Chibimamoru: Small Lady's Otooto-chan (Revised)
Chapter 1 - Nephrite Hills
Author's Notes: I hope I get some good reviews for the prologue I wrote. I am excited about this story and I am ahead on Mamoru's Journey. I will finish Chapter 14 sometime this week I hope. I really don't have very much left in it – just two more important scenes to map out.
Anyways, my original work did not fit my intensions for this story. Honestly – I wasn't quite ready to write it. I think I have it right this time. Tell me what you think. K? Don't forget to REVIEW!!!
Arianna Sunrise – Yes. I thought this sounded better. Glad you agree with me. Yes, I am going to try and stick with the plot I told you. I tried to "keep up with the detail" on Chapter 1. How did I do?
Sailorserenity2 – Thanks a bunch!! Here's the update!!
Galactic Crystal – "More?" Yep. Here it is!! Thanks for the complement!!
Sailor_Earth13 – *grins* That is the question, isn't it? You'll just have to keep reading – BAWAHAHA!!!!! Thanks for reviewing!!
**********
"Hum." General Nicholas, husband of Guardian Venus sighed heavily leaning back in the desk chair staring out the third floor window of his private study. That last boy had sounded so promising. He felt bad now for having gotten their hopes up. He hated seeing the dejected look that crossed the two parents' faces when he was forced to tell them it had been the wrong child after all.
Looking back over the somewhat cluttered desk in front of him, Nicholas shuffled through the papers stacked on the left side of the desk. He found several legal documents; a treaty he was supposed to have read over yesterday, two drawings his four-year-old son had drawn for him, and various other nonsensical stuff.
Nicholas frowned. Where was it? He filed the legal documents in a door, set the treaty on the right side of the desk to deal with later, and taped his son's pictures up on the wall above the desk. That done, he fingered through the remaining papers until he found the one he was looking for.
It was a simple sheet of computer paper with a couple of notes on it. 'Nephrite Hills Orphanage; privately-owned; located off of a dirt road; about half an hour from the capital city – Crystal Tokyo; a 45 minute drive from the castle itself; extremely poor conditions'
This one too sounded promising. If it were privately owned, the children wouldn't be listed in the governmental records and it was close to Tokyo making it easier for a child of three to find. Nicholas sighed again. "Maybe I should just forget about it. I would hate to disappoint them again. Or maybe – " Nicholas had an idea. "Maybe I just won't tell them about it."
Nicholas pressed a small button on his intercom/communicator. "Call the guards, Jason and Justin, to my study. I wish to speak with them – privately."
"Of course, General." A deep voice responded through his communicator. "Jason, Justin. Get over here!!" Nicholas cut the communication leaning back in his chair again.
**********
Shortly five minutes later, there was loud knock on the door. "Come in." Nicholas commanded sitting up straighter in his seat. Two men came in bowing before one of the planets four head generals. The first was a tall brown-haired 32-year-old man with serious eyes that held no humor in them whatsoever. The second was shorter by a couple of inches a younger by about five years. He had blonde hair, green eyes, and definitely the less intimidating of the two. Both men sported the crest of Venus on the yellow and gold colored armor.
"You called, General?" Jason, the elder of the two, questioned.
Nicholas stood up carrying the sheet of paper with him. "Yes, I did. I need for you to complete a mission for me."
"Mission, sir?" Justin, the younger one, queried curiously.
"Hai." Nicholas handed the sheet of paper to Jason. While Justin read over the older guards shoulder, Nicholas continued. "I need you to search Nephrite Hills. Not only is it below government standards for orphanage upkeep, it is possible the missing prince might have been picked up there. I want you to look into it. There are directions on the back explaining how to find the place.
"Hmm." Jason studied the paper. "When would you have us leave, sir?"
"Immediately." Nicholas told them firmly. "If you DO find a child resembling the prince, bring him directly to me. Otherwise, just bring the information concerning the place's upkeep. Do you both understand?"
"Of course, General." Jason replied immediately.
