice.
"Well if you need to talk you know you can come to me," Amy told her. She gave Ariel a wistful look.
"Nani," Ariel asked.
"I was just thinking about the days when you were a little girl," Amy replied. "Whenever you were upset all I had to do was hold you on my lap and rock you in the rocking chair. I miss those days sometimes."
Ariel gave a weak smile. She didn't want to admit it but she also missed those days. There were times when she wanted to just curl up on her mother's lap and be rocked like she did when she was little. But she was too old for that now. The rocking chair was in the office now. It had been there since Ariel was ten.
Amy kissed her on the head. "Be ready for dinner at six," she told her. "We're eating in the palace dining room, tonight."
"Okay Mom," Ariel replied. She began to think of how she could avoid eating dinner.
Fortunately most of the conversation at dinner focused on either Daisy and her latest boyfriend or Hope's next violin recital so Ariel had no problem slipping her food into her napkin. Watching everyone carefully Ariel would make it look like she was taking a bite and then drop the food into her napkin. "I'm at getting really good at this," Ariel thought. "No one will ever find out."
"Finished Sweetie," Amy asked when she saw Ariel's empty plate. "Would you like some more?"
"No thank you Mom," Ariel replied. "I've had enough."
"I think most of us have," Raye stated.
"Shall we adjourn into the living room," Serenity asked. Everyone agreed and they left the table. Ariel fell behind. Once everyone was gone she went into the bathroom and dropped the food in the toilet. Satisfied she left the bathroom and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Gloria standing outside the door.
"I may not be as smart as you but I figured out what you've been up too," Gloria stated.
"What are you talking about," Ariel asked crossly.
"You collapsed during your workout today and you were hiding your food in your napkin," Gloria replied. "You never have lunch with us anymore which tells me that you are throwing yours away. You also disappear into the bathroom after you have eaten. I read about this in health class last year. You're either starving or making yourself throw up right? Or maybe you're doing both."
"Don't be ridiculous," Ariel said in a defensive voice. "Besides it's none of your business."
"It is so my business," Gloria pointed out. "I'm the commander of the Cosmic Senshi and I want my teammates to be healthy and strong."
"Please Gloria," Ariel pleaded. "Don't tell anyone."
Gloria narrowed her eyes. "I'll keep my mouth shut on one condition," she said. "That you stop doing what you're doing. You do that and I won't utter a word."
Ariel glared at Gloria. "I can lie," she thought. "All right," she agreed. "I'll stop."
"Promise," Gloria asked.
"Promise," Ariel replied crossing her fingers behind her back. Satisfied Gloria walked away. "I'll have to be more careful with her around."
Over the next several weeks Ariel was careful when she was around Gloria. With her high IQ she was able to pull the wool over Gloria's eyes. Ariel continued to weigh herself everyday and was satisfied that she had lost another ten pounds. "I've got to keep going," she thought as she stood in the mirror wearing only her bra and underwear.
A knock at the door sounded and Amy came in. "Ariel," she began and then gasped when she saw her emaciated daughter. Ariel's hipbones were sticking out and her rib cage was clearly defined. Her arms and legs looked like sticks. Amy choked and covered her mouth with her hands, tears filling her eyes.
What is it Mom," asked Ariel.
"Ariel," Amy gasped. "What have you done to yourself?"
"Amy what's going on," Michiru came in. Ariel suddenly remembered that she was supposed to meet with her mentor today. Michiru's eyes swung over and she too gave a gasp when she saw Ariel. "Kami-sama," she cried out. "You are way too thin."
"What's the big deal," Ariel cried. "So I've lost weight. Can't you see how fat I am?"
"Ariel," Amy choked but then couldn't get any further. Shock and grief just overwhelmed her.
Seeing how upset Amy was Michiru took over. She walked over to Ariel and saw the scale nearby. Without a word she steered Ariel over to the scale and put her on it. She looked down and was horrified. "Fifty-five pounds," she exclaimed.
"Ariel no," Amy gasped. She heard the door to their quarters open and she ran to them. Greg had just gotten home. "Greg," cried Amy as she flung herself into his arms.
"What is it Amy," Greg asked in alarm.
"It's Ariel," Amy sobbed. "She's skin and bone. There's hardly anything left of her."
"Slow down Amy," Greg told her. "What is going on?"
"This," Michiru announced as she came into the room with Ariel. Ariel was now dressed in a dress she had worn three months ago. It had fitted her perfectly then. But now it hung on her like a tent. Greg could clearly see how much weight his daughter had lost.
