Hi again at long last I bring you Chapter 4 of The Ghosts of Christmas Eve. Please read and review and let me know what you think.
Author's notes - First and foremost I would like to apologize for this taking so long. This Chapter underwent many revisions and I even had to split it in half. I'd also like to thank my reviewers so far. I do hope you enjoy it and I will have Chapter 5 posted soon as it is already over half done and not going too bad. One other thing, I was recently informed by a close friend that most Japanese People do not celebrate a traditional Americanized Christmas but when I started this that wasn't a consideration. Yes I probably could have used the dub but as I seriously cannot stand it much, I chose to have them celebrate it my way just this once. -
The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Chapter 4 – Oh Night Divine – Part 1
Usagi spent the day helping her mom, decorating, baking cookies, and wrapping gifts. Placing her families' gifts' under the tree, the other ones ended up nicely bagged ready to go with her to Rei's temple. Glancing at the clock she noticed it was after three and time to go.
Gathering her parka and the bag of gifts for her friends she slipped out the door. Walking across town she prepared herself for what she was about to do. I can do this, I must do this. Making it her mantra, it carried her to the steps of the Temple.
Making her way slowly up the stairs she stopped near the top pondering the girls' arguments. How will they try to convince me to stay? Not knowing she took a deep breath and climbed the last few steps. Striding to the door she raised her hand to knock and then suddenly turned away.
I can't do this…I don't want to disappoint them. That is when the leader in her spoke up. You have to do this, in order to protect the Moon Princess, turn your butt around and knock. The vehemence behind the thought sounded similar to Luna or Rei when trying to make her better. Strange, she turned around once again and actually knocked it was only seconds before the door opened.
Rei stood smiling warmly. "Usagi-chan, you made it." She grabbed her wrist surprisingly gently and pulled her inside.
Usagi didn't know what to think when suddenly she found herself engulfed in a warm hug. Warm breath tickled her ear when Rei spoke.
"Merry Christmas, Usagi-chan," Rei pulled back and tugged her into the main room where everyone was already sitting.
That was different. Usagi glanced around and noticed that everyone smiled at her as she sat the bag down and took off her coat. Spying Mamoru-san sitting across the room with an odd gleam in his eyes, her breath stolen for a moment, she tried to memorize the look, she wanted to ponder it later, and because she knew after her announcement he would never look at her the same. Sighing softly she waited nervously chewing her lip.
Rei glanced at Minako and nodded imperceptibly for her to begin.
Minako seeing the nod from Rei glanced at Usagi a moment before beginning. "Usagi-chan you wanted to have a Senshi meeting?"
Usagi felt her palms sweating and wiped them on her jeans. She glanced at all of her friends before clearing her throat and trying to speak.
"Eto…I called you all here together to make an announcement." She paused thoughtfully, how do I say this? "As Leader of the Senshi I have reached a decision…Recent events have led me to believe that this is the right decision."
She reached up slowly and pulled the chain that held her brooch from around her neck. Sighing she held the still warm metal for the last time. "Venus, my second in command, I give you the moon locket and charge you with the leadership of the Senshi. I am stepping down as leader and as Sailor Moon." Usagi stood and held the brooch out for Minako.
Gasps filled the room even though everyone knew what was coming it was still difficult to see it happen.
"But…Usagi-chan, please tell us why?" Minako glanced at Usagi as she accepted the Moon Locket.
Usagi's head dropped as guilt swamped her. "I am not fit to be leader." She tried to control the tears that threatened, burning in her eyes.
"What makes you think that, Usagi?" Rei spoke softly a touch of concern coloring her voice.
Keeping her head down she gave up the fight and tears ran down her face. "In case any of you have forgotten an innocent child," A sob interrupted her answer and she fought to speak again to finish the damning confession.
"An innocent child was killed and I should have done something, anything, I should have prevented it from happening. Therefore I am unfit to lead the Senshi. Don't you see?"
She let her anger show for just a moment before gentling her tone. "We don't even know who the Moon Princess is. It is our job to protect her and I cannot even protect human innocents!"
The pity she perceived on her friends faces' was too much to handle. With a heart shattering sob she bolted, leaving her parka and the bag of gifts behind. Before anyone could react she was already out of the door and gone. Rei and Mamoru shared a painful look it was just as they had feared only worse.
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Usagi ran down the steps to the street blinded by hot tears scalding her face. When she reached the sidewalk she kept going. I have to get away, where can I be alone? Deciding home would have to do, she hurried back to her house. Reaching her porch she swiped at her wet face with her sweater trying to repair some of the damage. They will check my room. Where can I hide, think, the attic. No one has been up there for years.
Sneaking in the house, she quietly made her way to the drop stairs and pulled them down. Making her way hurriedly up the steps she quickly pulled the stairs up behind her.