Justin hesitated. "How will we know the prince if we find him, General?"
Nicholas nodded. "A keen observation." Jason gritted his teeth wondering why he hadn't thought of that. Grabbing a paper out of his desk, Nicholas handed it to Jason. "That should tell you all you need to know. Please leave immediately."
"HAI." The two men left the room shutting the door behind them.
Nicholas sat back in his chair once more. "Please, let this be it." He prayed. "By Selene, let this be it."
**********
Back at Nephrite Hills, the 3 – 8 year old orphan boys and girls have just finished lunch. On the menu for today was vegetable soup – something the sad little boy loathed – crackers, and grape juice. Now, it was playtime. The younger children ran wild while the 9 – 16 years old ate what they hadn't already devoured – that is MOST of the children were running wild.
A dark-haired boy with sad midnight-blue eyes was in no mood to play. He sat in the hallway at the bottom of a creaky old stairwell that lead up to the orphan's bedrooms. Clutching A.B. tightly in his little arms, the little boy stared into the toys lifeless mechanical eyes. "What do you want to do, A.B.?" He questioned his closest friend.
"He doesn't want to do anything, Mamo-baka. It's a broken piece of shit, just like you." Startled, the little boy looked up to see which one of the bullies it was that had spoken to him. It was Thomas Jamison – called T.J. by all those who valued their lives. T.J. was a tall 12-year-old with unruly red hair and glaring red eyes.
"Leave me alone." Mamo muttered clutching his toy/friend tighter.
"Leave me alone." T.J. mocked. "Is that any way to speak to your superior?"
"Superior to a cootie." Mamo shot back. "Leave me alone, T.J."
Feminine giggling made T.J. turn around. Rena and Terna, two of the 12- year-old girls giggled at the comment and continued on their way to lunch. T.J. blushed red, which only made the girls giggle harder. As they left the room, T.J. turned a devilish glare on Mamo. "You're gonna pay for that, half-pint." T.J. threatened grabbing the back of Mamo's shirt hoisting him up into the air causing him to drop A.B. onto the floor.
"WAAAH!! A.B. DO SOMETHING!!!" Mamo cried out.
"You think that piece of junk is going to protect you?" T.J. laughed. Looking down at the broken toy, he kicked it up against the wall. A satisfying crackling noise escaped from the speaker as the impact of the blow pressed the button that was A.B.'s nose.
"NO. A.B.!!" Mamo cried out. T.J. grinned continuing to hold the boy up in the air. Mamo shut his eyes as a furious energy began to build up inside him.
"WHAT IS GOING ON IN HERE!?!" An older voice screamed. T.J. turned suddenly at the sound. Opening his eyes, Mamo recognized Miss. Carol, his favorite teacher. The energy inside Mamo slowly died down – all but forgotten. "PUT HIM DOWN, T.J.!!"
T.J. grunted. Glaring at her, he released his hand causing the small boy to come crashing to the floor. Mamo cried out as he landed unceremoniously on the hard wooden floor. Satisfied with his handy-work, T.J. brushed his way past the teacher and continued his way to lunch.
"Oh." Miss. Carol sighed in frustration. She would have to speak with her father about that child when he got back from his vacation. That decided, Miss. Carol knelt down next to the boy. "Mamo-chan, are you alright?" She questioned rubbing his back soothingly.
"DING DONG!!"
"Now, whoever could that be?" Carol wondered. Mr. Caraway wasn't due back for another couple of hours. Oh, well. Perhaps, something had come up. "Come on in. It's unlocked!!" She called loudly into the other room before turning her attention back to the whimpering child on the floor before her. "You're ok, Mamo-chan."
Still sobbing, Mamo pushed himself up onto his knee. "T. – T.J. hur - hurt A.B." He choked out. "He hurt my friend."
Standing up, Carol picked up the broken toy from where it lay. "Hmm. It doesn't look any worse than it did before." She thought. Smiling, she showed A.B. to his distraught owner. "Look Mamo-chan. Your little toy is just fine."