"Ariel," he gasped. "Why?"
"I'm sorry Mom," Ariel choked later on. Amy was in the middle of giving her a physical. She had completely diagnosed her as anorexic and bulimic. Right now she was checking her over to make sure that everything was working normally. Hotaru was also there helping her out. "Once I got started I couldn't stop. There were times when I wanted to tell you but I couldn't."
"All those times you disappeared into the bathroom after you ate and I never caught on," Amy murmured sadly. "How could I have not noticed?"
"Mom I don't know if I can stop," Ariel admitted softly.
"You will be able too with the proper help," Amy stated.
"What kind of help," Ariel asked nervously.
"Ariel," Hotaru stepped forward seeing that Amy was overcome with emotion. "You're a very sick young lady. This could kill you. A lot of young girls have tried to beat this on their own and failed. But your mother is a doctor and you will get the help you need."
"What kind of help," Ariel asked again.
"I'm going to have to keep you here in the hospital," Amy stated.
"Nani," Ariel wailed. "Mom I don't want to stay here."
"I'm sorry Darling," Amy told her. "But you are dangerously thin. I am going to have to put you on IV's to help you gain weight. While you are here we will work on finding out what was the root of all this."
"How long will I have to stay," Ariel asked helplessly. She knew that Amy would not change her mind about keeping her here.
"Until you've gained some weight," Amy replied. She pulled her daughter into her arms. "I love you so much Darling. I won't lose you. We'll get you better. I promise."
"She's what," Madelyn shrieked in anguish. Hotaru had gathered all of the Cosmic Senshi together to tell them about Ariel.
"She's anorexic and bulimic," Hotaru replied. "She's a very sick girl right now. Amy will be keeping her in the hospital for right now to help her gain weight."
"Poor Ariel," Annika whispered softly. She knew what it was like to be kept in the hospital.
"I should have told her mother," Gloria sighed. "But Ariel promised me that she would stop what she was doing."
"One thing you will learn is that people with a disease like Ariel has will make any promise to keep people from pestering them," Hotaru told her. "Your intentions were good but they didn't work."
"Is there anything we can do," Maggie asked.
"Just be her friend," Hotaru replied. "She's going to need all of you right now to support her."
"You can count on us," Daisy promised and the others agreed.
The next several weeks were unbearable for Ariel. Amy kept her on IV's to feed her but also had her eating regular food as part of the weight gaining process. She wasn't allowed to go to the bathroom on her own for fear that she might purge. The bright spots of her day were when the other girls would come to see her. Everyday Ariel talked with Amy about what had been going on. "I'm not as pretty as Annika or Hope," Ariel told her mother one day. "The boys do not go after girls with brains. They go after girls who are pretty."
"It may seem like that to you now Darling," Amy told her. "But your father loved me for who I was and one day you will find someone who will love you for who you are."
"It's not just that," Ariel sighed. "But this entrance exam too. I know I will be on the top but do you know how many hate me because I am two years younger then them and topping them in exams?"
"I understand," Amy replied. "I may not have skipped two grades but I was hated for my brains. If it hadn't been for the queen and the rest of the Senshi I would have led a very lonely adolescence."
"I feel that way about the Cosmic Senshi," Ariel murmured. She looked at her mother, "So you do understand?"
"Of course I do," Amy assured her. She cupped Ariel's face in her hand. "You are a very pretty girl. One day you will see that. The most important thing is that you believe it."
"I'll try Mom," Ariel whispered.
"We'll work through this together Ariel," Amy told her as she hugged her daughter close. "I promise."
A couple of months later the high school entrance exams were over with. It was a beautiful spring day. Madelyn was the only one left to take the entrance exams so she was already beginning to study. "Ariel," Annika cried as she dashed over with the exam scores in her hand. "You topped number one in Japan."
"I knew she would," Hope crowed.
Ariel smiled. She was still thin but not emaciated like before. Her mother kept her on a strict food plan to get her back up to ideal weight. Ariel followed it but not without the occasional slip. Amy helped her to get in touch with her feelings whenever she did have a slip. Ariel still had a long way to go but she worked on her recovery the best she could. "Are you happy Ariel," Madelyn asked as she put an arm around her best friend.
"Yes I am," Ariel replied. "I feel better too."
"I'm just glad you are getting better," Madelyn stated. "I would have hated it if you had died."
"I'm glad I am getting better too," Ariel agreed. "Very glad."
End of part one.