THE EXTERMINATORS

Chapter 4: "A Present In The Past"

By Bill K.

Usa approached the gate and peered in. Playing in the front yard was a four year old girl. Her hair was spun gold, gathered at the sides of her head with thick curls dangling down each side. Her chubby little hands were bouncing a ball on the sidewalk. However, they didn't seem to have much coordination to them and the ball passed through them to smack the girl on the nose. As the ball bounced away, she rubbed her nose and gave the toy a fleeting dirty look.

The song of a bird in the trees made her momentary pique melt away. Big blue eyes stared up at the bird, entranced by the wonder of nature and the beauty of its song. The girl held her hand up and the bird accepted the invitation. It flew down, perching on her hand unafraid. Warbling for a very special audience of one, it sang while the girl beamed at it.

At length the bird flew away. The cherubic young girl waved, then noticed Usa at the gate. Without a second thought, she walked right up to the gate. Flashing dimples that were almost lethal, the young girl shoved out a hand through the bars of the iron gate.

"Hello," she said in a charming squeak of a voice. "My name is Usagi. Would you like to be my friend?"

"Oh, this is too weird!" thought the terrified young princess.

Trailing behind the spooked princess were Diana and Luna-P. The cat noted the distress and confusion her charge had upon confronting her own mother at age four. Though she was tempted to watch and gloat, instead the cat reached out and gently nudged the pink-tressed princess on her ankle.

"OOH, look at the pretty kitty!" Usagi squealed. Her hand shot through the bars of the gate and began scratching Diana's head. Ever a sucker for a good head scratch, Diana arched her back and began purring. This seemed to shake the princess out of her stupor.

"Her name's Diana," Usa grinned, kneeling so she was at eye level with the girl. "She loves it when you scratch along her neck."

"Is she yours?" Usagi beamed.

"Let's just say she chose to bum around with me," Usa smirked and glanced at Diana. The gray cat's eye twinkled her amused response.

"I'd love to have a kitty of my own," sighed Usagi. Then her face screwed into an adorable pout. "But Mama says I'm too young. I'm not too young! I'm four!"

"And you'd be amazed at what you can do at four," Usa chuckled. "Usagi, I'd love to be your friend. Want to hear something weird? My name's Usagi, too."

"Really!" Usagi squealed and for a moment Usa saw the same joyous energy dancing in the child's big blue eyes that she still occasionally saw in her mother's.

"Tell you what, though," Usa said, her joy dimmed with recalling her mission. "I did come here for another reason. Is your mom or dad home?"

"Daddy is at work," Usagi proclaimed, proud of her ability to recall such a complex memory. "He works for a magazine. He does everything there. I heard him tell Mama that once."

"He's probably pretty good at it, too," Usa smiled, misting up around the eyes. "How about your Mom?"

"Mama's inside taking care of Shingo," Usagi told her. "Shingo is my little brother. He's two." Usagi leaned in conspiratorially. "He cries a lot. And he's a brat."

"Can I talk to your Mom, Usagi-um, chan?" Usa asked. Her mind whirled momentarily because she'd almost slipped and said Usagi-Okasan.

Usagi nodded enthusiastically, her curls bouncing and her dimpled grin reaching a new high on the "kawaii" meter.

"You wait here! I'll go get Mama!" Usagi beamed. She turned to run to the house, but stopped and turned back sheepishly. "I'd let you in myself but I can't reach the knob."

And off she flew to the house. For a moment Usa wondered if she'd hallucinated all of this and she was still laying on the floor of Viluy's lair.

"A bit much to absorb, My Lady?" Diana smirked.

"Well, yeah!" huffed the Princess. "I'm talking to my own mother and I'm twelve years OLDER than she is! I thought it was tough trying to relate to her when she was fourteen! That was nothing!" Usa sagged against the gate. "How am I going to do this?"

"You use all your training as Sailor Moon and all your strength as the Princess of Crystal Tokyo," Diana replied confidently.

"No, not that!" whined Usa. "I can't let her know who I really am! That could change everything! But it's hard to talk to her and keep track of what I'm not supposed to say!" Usa scowled. "It's because she's so damn cute! She wasn't so intimidating when she was fourteen and tripping over her own hair trails."

"My Lady," Diana sighed, "must you see the dark side of everything? You've a chance to see your mother in an entirely new light, see her at a time when everything is new and exciting! Perhaps you may even have a chance to contribute to the world-renowned icon she's to become! And you've another chance to spend time with your grandparents. Couple that with your mission and the wonderful riches this world will regain when you succeed and you've a chance for glorious and fulfilling success. And all you can do is fret."

Usa stroked the cat's back and Diana arched to meet her hand.

"I never could win an argument with you," Usa muttered playfully. "How much time do we have until Viluy's assassin arrives?"

"Enough time to get settled in," Diana replied. Then she noticed the door opening. "Ikuko is coming. Do you remember how to engage the hypnotic program in Luna-P?"

"Yeah," Usa sighed with guilt. "I wish I didn't have to hypnotize them again. I wish I could just tell Ikuko-Mama everything." Diana looked at her urgently. "Don't worry. I'll do it."