"He's not a toy!! He's my friend!!! T.J. hurt him!!!!" Mamo sobbed.
Carol sighed. The things you had to do to keep these kids from going hysterical. "A.B., are you alright?" She asked looking into the "eyes" of the toy. Carol paused for a moment pretending to wait for an answer. "Well, of course I know you are stronger than T.J. but Mamo doesn't believe me." Sniffling, Mamo looked up at Miss. Carol with his sad blue eyes. Rubbing his tear-stained face on his shirt, he held his hands up reaching for his toy/friend.
Smiling at her own cleverness, Miss. Carol delivered A.B. back into the hands of his owner. "Are you sure you're ok, A.B.?" Mamo questioned his friend. A.B. didn't answer. Shutting his eyes, Mamo hugged the toy with all his might. Sighing with relief, Carol brushed her hair back out of her face. Well, that was one crisis solved.
"Hmm. Smart thinking." A deep voice commented from the doorway to the front room – also known as the reading room. Carol jumped. Looking up, she found herself face to face with two of Crystal Tokyo's Royal Guards.
Jason frowned. "It is about time to decided to take note of us."
"Who? What? Wh – what are you? How did you?" Carol stammered fearfully.
"We are here by orders of General Nicholas, top general under King Endymion of Earth. Justin replied smiling. "Gomen. We did not mean to startle you, but you told us come on in."
"Oh, that's right. Gomen nasi. I was working with one of the orphans." Carol replied finally deciding it was safe to breath again. "Gomen nasi. Is there something I can do for you gentlemen?"
"Hai." Jason replied, all business. "We have reason to believe the missing prince of Earth may have found his way into one of the local orphanages."
Carol gasped. "You think the prince may be at Nephrite Hills?"
"Yes." Jason snapped impatiently, annoyed at the interruption. "We have received strict orders to search the premises. Therefore, your full cooperation would be highly advised."
Justin rolled his eyes. Jason could be such an ass sometimes. "If you do not mind Miss., the search will not take very long. Perhaps, you would be willing to show us all of your five to seven-year-olds?"
"Ye – yes. Of course." Carol stammered. "Right this way." Turning around, she noticed that Mamo had left the room. There was no telling where that child had run off to.
**********
Meanwhile, Mamo had made his way out into orphanage's deserted back yard. In the afternoon, the yard would be full of little children his age. They weren't allowed out, however, until after naptime when it would have cooled off his age.
Setting A.B. on the ground behind him, Mamo climbed to the very top of the oval-shaped jungle gym in the center of the yard. Without a second thought, Mamo eased himself down through bars. He made sure to stabilize himself before carelessly releasing his hands. His feet locked underneath a second bar as he hung upside-down in the center of the jungle gym.
This accomplished, he thought back to the two strange men who had come to speak with Miss. Carol. The men both wore yellow and gold armor – yellow and gold armor with a Venusian crest carved into it. He couldn't be completely sure, but that crest sure seemed uncanningly familiar.
**********
In the Throne Room in the Royal Castle in the center of Crystal Tokyo, King Endymion stood with his 3-year-old son, Chibimamoru Endymion. At the back of the room, General Nicholas stood fully armored with his sword at his side. "Come forth, traitor!!" Endymion called. "Show yourself, you yellow-livered villain."
Grinning, the traitorous General Nicholas approached his 'enemy' glaring dangerously. "If I am a villain, you are but a fool for you have no mean of stopping me."
"You will be hanged in the gallows at sundown!"
"You would not dare, thou foolish king, for I have something you want."
"Oh? And what would that be?" Standing next to his father, Mamo grinned. It was fun to watch Daddy and General Nicky-san make fools of themselves. He laughed when General Nicholas snatched him up swinging him through the air up into his arms.
"Unhand him villain!"
"Never! You give me what I want or your precious son is history." Nicholas grinned darkly at Mamo. Mamo blinked innocently. Supporting the little prince with one arm, Nicholas began to tickle him mercilessly.