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Mamoru stood staring in the direction of Usagi-chan's disappearance. Glancing at the girls, he was not surprised to see worried expressions on everyone's face, mirroring his own, and the earlier celebratory mood was completely forgotten.
"So any ideas on what we should do now?" He stood trying to decide what to do.
"Well she probably went home, so for now all we can do is figure out how to help her see that this is not her own personal cross to bear." Rei glanced at the girls before continuing. "That is the hard part because how do we help her?" She walked over to Usagi's recently vacated chair and dropped into it. Picking up Usagi's coat she found herself feathering her fingers over the soft pink material while thinking.
"But what if…she didn't go home?" Mamoru's mind was filled with horrifying images of all the bad things that could happen and he ran a nervous hand through his hair.
"I can only think of one other place she might go." Throwing a meaningful look in Mamoru's direction Rei continued. "You can go check there if you are worried." With a soft smile she tried to sound reassuring, "but I will bet you money that she went home."
Knowing he needed time to contemplate everything, Mamoru quickly made up his mind. "I'll go just to be sure."
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Mamoru walked along the street his hands in his pockets, lost in thought. What does all of this mean? Why am I so worried, is it because I love her? This thought was so shocking it brought him to a complete halt. Of course I have loved Sailor Moon but finding out Usagi was Sailor Moon came as a big surprise, the real question is do I love Usagi? He started walking again questioning the new thoughts and emotions running through him. With a small smile he gave in to the idea that he loved Usagi as well as Sailor Moon.
Arriving in the park he wandered to an area he was becoming more and more familiar with. Sighting a bench on the other side he wandered towards it. Seeing no Usagi brought profound relief. I didn't want to find her here torturing herself even more.
Sitting on the bench he savored the emotions roiling through him. Smiling, after a bit he decided to head back to the temple
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Usagi flipped the light switch and a single weak bulb flared to life. Walking further into the gloomy room she was surprised at all of the junk that her parents stored in the attic. With only the single weak bulb shadows danced around the room, giving the room an eerie quality. She had never been up here before in this area that held all kinds of junk.
Spying a wooden rocking chair over in a corner she slowly approached it and sat. Leaning back she rocked gently letting her mind wander and before she knew it she was dozing peacefully.
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Waking up a little while later Usagi actually felt a little bit better after the nap. Stretching slowly she looked around the attic and noticed all the boxes and stuff stored in the room. When she glanced at the far corner she was surprised to see an old wooden looking glass. It was nearly as tall as she was and it was held lovingly in a wooden frame with wooden feet.
Next to the mirror boxes were stacked everywhere with hastily scrawled labels. One read Shingo's old toys. There was also a crib taken apart leaning against the far wall. I remember when Shingo slept in that in his room. She smiled softly remembering holding her brother when he first came home from the hospital. Glancing back towards the mirror she spied a heavy wooden trunk. It was partially hidden by the stacked boxes.
Usagi could see part of an attached label USA… was all that was visible. Her curiosity piqued she slowly approached the trunk. After sliding behind the boxes she could read the entire label USAGI'S BABY THINGS. Why would Oka-san have my stuff from when I was a baby here in a wooden trunk? Staring at the trunk she noticed the fine quality of workmanship. Someone had carved a rose garden with a full moon lovingly into the wood on the lid. They had taken the time to paint the scene with vivid colors and amazing realism.
Tracing a finger over one of the roses she contemplated opening it and peeking at the contents. I don't think Oka-san will mind…well…at least I hope not. Curiosity getting the better of her she slowly lifted the lid. On top of all the stuff inside sat a plush pink rabbit in sad shape. I remember that, I used to sleep with it and had to have it with me always. A soft smile wandered over her face.
Setting the rabbit out of the way she came across a photo album. Turning the pages she glanced at pictures she had seen and some she had not. Relatives and family friends all smiling at a baby and her first birthday party pictures were there. Closing it she smoothed her fingers over the front cover lovingly. Laying it next to the rabbit she found a tiny baby dress in pink. I was really that small? Moving it aside she saw all kinds of baby things but what caught her attention was the envelope at the bottom.
Curiosity getting the best of her, she reached down and let her fingers find the aged paper. Pulling it up slowly she wondered at the contents. Glancing at the top her name was written neatly in katakana. Thank kami it is not sealed. She slid her finger inside the envelope and popped out the flap.
Holding the now open envelope she slowly stood and walked over to the rocking chair and sat before regarding the envelope again. Usagi reached in a pulled out what appeared to be a letter. Unfolding it gently she began to read.
July 7, 1978
Dear Usagi-chan,
You have been my beautiful baby now for one whole week. I want at some future date for you to read this and know a mothers love. I already see what a beauty you are going to become and I know you are smart. Even if nobody believes me I know I saw you smile already. You are the greatest blessing in mine and your father's life.
