Title: Leaving home
Author: Ree
Theme: Chibi-Usa (time travel)
Genre: General
Version: PGSM
Rating: G

This lovely child and her friends were the creations of Takeuchi Naoko. I am just playing with some really nice dolls. ( And hiding them from my daughter and niece.-)

Leaving home

Pluto looked down at the small, dark-haired princess who had come to her for protection. The little girl was trying not to tremble in fear. Pluto felt the ground shake again as another crytal smashed into the Earth. "You must go back in time. It is the only way to protect you from the enemy."

Small Lady shook her head no. "I don't want to leave Mama or Daddy. I have to find some way to help them. What can I do, Puu?"

Pluto creased her brow as she tried to think of a way to get Small Lady to safety. Even as she dismissed ideas, she saw a pale golden glow form around the princess. 'She has inherited the Silver Crystal? But how? Serenity is still alive. Are there two of them? How?'

She sank to her knees and wrapped Small Lady loosely in her arms. "You need to go back until you have had a chance to think of a plan, or until the Guardian Senshi have succeeded in defeating the enemy."

The golden glow shrank. Pluto sat back on to her heels. Looking into the child's eyes, she unhooked a key off her belt. "They shouldn't be able to find you there. And if they do... I'm sure someone will protect you. Take this key. It grants you the ability to travel through time. It will take you to the past, and it will also bring you back to the future."

Taking Small Lady's hand, she placed the key into her palm and wrapped the little fingers over it. Small Lady looked at her now closed fist, and the top of the ornate golden key sticking out of it. Pale brown eyes met dark garnet ones.

"I'll be able to come back, right?" Small Lady tried to hide the fear she was feeling.

Pluto nodded yes. "As soon as I can, I'll call you back."

"How? How will you talk to me?" Small Lady's fear seeped into her voice.

Pluto smiled softly as she touched the charm bracelet that Sailor Mercury had made. "Through your communication bracelet. Just gently push the kitten charm's nose, and it will contact me."

Small Lady looked at the charm, the key, and then finally back at Pluto. "Okay. I'll go."

Giving her brave princess one last hug, she stood and opened the Gates of Time. "Step through the doors. Your key will open a path. Follow it, and don't step off of it."

Small Lady stepped into the door way and stared at the time stream in fear. She could see no where to go, nothing was solid. Holding on to her trust in Pluto, she held out the key. As the key glowed a garnet color, a cherry pink path materialized at her feet. Casting one last look at her best friend, she started down the path that led to an unknown past and to her uncertain future.