"No! No! No!" Mamo choked out through hysterical laughter. "Daddy, save me!!"
Trying to hide a smile, Endymion came at the traitorous general beginning to draw an imaginary sword. Nicholas looked up at him. "Back!" He yelled. Drawing an ink pen out of his pocket, he pointed it at \Mamo's stomach. "Back, or the hyena gets it!!"
"You wouldn't dare."
"Oh, wouldn't I?" Using the capped end of the pen, Nicholas poked Mamo in his bellybutton. Mamo grinned placing his hands over his stomach.
"Daddy, he got me!"
"You are to late!!" Nicholas crowed. "The little hyena has passed on. Endymion glowered in mock anger. "Take your son, fool!!" Mamo giggled as Nicholas tossed him through the air to his father.
"Hey. Dead people do not laugh." Nicholas told Mamo making him laugh even harder. Swinging him through the air, Endymion set his son down on the larger of the two throne chairs.
He grinned winking at his son before turning back to Nicholas. "You dare come near my son?" Endymion glared at him. "DIE VILLIAN!!" Pushing the imaginary sword into Nicholas' heart, Endymion finished off the match.
"I am slain!!" Nicholas cried out stumbling around. Rolling his eyes, Endymion tripped Nicholas feet out from underneath him. Hitting the floor, Nicholas began to make gagging noise. (Is he the perfect match for Minako or what?)
Endymion glared at him. "Would you die already?"
Nicholas grinned stopping his dramatics to stare up at his friend. "Some merciless king, you are."
"We do not tolerate traitors here." Endymion smirked while offering Nicholas a hand up.
"YAAA!!!" Mamo cried jumping down from the high throne chair. "Daddy won! Daddy won!!"
"Daddy always wins." Endymion replied picking his son up in his arms.
"Yes." Nicholas replied with sarcasm. "You live a charmed life."
Watching General Nicholas from his convenient spot in front of his father, Mamo's eyes traveled down resting on the strange marking on the man's armor. "Uncle Nicky-san?" Mamo questioned.
"Hmm?"
"What is that sign for?"
Nicholas looked down to see what Mamo was pointing at. "Ah, you mean my crest?" He questioned. Mamo nodded. "It is sign of my planet."
"Venus?"
"Hai."
"And the Moon?" Nicholas looked to Endymion for helped.
"Uncle Nicholas is half-Venusian and half-Lunarian." Endymion explained. "So, he where's a double crest."
"Oh." Mamo blinked confused. Looking up at his Daddy, he smiled. "I love you, Daddy."
"I love you to, Imouto – more than anything else in the world." Mamo grinned hugging his father's neck tightly.
**********
Pulling himself back up through the bars, Mamo sniffled. "I thought you loved me, Daddy. Why won't you come and save me? You always saved me before."
"And who is this?" Mamo looked up. Coming out through the back door was Mrs. Carol followed by the two guards. Jumping down from the top of the gym, Mamo scooped A.B. up into his arms.
"Oh. That is Mamo-chan. He is not supposed to be out here. Mamo, come on inside now. You know better than to be out here all by yourself."
Mamo looked up at the two guards. The two guards exchanged looks. Justin showed Jason the sheet of paper General Nicholas had given him. The two men looked over the paper, back to Mamo, and back to the paper. Justin gave Jason a questioning look. Jason nodded.
Looking Miss. Carol in the eyes, Justin took in a deep breath. "Miss. Carol, we are going to need to speak with Mamo-chan."
"Alone." Jason added.
Miss. Carol looked surprised. "Mamo-chan? Alone?" Justin shot her a knowing look. "Oh." She gasped. "Well, ah – alright." Turning around, reluctantly, she walked back inside.
Mamo starred at the men wide-eyed. What was wrong was Miss. Carol? Where these bad men? Why had she left him alone with them? "What should I do, A.B.?" Mamo thought nervously. "Did I do something bad?"
