Sailor Moon R(oses) Part 2

It's been a while. Unfortunately I lost the files for a bit, have been going through "computer hell" and other such things. But on with the story!

Chibi Usa was very pleased with herself. She was just sneaking back into the Tsukino household after ensuring that Mamoru would come to the future with her. Unfortunately it's hard to sneak into the bedroom of a person who's waiting for you to return. The young pink-haired girl was just climbing in the window she had nudged open and crawling into the dark room as silently as she could when a hand grab her by the wrist.

"Hey where did you go!" Usagi demanded with anger yet relief in her voice. "Don't sneak out on me! We were wondering when are we leaving."

Chibi Usa recovered rather quickly from being scared half to death. In a defiant voice she proudly announced, "I was convincing Mamo-chan to come along."

"WHAT!" Usagi's eyes were about the size and shape of saucers. She glared, fuming, at the pink-haired child for a couple seconds, then her expression softened to one of almost sadness. "Thank you, but Mamo-chan wants me to leave him alone, I would just end up bothering him, if he came along."

Chibi Usa was taken aback, Usagi's words had a very quiet and firm tone to them, they reminded her of her mother's. She paused for a moment wanting to run up and hug Usagi and have her turn into her mother. Right now she wasn't sure what was crueler of fate, for it to deprive her of her mother, or for it to do so but give her the young woman who was, yet was not yet her mother; to be so close yet not.

"Well, you NEED some one to save you," Chibi Usa huffed, making sure not to wear her heart on her sleeve, overcompensating more than slightly. "After all you are always getting in tight spots, anyway I only got him to come so that you wouldn't get killed before you finish helping me."

Usagi shrugged, tired of the brat's attitude and just plain tired too, "Okay."

- - - - - -

Chibi Usa didn't have much homework, unlike Usagi and her brother Shingo. She idly sulked around the house, thinking about the plan, working all of the fine details out in her mind. She finally settled for sitting outside the kitchen. Unfortunately dinner time was nearing, and the little girl's appetite wasn't paying attention to the schedule. She remembered Ikuko-mama bought some nice pudding snack cups earlier that day. The girl retrieved one and got a spoon out of the drawer to eat it with.

"CHIBI USA!" Ikuko said even louder. Chibi Usa jumped. She hadn't heard Ikuko, and was startled that she wasn't alone. "Are you feeling alright? Is something bothering you?"

Chibi Usa decided to be honest, she liked Ikuko, "I'm worried that Usagi-chan and Mamo-chan won't get back together."

That was news to Ikuko, "Usagi-chan and Mamo-chan broke up?"

"Good," Kenji said as he entered the kitchen where his wife and supposed niece were. "I hope they stay broken up, that Mamo-chan is much too old for Usagi-chan."

"B-but," Chibi Usa started to fume, overtired from lack of sleep and thinking too much.

"What?" asked Kenji very confused as to why the child he believed to be his niece was starting to cry.

"T-they have to get b-back together," Chibi Usa said brokenly through sobs. Ikuko tried to comfort the little girl, confused to why she was so upset.

"Why?" Kenji asked- pretending the little girl wasn't crying. He always thought it best to try to prevent crying before it happened, but to ignore it while it was happening.

"T-they're my mama and papa," Chibi Usa said quietly while sobbing. She paused for a second, while Ikuko and Kenji stared at her and then each other trying to make sense of what the child said.

"Oh, is that a game they were having you play?" Ikuko asked helpfully.

Shoot! Chibi Usa reprimanded herself silently, she had to hypnotize them again, it was always such a bother. "Luna-P, MAGIC!"

- - - - - - - - -

Chibi Usa tiptoed upstairs and peeked in to Usagi's room to see if she was still trying to finish her math problem set. She saw Usagi sobbing, mumbling to herself, and hugging her pillow tight. So much for her chances at having Sailor Moon fully functional, she sighed realizing. Chibi Usa decided that this tom-fool-ary had gone on way too long. She decided that since Usagi's happiness seemed to depend on Mamoru liking her, she'd get to the bottom of why he didn't.