"Perhaps you could transform Luna-P into something less conspicuous?" Diana suggested.

"Yeah, right. Luna-P transform. Become a-a chain and pendant," the Princess commanded. In a puff of smoke, Luna-P transformed as commanded and Usa quickly donned the chain and black cat's head pendant.

"Hello," Ikuko said warmly as she approached the gate. However Usa noticed an undercurrent of suspicion and protectiveness for her family and hearth. She recalled earlier memories of Ikuko-Mama from previous visits. She always seemed like the ideal mother. But cross her and she became your worst nightmare. "My daughter tells me you wanted to speak with me?"

"Yeah," Usa began haltingly. "Um, the name's Usagi. I'm, um, Reika's daughter."

"My sister Reika?" Ikuko interrupted. She seemed confused and wary. "Reika doesn't have any children."

Usa emitted a resigned sigh. "Luna-P, engage hypno-program."

Kaleidoscopic light shot out from the pendant's eyes and struck the eyes of both Ikuko and Usagi. The two stood transfixed by the light, their minds blank.

"I'm your sister Reika's daughter, Usagi," Usa told Ikuko. "She called and asked if I could stay with you for a little while so she can go on this, um, extended business trip."

Once the message was concluded, Luna-P stopped transmitting the hypno-beam. Slowly conscious thought returned to Ikuko.

"Usagi-chan!" Ikuko beamed. "It's so good to see you again!" The woman leaned in and hugged Usa. The teen stiffened at first, then softened and enjoyed the embrace acquired by fraud. "My, you've gotten so big, too! You're practically a woman now!"

"Um, yeah," Usa grinned. "Say, how about we just call me 'Usa' - - so we don't confuse me with, um, with your daughter."

"That's fine," Ikuko smiled.

"And - - can I still call you 'Ikuko-Mama'?" Usa inquired timidly.

"I don't see why not." Ikuko bent down to little Usagi. "Usagi, I'd like you to meet your cousin Usa. She's going to be staying with us."

Usa glanced at Usagi - - and immediately swallowed uncomfortably. Usagi was staring up at Usa wary and afraid. Immediately Usa realized that, even at this young age, the hypno-beam had no effect on Usagi Tsukino. The girl backed away and took refuge behind Ikuko's leg.

"That's odd," Ikuko remarked. "She's usually very out-going with strangers. I usually have to warn her to be careful."

"M-Maybe I insulted her," Usa alibied. She looked down at Usagi. "I'm sorry if I did anything to scare you."

Usagi only clung tighter to her mother's leg.

"Well, let's get you settled," Ikuko said. "Oh, is that your cat?"

"Yeah," Usa replied. "It's OK if she stays with me, isn't it?"

Ikuko wavered. "I suppose so. But please keep her away from Shingo. He's only two and I wouldn't want him accidentally hurting her."

Taking charge of her guest, Ikuko led Usa and Diana inside. The entire trip, Usagi made certain to keep her mother between her and Usa at all times, much to the chagrin of the senshi in disguise.

"That's an unusual hair color, if you don't mind my saying so," Ikuko said. They opened the door to Usagi's room. "You can sleep here. Usagi can double up with her brother."

Usa instantly saw Usagi's distress.

"Um, I don't want to put Usagi out of her room," Usa quickly told her host.

"Nonsense, she'll be fine with her brother," Ikuko smiled.

"No, really. I-I wouldn't feel right about it. I can sleep on the sofa if I have to."

"I won't hear of it!"

"Ikuko-Mama, really, I don't want to be a bother. Just roll out a mat for me and I'll be fine. I insist."

"All right," Ikuko sighed. "If it's that important to you. But we'll put the mat in Shingo's room. I won't have you sleeping in the living room. And I'll see if I can get Kenji to clean up the attic and turn it into a place for you."

More memories flooded over the girl. "OK, Ikuko-Mama. I'll try not to be a burden. You let me know where I can help out."

"All right. I know. How good of a cook are you?"

Usa made a face of reluctant embarrassment.

"A girl your age and you don't know how to cook?" clucked Ikuko. "How do you expect to get a boyfriend?" She turned to Usagi. "Go and play, dear. And check in on your brother."

"What if his diaper's stinky?" huffed Usagi.

"Usagi, your brother hasn't worn a diaper in almost a year," Ikuko sighed. "Go and check on him."

"Yes, Mama," Usagi frowned glumly. She wandered off, but before she disappeared into the next room, she shot a wary glance at Usa again.

"Come one, Usa, I'll show you a few kitchen basics. You'll need this if you ever want to get a boyfriend."

"I've already got a boyfriend," Usa replied, falling into an easy rapport with her grandmother, "and he doesn't care how I cook."

"Really?" Ikuko smiled. "He sounds special. You're going to have to tell me all about him now. What's his name?"

"Helios," Usa admitted before thinking better of it.

"That's an odd name," Ikuko remarked. "Is he Greek?"

"Um, yeah."

"And he lives in Japan?"

"No. We, um, he visits - - sometimes."