**********
Chapter 1 - Nephrite Hills
Author's Notes: I hope I get some good reviews for the prologue I wrote. I am excited about this story and I am ahead on Mamoru's Journey. I will finish Chapter 14 sometime this week I hope. I really don't have very much left in it – just two more important scenes to map out.
Anyways, my original work did not fit my intensions for this story. Honestly – I wasn't quite ready to write it. I think I have it right this time. Tell me what you think. K? Don't forget to REVIEW!!!
Arianna Sunrise – Yes. I thought this sounded better. Glad you agree with me. Yes, I am going to try and stick with the plot I told you. I tried to "keep up with the detail" on Chapter 1. How did I do?
Sailorserenity2 – Thanks a bunch!! Here's the update!!
Galactic Crystal – "More?" Yep. Here it is!! Thanks for the complement!!
Sailor_Earth13 – *grins* That is the question, isn't it? You'll just have to keep reading – BAWAHAHA!!!!! Thanks for reviewing!!
**********
"Hum." General Nicholas, husband of Guardian Venus sighed heavily leaning back in the desk chair staring out the third floor window of his private study. That last boy had sounded so promising. He felt bad now for having gotten their hopes up. He hated seeing the dejected look that crossed the two parents' faces when he was forced to tell them it had been the wrong child after all.
Looking back over the somewhat cluttered desk in front of him, Nicholas shuffled through the papers stacked on the left side of the desk. He found several legal documents; a treaty he was supposed to have read over yesterday, two drawings his four-year-old son had drawn for him, and various other nonsensical stuff.
Nicholas frowned. Where was it? He filed the legal documents in a door, set the treaty on the right side of the desk to deal with later, and taped his son's pictures up on the wall above the desk. That done, he fingered through the remaining papers until he found the one he was looking for.
It was a simple sheet of computer paper with a couple of notes on it. 'Nephrite Hills Orphanage; privately-owned; located off of a dirt road; about half an hour from the capital city – Crystal Tokyo; a 45 minute drive from the castle itself; extremely poor conditions'
This one too sounded promising. If it were privately owned, the children wouldn't be listed in the governmental records and it was close to Tokyo making it easier for a child of three to find. Nicholas sighed again. "Maybe I should just forget about it. I would hate to disappoint them again. Or maybe – " Nicholas had an idea. "Maybe I just won't tell them about it."
Nicholas pressed a small button on his intercom/communicator. "Call the guards, Jason and Justin, to my study. I wish to speak with them – privately."
"Of course, General." A deep voice responded through his communicator. "Jason, Justin. Get over here!!" Nicholas cut the communication leaning back in his chair again.
**********
Shortly five minutes later, there was loud knock on the door. "Come in." Nicholas commanded sitting up straighter in his seat. Two men came in bowing before one of the planets four head generals. The first was a tall brown-haired 32-year-old man with serious eyes that held no humor in them whatsoever. The second was shorter by a couple of inches a younger by about five years. He had blonde hair, green eyes, and definitely the less intimidating of the two. Both men sported the crest of Venus on the yellow and gold colored armor.
"You called, General?" Jason, the elder of the two, questioned.
Nicholas stood up carrying the sheet of paper with him. "Yes, I did. I need for you to complete a mission for me."
"Mission, sir?" Justin, the younger one, queried curiously.
"Hai." Nicholas handed the sheet of paper to Jason. While Justin read over the older guards shoulder, Nicholas continued. "I need you to search Nephrite Hills. Not only is it below government standards for orphanage upkeep, it is possible the missing prince might have been picked up there. I want you to look into it. There are directions on the back explaining how to find the place.
"Hmm." Jason studied the paper. "When would you have us leave, sir?"
"Immediately." Nicholas told them firmly. "If you DO find a child resembling the prince, bring him directly to me. Otherwise, just bring the information concerning the place's upkeep. Do you both understand?"
"Of course, General." Jason replied immediately.
