~~*vvw*~~

Presents:

Maroko in:

FIRST SCHOOL DAY! A BROKEN HEART THAT HAS NOT HEALED!

(Sequel to 1-11!)

Maroko snored and rolled over in her bed. Tora opened one eye but closed it again and resumed sleeping. Maroko tossed and turned in her sleep. "N. no. no."

Chaos smiled at her. Maroko raced towards him but the closer she got, the farther he moved until he just disappeared. "No." Maroko tripped and fell to the ground. She began to cry. "No!" She saw Chaos's death again and again in her mind. "NNNOOOOO!" Maroko sat up in her bed, covered in cold sweat. "Maroko. Keep it down." Tora rolled over and tried to fall asleep but she couldn't. Maroko lied down and cried softly.

I've had the same nightmare for so long.

Tora crawled up next to Maroko's head and curled up next to her. Maroko felt comforted and happy. Tora slept and slowly, began to purr. Maroko smiled

But. Even Tora will comfort me. I still have all my friends.

"Maroko, it is time to get up." Maroko felt a pain in her chest and opened her eyes. Tora was sitting on her chest. "Tora. what is it?" "Maroko, remember when we first came here, I told you, you would have to attend human school to help us blend in?" "No." "I did, well, human school starts today so get up before I resort to violence!" Maroko sat up and yawned. "I don't want to go Tora." "You have to." "Not today. I'm too depressed." "I know, you woke me up with your nightmares and if I weren't so tired I'd kill you but I am so just get up." Tora lied down and fell asleep on the spot. Maroko watched her for a moment and lied back down, falling back to sleep immediately.

"MAROKO!" Tora pounced on Maroko. "Ow! What?" "You didn't wake up!" Tora hissed. "You slept threw school!" "So what? I don't have to go. I was already educated on the Moon." "You still have to go to make us look normal! There aren't any fourteens year olds with a pink cat that don't go to school, don't have a job but still 'pay' the rent! If you don't want a job-" Maroko shook her head, her eyes full of fear. "No job! Please!" "Then go you school! Tomorrow, if you aren't there, you have to get a job!" Maroko agreed.

So early the next morning, Maroko awoke and ran to school. She found her homeroom quickly and ducked in before the bell sounded. "Okay, Everyone I your seats!" Maroko sat down and looked around. "Young lady, are you in this class?" Maroko nodded. "Yes. This is class 8-4 isn't it?" The teacher, a young woman in her twenties sighed. "It is but I don't believe I've seen you before." "I was sick yesterday. My name is Helio Maroko." "Maroko?" The teacher looked on a list and nodded. "Yes, I have you down here as a student. Take a seat and class will begin."

Maroko walked away from school, exhausted. "Man, life as a human is difficult. I don't think I can do this everyday." Maroko opened the door to her apartment and collapsed on the couch. "Maroko, wake up. We have sailor business to attend to." "Tora. I just got home." "Well then I'll just tell the big ravenous monster to wait a bit while you nap. I'm sure he won't mind waiting. GET UP!" Tora pounced on her and Maroko got up.

"WE ARE" "SAILOR SCOUTS!" Maroko was almost asleep standing up. "Mystery Moon! Get up!" Little Moon yelled. "We have to fight now!" "I'm so sleepy." A large purple tentacle swatted Chibi Moon. "We're fight a monster right now! No time for sleep!" Maroko jumped up into the air. "MONSTER TAKO! SHUT UP!!!!!!! I'M TRYING TO SLEEP OVER HERE SO JUST CRAME IT! SHUT YOUR WHINEY TAKO MOUTH!" Maroko landed n her feet and sat down yawning. "Maroko scared the monster into a coma!" "Hurry Sailor Moon!"

"Tora, I can't handle this, I need some time to sleep. How can normal humans balance crime fighting and school?" "Most humans don't." "Oh." "Tell you what Maroko. You can take a few days off from school." "It. is?" "Yeah. You've had enough trauma and no sleep. when these nightmares stop, you have to go back, but for now, just rest..." Maroko hugged Tora. "Thanks Tora!" "It's okay. What's not okay is your nightmares. They have to stop or I'll have to do something!" Maroko nodded. "I'm sorry Tora."

Maroko slept peacefully, dreaming of living on Earth. Suddenly, the sky turned black and a siren wailed. Maroko screamed and cried, running randomly looking for help. "She took him away." She fell and hurt herself, trying to escape the darkness around her. "She took him away and left me to die like this." The darkness swirled in and she screamed. "Chaos. NOOOO!" Maroko woke up screaming again. Tora glared at her.

"Maroko, we're going to need to get you a psychologist if you don't cut this out!" Tora yelled. "I can't help it. I'm trying to not think about it-" "There's your problem. You need to think about it until it's all out of your system! Go down to the park. go to the bridge. and just think. When you come back, get some sleep." Tora hopped off the bed and waltzed out of the room. Maroko rose and dressed and ran for the park.

If Tora is right. I can be happy again. if I just think.

Maroko stopped at the bridge and dropped to her knees. I've tried so hard to forget. I've done everything to fill this hole in my heart. I've done all I could to forget him but I can't. Maybe. I'm not meant to forget.

Maroko sat on the bench by the bridge for hours, just thinking.

I didn't know him long. But I loved him.

Maroko paced back and forth across the bridge. Stargazer killed him because he double-crossed her and the Neo Dreamers.

She stood on the top of the bridge and stared into the water. Chaos died to save me. If I could have one wish, I would want him back.but. it couldn't have been his time. Chaos. Can I move on with my life? Can my heart heal or will I forever be caught in pain? Maroko opened her eyes and jumped off the bridge onto the grass. She ran home as fast as she could and fell down into her bed. Tora sat watching her.

"Do you have your answer? Can you live again?" Maroko nodded slowly. "I can. if I try." "Then get some sleep. You have school in the morning."

FIN!