She decided to go and ask him straightforwardly. It wasn't that she felt that bad for Usagi, it more more like she just wanted to get a full night's sleep for once. She sneaked out of the house, and went to Mamoru's apartment.

Mamoru was just finishing up making plans for his upcoming "medical emergency" which was going to explain his absence for the next few days. He was glad to have an old friend who was a doctor who said he was willing to help him.

"Mamo-chan, why did you break up with Usagi?" Chibi Usa demanded startling the young man who was checking off tasks on his "to do" list. "I know it's probably just so she won't get hurt, but really, she's hurting now."

This was about the last thing Mamoru wanted to deal with. It was odd, most of the time Chibi Usa acted as though she HATED Usagi- although when push came to shove, it was obvious that the young girl didn't really hate her. But Chibi Usa's feelings for Usagi were anything but protective, Mamoru doubted that Chibi Usa come over to harass him of her own free will because she felt bad. He wanted to get to the bottom of this, he asked in an even tone, "Chibi Usa, did Usagi send you over?"

"I do NOT do what Usagi tells me to do," Chibi Usa snapped- she was insulted by the mere suggestion. "If she had told me to do this I wouldn't. I'm not stupid enough to take orders from that Usagi-Atama. I'm only doing this so that I can get a decent amount of sleep."

Mamoru raised an eyebrow at "Usagi-Atama" she was "Odango-Atama"- silly girl. He sighed, he knew he should just brush the child off, not give her the answer she wanted, but he felt compelled to- against his better judgment.

"Chibi Usa, I don't think you quite understand the situation. If Usagi and I get back together, she won't just be hurt- she'll die. This hurts me a lot too. I feel awful for doing this, but I'd feel worse if Usagi died." His voice started to crack when he mentioned the possibility of Usagi dying. Afraid of startling the child by breaking down and crying in front of her he retreated to a corner, so that the little girl wouldn't see the tears forming in his eyes.

"My mama used to tell me stories about the Moon Princess, who became Sailor Moon," Chibi Usa said trying to appear helpful. "I remember one of the stories being about the moon princess when the prince from earth was about to be killed. The princess flung herself towards him to joined him, 'cuz she'd rather be with him than alive."

Mamoru grimaced, pained by being reminded of his failure to protect his love in his last life. He paused for a second, only thinking about his breathing pattern, determined not to break down and bawl like a baby. Whoever this kid's mom was sure knew a lot about Usagi- that in itself was moderately distressing. Mamoru fired the girl was smart, but, he doubted she thought through the "moral of the story" she had just told him. He did not believe he could, out of any sort of love, allow Usagi to destroy herself. Sure she is sad now, and may be for a while, but she'll stay alive.

You can recover from sorrow and grief much easier than you can recover from death, he figured. His course was the proper one. Renewed in his determination to save the girl he loved, that his actions although causing pain now would prevent pain, he was able to recompose himself.

Chibi Usa smiled, believing her plan was working well and that perhaps next Mamoru was going to go and make up with Usagi. "I can't wait to tell her."

"Woah there," Mamoru realized that Chibi Usa might have, heck probably did get the wrong impression. "What exactly are you going to tell her?"

"Just why you're being so mean to her," Chibi Usa said, trying to pass it off as no big deal. "Maybe I'll actually get a decent night's sleep."

"Absolutely not," Mamoru said firmly. "If you tell her that she'll just say things like, 'I'd rather spend what time I can with you than live forever without you.' There's no way you can tell her."

"Fine," Chibi Usa said, pouting. Mamoru was rarely strict or firm with her, so when he was adamant about something she listened.

Chibi Usa walked home- Luna P floating behind her, always hovering. She was to the point where she figured that Usagi and Mamoru both love each other, but Mamoru is willing to sacrifice their relationship for a feeling of safety for Usagi. She hasn't faded out of existence yet, therefore, they must get back together somehow. If they really don't, will she just disappear? That's what she saw happen on that one movie that one time.