Justin hesitated. "How will we know the prince if we find him, General?"
Nicholas nodded. "A keen observation." Jason gritted his teeth wondering why he hadn't thought of that. Grabbing a paper out of his desk, Nicholas handed it to Jason. "That should tell you all you need to know. Please leave immediately."
"HAI." The two men left the room shutting the door behind them.
Nicholas sat back in his chair once more. "Please, let this be it." He prayed. "By Selene, let this be it."
**********
Back at Nephrite Hills, the 3 – 8 year old orphan boys and girls have just finished lunch. On the menu for today was vegetable soup – something the sad little boy loathed – crackers, and grape juice. Now, it was playtime. The younger children ran wild while the 9 – 16 years old ate what they hadn't already devoured – that is MOST of the children were running wild.
A dark-haired boy with sad midnight-blue eyes was in no mood to play. He sat in the hallway at the bottom of a creaky old stairwell that lead up to the orphan's bedrooms. Clutching A.B. tightly in his little arms, the little boy stared into the toys lifeless mechanical eyes. "What do you want to do, A.B.?" He questioned his closest friend.
"He doesn't want to do anything, Mamo-baka. It's a broken piece of shit, just like you." Startled, the little boy looked up to see which one of the bullies it was that had spoken to him. It was Thomas Jamison – called T.J. by all those who valued their lives. T.J. was a tall 12-year-old with unruly red hair and glaring red eyes.
"Leave me alone." Mamo muttered clutching his toy/friend tighter.
"Leave me alone." T.J. mocked. "Is that any way to speak to your superior?"
"Superior to a cootie." Mamo shot back. "Leave me alone, T.J."
Feminine giggling made T.J. turn around. Rena and Terna, two of the 12- year-old girls giggled at the comment and continued on their way to lunch. T.J. blushed red, which only made the girls giggle harder. As they left the room, T.J. turned a devilish glare on Mamo. "You're gonna pay for that, half-pint." T.J. threatened grabbing the back of Mamo's shirt hoisting him up into the air causing him to drop A.B. onto the floor.
"WAAAH!! A.B. DO SOMETHING!!!" Mamo cried out.
"You think that piece of junk is going to protect you?" T.J. laughed. Looking down at the broken toy, he kicked it up against the wall. A satisfying crackling noise escaped from the speaker as the impact of the blow pressed the button that was A.B.'s nose.
"NO. A.B.!!" Mamo cried out. T.J. grinned continuing to hold the boy up in the air. Mamo shut his eyes as a furious energy began to build up inside him.
"WHAT IS GOING ON IN HERE!?!" An older voice screamed. T.J. turned suddenly at the sound. Opening his eyes, Mamo recognized Miss. Carol, his favorite teacher. The energy inside Mamo slowly died down – all but forgotten. "PUT HIM DOWN, T.J.!!"
T.J. grunted. Glaring at her, he released his hand causing the small boy to come crashing to the floor. Mamo cried out as he landed unceremoniously on the hard wooden floor. Satisfied with his handy-work, T.J. brushed his way past the teacher and continued his way to lunch.
"Oh." Miss. Carol sighed in frustration. She would have to speak with her father about that child when he got back from his vacation. That decided, Miss. Carol knelt down next to the boy. "Mamo-chan, are you alright?" She questioned rubbing his back soothingly.
"DING DONG!!"
"Now, whoever could that be?" Carol wondered. Mr. Caraway wasn't due back for another couple of hours. Oh, well. Perhaps, something had come up. "Come on in. It's unlocked!!" She called loudly into the other room before turning her attention back to the whimpering child on the floor before her. "You're ok, Mamo-chan."
Still sobbing, Mamo pushed himself up onto his knee. "T. – T.J. hur - hurt A.B." He choked out. "He hurt my friend."
Standing up, Carol picked up the broken toy from where it lay. "Hmm. It doesn't look any worse than it did before." She thought. Smiling, she showed A.B. to his distraught owner. "Look Mamo-chan. Your little toy is just fine."