He is so very proud of having a beautiful baby girl to show off to the world. He already has your picture in a frame on his desk at work and I bet his co-workers are already sick of daily updates on you. You are the first thing he comes to see when he walks in the door. "How is my baby girl doing today?"
I want you to know Usagi-chan that I already know you are destined for great things. I can sense it in your loving calm gaze as you take in this new world. I hope that if a time ever comes when you need a reason to believe that this will help you find it some how.
I love you darling, Haha
Reading through the letter a second time tears slipped down her cheeks. I know they love me of course, but this is just amazing. She set the letter carefully in her lap and just let the words float in her mind.
It took a few minutes for her to notice the temperature drop as a chill raced over her skin. Snapping back into the moment she glanced around in surprise. Could a window be open? How silly I know there are no windows up here. Ignoring the now forgotten letter she rubbed her hands together to warm them as she chuckled nervously.
Out of nowhere a tiny light formed in the middle of the room and her laughter died in her throat. Trying to swallow was near impossible as she realized her mouth had gone dry. She watched with trepidation as the light began to grow in size and brightness. When it became too bright to see Usagi scrunched her eyes closed. Her heart seemed to be racing out of control when she realized the brightness seemed to dim. Cracking her eyes open she was surprised to see an elegant figure in front of her.
"Are you the Moon Princess?" the words slipped out without thought.
"You are Sailor Moon, am I correct?" The Princess smiled mysteriously and left her question unanswered.
Usagi could think of no other reply and just simply nodded.
"Dear come here, we haven't much time." The royal personage held out her hand and Usagi slowly stood and approached. Taking the proffered hand she suddenly felt queasy as everything seemed to dissipate around them. Questions swarmed through her mind but the queasy strange movement held her tongue still.
"I think here will do." The Princess spoke firmly and suddenly the feeling stopped. Usagi glanced around to see that they were no longer in her attic. In fact they were standing in the middle of the sidewalk, in downtown Tokyo at rush hour.
She led Usagi to a store front where a big screen TV was showing the evening news for commuters. The Princess turned towards the screen and urged Usagi to watch.
"Top story at five, the OSA-P Jeweler was attacked last night. We are greatly saddened to announce that both the owner and her daughter, a local junior high student, were found dead this morning."
"Demo…" Usagi had been there, saving Naru-chan and her mother, and was ready to point that out.
"Just watch" The Princess commanded cutting her off.
"At this time, there are no suspects or leads in the case but officials are remaining quiet on these mysterious deaths as police continue the investigation."
A tear slipped down Usagi's cheek as she thought about Naru-chan's death and what this news cast meant. The Princess calmly drew Usagi back to the spot where they had arrived.
Still holding her hand the Princess spoke once more. "We're ready." Suddenly Usagi felt everything rapidly dissipating and the queasy sensation attacked once more. This round seemed quicker and suddenly they were standing back in her attic.
"Sailor Moon, do you know why I took you to see that?" The Queen waited patiently as Usagi thought about her answer.
"But…that wasn't what happened. I saved Naru-chan and her mother as Sailor Moon."
"Precisely my dear, you will understand more as the evening hours leave. Now go pick up that letter that you dropped. Your mother really loves you. I have to go." With a quick wave thePrincess vanished as if she had never been there.
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Mamoru strolled back up the stairs to the temple as a smile tickled his face. He felt a new lightness as though the stone that had held his heart was finally demolished and gone. Now all I have to do is convince Usagi that she must not give up. I can do it, I can do anything.
He had that walking on water feeling as he knocked on the door. The door was hastily opened and Rei waved him in.
"Well?" Seeing his smile she hoped that she was correct and Usagi had hurried home.
"No…you must be right." Mamoru glanced at the other girls to see perplexed looks at the lack of details. "But just to be sure one of you should call her house and see how she is doing."
"I'll do it…" Minako jumped up and wandered to the phone.
Mamoru studied the girls while waiting. They seem stressed but I will reassure them. Makoto he noticed sat with her back to the wall staring off while Ami was reading a text book but hadn't turned a page since he walked in.
When a gasp broke through his meanderings he turned towards the phone.
"I must have been mistaken Usagi-chan is probably at the arcade visiting Motoki-san thank you Tsukino-san." With false cheeriness ringing in her voice Minako said good bye and hung the phone up.
Turning towards everyone they could immediately see the worry on her face. "She didn't go home they haven't seen her since she left to come here." Her words left everyone filled with ice cold fear.
Where did she go? Mamoru thought quickly about where to search. "I'll check the Arcade you guys check with some of her friends, and don't worry too much. I think I can convince her not to quit. Let's meet back here in an hour." Without waiting for anything he rushed back out the door heading for the Arcade.
Here is an end to Chapter 4, please let me know what you think.
Haha – Mother
For informational purposes I checked my Japanese/English dictionary.