- - - - - - - -

"Okay spore, where were you?" a grumpy Usagi greeted her future daughter. She was tired, frustrated from having to do so many hard math problems, she ended up calling Ami for help like a hundred times. What she did not need right now was the kid- who she didn't even like, but the current enemy seemed to want to kidnap or worse, disappearing mysteriously.

"I was, um, taking a walk," Chibi Usa said half-truthfully. She did walk, but she wasn't just doing that.

"Okay," Usagi said, not really caring to figure out if the kid was lying or not. She was tired, depressed and over-stressed. "I was worried! What if Rubeus had tried to get you again!"

"Chill out," the girl snapped. "I brought Luna P along. I'm not stupid!"

"Sorry," Usagi mumbled quietly, having had enough righteous anger and returning to depression. Seeing Usagi revert to compliance, she decided to make her next move.

"Don't cry all night tonight, 'cuz otherwise when we need you you'll be falling asleep. Could you call the senshi and tell them that we're leaving tomorrow."

Usagi nodded in agreement. She mindlessly told the senshi over the communicator about when and where, basically repeating what Chibi Usa told her when she asked.

"Oh," Chibi Usa said trying to sound innocent. "Don't forget to tell Mamo-chan."

Usagi snapped out of zombie-mode. "No, you call him."

"No, you call him, I refuse," Chibi Usa retorted.

"You gotta tell him! Otherwise you'll make it so he can't help like he agreed to!"

"Chibi Usa-" Usagi said exasperatedly. "I'm begging you, please, call him. I don't want to because he wants me to leave him alone. Please."

Chibi Usa rolled her eyes, her plan wasn't going that well. "You're so pathetic, begging a grade school student to make a phone call for you."

Usagi clasped her hands together making a pleading gestures, "please?"

"Alright," the pink haired girl said, looking down at Usagi. "But, you need to promise me something first."

"Yeah?" Usagi said. She wanted to just agree to whatever it was, but from her past experiences with the little pink-haired brat she knew she wanted to know what she was going to be in for.

"Don't keep me up all night crying!" Chibi Usa said grumpily. It would help get rid of her biggest worry, even if it wasn't in her original plan.

"Sure," Usagi said quickly, glad to have the fiasco over with.

"Hello?" Mamoru answered the phone.

"Hello," Chibi Usa said cheerfully. "It's me, Chibi Usa!"

"Hey, what's up?" Mamoru said, partially wondering how the kid got his phone number, but then figuring Usagi had something to do with it.

"Tomorrow at noon is when we're planning on leaving," Chibi Usa said plainly. "Usagi didn't want to call you to tell you that."

"Oh?" Mamoru said surprised. "If she doesn't want my help..."

"It's not that- it's not like that," Chibi Usa interrupted. "It's that she said that you told her to leave you alone. She thought it'd upset you."

Mamoru sighed, "Chibi Usa, please, next time I want a guilt trip, I'll ask for one ok?"

"What's a guilt trip?" Chibi Usa asked innocently.

"Look Chibi Usa," Mamoru said tiredly. "I have things I need to take care of, I'll be at the park tomorrow on time. See you then."

"Okay," Chibi Usa said, mildly annoyed at being blown off. "bye bye!"

Chibi Usa hung up grinning the phone grinning, despite the set back she was still sure her plan would work and get them back together. Since Usagi was not hovering over her, or really anywhere near her, she decided to call the other sailor senshi and make sure they'd do their part of her plan. They had all agreed, for the most part unquestioningly, except for Ami, who asked a lot of questions, but she agreed to do what she could to help right off the bat. Chibi Usa went to bed smiling for the first time in a while that night.

- - - - - - - - -

Chibi Usa got up early the next morning. There was still one person she needed to get a hold of and talk to. The girl snuck into a closet in a room that wasn't used very much. She hit the button that was Luna P's nose.

"Small Lady to Puu, come in Puu," Chibi Usa said.

"Yes, what is it Small Lady?" the pixelated image of a dark skinned, dark haired woman answered. "Are you in danger?"