"He's not a toy!! He's my friend!!! T.J. hurt him!!!!" Mamo sobbed.
Carol sighed. The things you had to do to keep these kids from going hysterical. "A.B., are you alright?" She asked looking into the "eyes" of the toy. Carol paused for a moment pretending to wait for an answer. "Well, of course I know you are stronger than T.J. but Mamo doesn't believe me." Sniffling, Mamo looked up at Miss. Carol with his sad blue eyes. Rubbing his tear-stained face on his shirt, he held his hands up reaching for his toy/friend.
Smiling at her own cleverness, Miss. Carol delivered A.B. back into the hands of his owner. "Are you sure you're ok, A.B.?" Mamo questioned his friend. A.B. didn't answer. Shutting his eyes, Mamo hugged the toy with all his might. Sighing with relief, Carol brushed her hair back out of her face. Well, that was one crisis solved.
"Hmm. Smart thinking." A deep voice commented from the doorway to the front room – also known as the reading room. Carol jumped. Looking up, she found herself face to face with two of Crystal Tokyo's Royal Guards.
Jason frowned. "It is about time to decided to take note of us."
"Who? What? Wh – what are you? How did you?" Carol stammered fearfully.
"We are here by orders of General Nicholas, top general under King Endymion of Earth. Justin replied smiling. "Gomen. We did not mean to startle you, but you told us come on in."
"Oh, that's right. Gomen nasi. I was working with one of the orphans." Carol replied finally deciding it was safe to breath again. "Gomen nasi. Is there something I can do for you gentlemen?"
"Hai." Jason replied, all business. "We have reason to believe the missing prince of Earth may have found his way into one of the local orphanages."
Carol gasped. "You think the prince may be at Nephrite Hills?"
"Yes." Jason snapped impatiently, annoyed at the interruption. "We have received strict orders to search the premises. Therefore, your full cooperation would be highly advised."
Justin rolled his eyes. Jason could be such an ass sometimes. "If you do not mind Miss., the search will not take very long. Perhaps, you would be willing to show us all of your five to seven-year-olds?"
"Ye – yes. Of course." Carol stammered. "Right this way." Turning around, she noticed that Mamo had left the room. There was no telling where that child had run off to.
**********
Meanwhile, Mamo had made his way out into orphanage's deserted back yard. In the afternoon, the yard would be full of little children his age. They weren't allowed out, however, until after naptime when it would have cooled off his age.
Setting A.B. on the ground behind him, Mamo climbed to the very top of the oval-shaped jungle gym in the center of the yard. Without a second thought, Mamo eased himself down through bars. He made sure to stabilize himself before carelessly releasing his hands. His feet locked underneath a second bar as he hung upside-down in the center of the jungle gym.
This accomplished, he thought back to the two strange men who had come to speak with Miss. Carol. The men both wore yellow and gold armor – yellow and gold armor with a Venusian crest carved into it. He couldn't be completely sure, but that crest sure seemed uncanningly familiar.
**********
In the Throne Room in the Royal Castle in the center of Crystal Tokyo, King Endymion stood with his 3-year-old son, Chibimamoru Endymion. At the back of the room, General Nicholas stood fully armored with his sword at his side. "Come forth, traitor!!" Endymion called. "Show yourself, you yellow-livered villain."
Grinning, the traitorous General Nicholas approached his 'enemy' glaring dangerously. "If I am a villain, you are but a fool for you have no mean of stopping me."
"You will be hanged in the gallows at sundown!"
"You would not dare, thou foolish king, for I have something you want."
"Oh? And what would that be?" Standing next to his father, Mamo grinned. It was fun to watch Daddy and General Nicky-san make fools of themselves. He laughed when General Nicholas snatched him up swinging him through the air up into his arms.
"Unhand him villain!"
"Never! You give me what I want or your precious son is history." Nicholas grinned darkly at Mamo. Mamo blinked innocently. Supporting the little prince with one arm, Nicholas began to tickle him mercilessly.