"A long distance romance?" Ikuko said sympathetically. She patted the girl's shoulder. "It must be hard for you."

"You can say that again," the teen sighed openly.

That evening, Kenji arrived home from the magazine where he was photo editor. Ikuko met him in the hall, ushering Usa into the hall with her.

"Well, we've got a guest!" Kenji remarked. He was still the bespeckled, amiable everyman that Usa fondly remembered. If anything, he seemed to have even more upbeat energy than before.

"Kenji, this is Usa," Ikuko explained. Suddenly the phone rang. "Oh, who could that be?" Ikuko scowled in annoyance and left them to answer it. "She'll be staying with us! She's Reika's daughter!" Ikuko called over her shoulder as she went into the other room.

"Your sister, Reika?" Kenji asked after her, clearly confused. "Hon', this girl has to be sixteen or seventeen! Reika's younger than you are!"

Usa grimaced. "Luna-P, engage hypno-program." The beam shot out from the pendant's eyes and struck Kenji, rendering him blank and motionless.

"NO!" shrieked Usagi, running out from concealment. "Leave my Daddy alone!"

The girl grabbed Kenji's pant leg and frantically tugged on him. Usa felt so bad that she wanted to crawl into a hole, but knew how essential it was to the mission she was on. In an attempt to ease the four-year-old's fears, Usa started to bend to her. However she only succeeded in spooking the child further.

"MAMA!" the terrified child screamed, racing into the kitchen.

"Man, can I possibly make this any worse?" groaned Usa. "Kenji, I'm Reika's daughter. You've known about me for years."

No sooner had Kenji snapped back to lucidity then Usagi returned, followed by a confused Ikuko.

"Mama, stop her! She's doing something to Daddy!" howled Usagi, pointing a chubby finger at Usa. Ikuko looked the situation over and saw nothing abnormal. Her expression clouded over. A frown stole onto her mouth.

"Usagi," the woman sighed. "Don't make up stories."

"I'm not making it up, Mama!" Usagi tearfully protested.

"I don't know why you don't like Usa, honey," Ikuko continued sternly. "It's your choice to make. But making up stories about people isn't right."

"Ikuko-Mama, don't!" Usa sobbed suddenly, taking everyone by surprise. "Usagi isn't making up things!"

All eyes turned toward the teen and she felt a hot flush through her body. She struggled to know what to say and what not to.

"Look, maybe," Usa struggled, "maybe Usagi saw me do - - something - - and-and misinterpreted it and thought I was hurting Kenji-Papa. But don't accuse her of making things up! Don't do that to a kid! If you do, they may never know if they can trust you to believe in them again!"

An awkward silence filled the room. For a moment Usa felt like she was swirling down a drain.

"Maybe I better go," she sobbed, turning for the door. "I don't want to cause any trouble."

The girl fled for the door, passing by a very surprised and anxious Diana. Her hand closed around the door knob, only to have another, larger hand close around hers. Usa looked up and found the kindly gaze of Kenji standing over her.

"You don't have to go, Usa," he said with a forgiving tone that for a fleeting moment hinted at the forgiving tone her mother had. "We obviously got off on the wrong foot. But you're family. There's a bond between us and that bond means we can work things out. There's no trouble so large that should be able to come between family. Not if you step back and look at things, and decide what's important and what's not as important. Once you realize that, you've got a bedrock that can support you. It means you don't have to run away from problems."

Usa winced. Despite her ambitions, she'd reverted to type once again at the first sign of trouble. She still wasn't strong enough to resist the urge to run away from her troubles. But her kindly grandfather had given her a second chance and she was determined to make the most of it.

"You're right, Kenji-Papa," Usa mumbled. "I'm not always that bright. I'm sorry if I caused any grief for anyone. I'll try better to show you how grateful I am that you're letting me stay here."

"You're family, Usa," Ikuko grinned. "To do anything else wouldn't be right."

Then Ikuko looked down at her daughter. She didn't say a word, but the expectant look of her expression was enough to let anyone know what she hoped Usagi would do. But she was going to let the child decide what to do herself.

"Cousin," Usagi squeaked. "I'm sorry if I was bad."

"You don't have anything to be sorry about," Usa replied. She knelt down and took the child in her arms. "You were looking out for your Mom and Dad. That's never, ever anything to be sorry about."

"You can sleep in my room tonight," Usagi offered contritely. "You can even sleep in my bed if you want to."

"Well that depends," Usa said, pulling back to face the child with a wicked grin on her face. "You don't drool in your sleep, do you?"

"NO!" barked Usagi. Then she grew embarrassed. "Well, not much. How do you know?"

"My Mom does the same thing," Usa smirked.

And in that moment, Usa and Usagi seemed to connect. And Usa saw in Usagi's eyes an impossible spark of recognition. The child seemed confused by the emotion, understandable for a child of four. Her brow furrowed and she stared at the teen.

"Do you sense me, Mom?" Usa thought, feeling tears welling. "I don't know how you could, but if anyone could, it'd probably be you. I won't let you down, Mom. I swear it. I swear it."

Continued in Chapter 5