"No," Chibi Usa said, happy to speak with her friend again. "I wanted to let you know that Sailor Moon, her senshi and Tuxedo Kamen are going to be coming to the future in a few hours. Also, I was wondering if you could do me a favor..."

- - - - - - - - -

Chibi Usa had eaten breakfast, gotten dressed, brushed her teeth, packed a lunch or two, and Usagi was still sleeping.Figuring that it was Saturday, and so Ikuko-mama was unlikely to make Usagi get up, Chibi Usa decided that she must take matters into her own hands. Chibi Usa bounced Luna-P on the floor, said the magic words, and had it transform into a squirt gun. Usagi woke up to water being sprayed in her face. She was not accustomed, nor expecting such a wake-up call; she didn't want to open her eyes for fear of water getting squirted in them. She screamed loudly, thinking that she might be under some sort of attack. The water stopped, and the blond-haired girl with the unusual hairdo heard a familiar giggle. Immediately Usagi knew who her attacker was.

"You little brat!"

"Come on Usagi," Chibi Usa said seriously. "If you sleep forever we'll never leave for the future."

"Humph," Usagi grumbled, discontently. "Ever consider, maybe just, oh I don't know, giving me a nudge, or a poke?"

Chibi Usa rolled her eyes. "You'd fall back sleep."

"This day sucks to far," Usagi grumbled as she got out of bed. "First a nightmare, then waking up to a brat with a water gun."

"Next time get up earlier," Chibi Usa retorted as she left the room.

- - - - - - - - - - -

The two odango haired girls arrived at the park just as a nearby clock was chiming noon. The other senshi were already there and likely had been there for a while, the girls had found the nearby park benches and made themselves comfortable, Ami was reading a book. Even Mamoru was there, good to his word. But he kept his distance, from the other senshi as well as Usagi, trying his best to avoid looking at her when she tried to greet him and waved.

He did his best to keep a stiff upper lip, to not show emotion. Everyone thought he looked as though he was frowning, everyone but Usagi didn't quite know how to deal with him, so left him alone.

Usagi forced herself to smile and go up to him and exchange pleasantries with him. For every step she took towards him, he took a step back, it got to the point where he was backing into trees Usagi gave up for fear he would disappear into the small woods of the park.

"Pathetic isn't it?" Chibi Usa said to the older girls when she figured Usagi wouldn't hear. The girls grimaced or ignored Chibi Usa. The kid did have a point, but Usagi was there friend, and they didn't to speak ill of her, especially when she was technically still in earshot, even though she was distracted.

"Anyway," the pink-haired brat said broadly, aware of the disapproval of her last statement. "Is everyone ready?"

"Usagi! Mamoru!" Rei yelled at her friends, "You ready?"

Usagi turned around, and joined her friends, smiling and nodding, "Yes, I'm ready!"

Mamoru returned closer to the group, careful to keep his distance from Usagi, and most importantly to not look her in the eye. He did once, accidentally, when she arrived.

Despite her smile and exuberant personality, her eyes betrayed her sadness and the depth of grief she was going through. He would give anything of his to be able to hold her and comfort her, but he couldn't give up her safety, which is what he would have to do in order to do that.

"Oh, yeah," Chibi Usa said awkwardly. "Puu told me that there's an evil sailor senshi running around on the time-highway. It might be best if you guys transformed before we go."

"There's such a thing as an evil Sailor senshi?" Usagi asked thoughtfully. When Chibi Usa assured her she shrugged and transformed, as did the other senshi. Chibi Usa solemnly activated the time key and the sailor soldiers were sucked into a rather desolate time vortex.

"Come on, get up," Chibi Usa prodded the girls and Mamoru. "We have to get all the way to Crystal Tokyo! At this rate we'll never get there."

"We. Have. To. Walk. Through. Time?" Usagi slowly asked irked. "Yeah,"

Chibi Usa said nervously smiling. "It shouldn't take too long."

A lurking dark figure watched over the sailor senshi and Tuxedo Mask as they began their journey...

To be continued...