"No! No! No!" Mamo choked out through hysterical laughter. "Daddy, save me!!"
Trying to hide a smile, Endymion came at the traitorous general beginning to draw an imaginary sword. Nicholas looked up at him. "Back!" He yelled. Drawing an ink pen out of his pocket, he pointed it at \Mamo's stomach. "Back, or the hyena gets it!!"
"You wouldn't dare."
"Oh, wouldn't I?" Using the capped end of the pen, Nicholas poked Mamo in his bellybutton. Mamo grinned placing his hands over his stomach.
"Daddy, he got me!"
"You are to late!!" Nicholas crowed. "The little hyena has passed on. Endymion glowered in mock anger. "Take your son, fool!!" Mamo giggled as Nicholas tossed him through the air to his father.
"Hey. Dead people do not laugh." Nicholas told Mamo making him laugh even harder. Swinging him through the air, Endymion set his son down on the larger of the two throne chairs.
He grinned winking at his son before turning back to Nicholas. "You dare come near my son?" Endymion glared at him. "DIE VILLIAN!!" Pushing the imaginary sword into Nicholas' heart, Endymion finished off the match.
"I am slain!!" Nicholas cried out stumbling around. Rolling his eyes, Endymion tripped Nicholas feet out from underneath him. Hitting the floor, Nicholas began to make gagging noise. (Is he the perfect match for Minako or what?)
Endymion glared at him. "Would you die already?"
Nicholas grinned stopping his dramatics to stare up at his friend. "Some merciless king, you are."
"We do not tolerate traitors here." Endymion smirked while offering Nicholas a hand up.
"YAAA!!!" Mamo cried jumping down from the high throne chair. "Daddy won! Daddy won!!"
"Daddy always wins." Endymion replied picking his son up in his arms.
"Yes." Nicholas replied with sarcasm. "You live a charmed life."
Watching General Nicholas from his convenient spot in front of his father, Mamo's eyes traveled down resting on the strange marking on the man's armor. "Uncle Nicky-san?" Mamo questioned.
"Hmm?"
"What is that sign for?"
Nicholas looked down to see what Mamo was pointing at. "Ah, you mean my crest?" He questioned. Mamo nodded. "It is sign of my planet."
"Venus?"
"Hai."
"And the Moon?" Nicholas looked to Endymion for helped.
"Uncle Nicholas is half-Venusian and half-Lunarian." Endymion explained. "So, he where's a double crest."
"Oh." Mamo blinked confused. Looking up at his Daddy, he smiled. "I love you, Daddy."
"I love you to, Imouto – more than anything else in the world." Mamo grinned hugging his father's neck tightly.
**********
Pulling himself back up through the bars, Mamo sniffled. "I thought you loved me, Daddy. Why won't you come and save me? You always saved me before."
"And who is this?" Mamo looked up. Coming out through the back door was Mrs. Carol followed by the two guards. Jumping down from the top of the gym, Mamo scooped A.B. up into his arms.
"Oh. That is Mamo-chan. He is not supposed to be out here. Mamo, come on inside now. You know better than to be out here all by yourself."
Mamo looked up at the two guards. The two guards exchanged looks. Justin showed Jason the sheet of paper General Nicholas had given him. The two men looked over the paper, back to Mamo, and back to the paper. Justin gave Jason a questioning look. Jason nodded.
Looking Miss. Carol in the eyes, Justin took in a deep breath. "Miss. Carol, we are going to need to speak with Mamo-chan."
"Alone." Jason added.
Miss. Carol looked surprised. "Mamo-chan? Alone?" Justin shot her a knowing look. "Oh." She gasped. "Well, ah – alright." Turning around, reluctantly, she walked back inside.
Mamo starred at the men wide-eyed. What was wrong was Miss. Carol? Where these bad men? Why had she left him alone with them? "What should I do, A.B.?" Mamo thought nervously. "Did I do something bad?"
**********