Notes: Episode 159, "Chibi-Usa's Little Rhapsody of Love" (Or, "The one where everyone tries to find out Chibi-Usa's boyfriend.")

Episode 159

The Sacred Fire was quiet today. Some days it didn't stop filling Rei's mind with grave warnings and graphic details, or sometimes just some juicy bit of gossip Rei swore she really didn't care about. But here she was, worried about someone, and it wouldn't give her anything.

You couldn't force these things. That was one of the first lessons Rei had to learn as a very young, very impatient child. The Fire spoke when, how, and about whatever it felt like, no matter how aggravating that was.

And make no mistake, it was VERY aggravating.

Rei was preparing to try again (sometimes The Fire rewarded persistence) when she felt a familiar presence. It must be later than she thought. No more time to coax answers from The Fire; talking directly to the source it was.

It always took a moment for Rei's eyes to readjust after a long meditation, but she didn't have to see to know that Chibi-Usa was hovering in the entryway. Rei smiled, glad that the little girl had come over. And if she were being very honest, a tiny bit relieved, too. After the way everything had gone yesterday, Rei wouldn't have been surprised if Chibi-Usa had stayed angry with them for days. Weeks, even. Rei wasn't sure she could've forgiven so quickly, but then Chibi-Usa was her mother's daughter.

"Hi," Rei said softly as she rose to her feet.

"Hi." Crisp, short. There was definite pout happening. Not entirely forgiven, then, but the door had been left open.

"Thanks for coming."

Chibi-Usa crossed her arms and turned away from Rei. "I don't have anything else to say to you guys about romance."

Rei laughed, not bothering to hide her embarrassment. "Yeah, we went a bit too far, huh?"

One red eye cracked open and glared at Rei. "A bit?"

"A lot too far," agreed Rei. "We got caught up tying to find out for us and forgot it was about you. I'm sorry."

Chibi-Usa kept her arms crossed and her chin thrust out, keen to hold every last crucial second of her anger. Rei didn't press, but when Chibi-Usa glanced over, she'd knelt down to be eyelevel with her and made sure to wear a contrite yet hopeful expression.

With a massive sigh, Chibi-Usa relented. "Oh okay. It's hard to be mad at all you guys anyway. Being mad at Usagi already takes so much energy."

"Tell me about it," Rei said, placing a solemn and sympathetic hand on the girl's shoulder. "But I asked you over here for something else, too."

There was no ignoring the seriousness in Rei's voice, and instantly she had Chibi-Usa's full attention. She was clear and focused as she stood straight and prepared to hear whatever it was Rei had to tell her. It was in these moments where Rei could most easily see the woman Chibi-Usa would one day become, and she felt a surge of pride that threatened to carry her away.

"I didn't want to bring it up until we could talk privately. Yesterday, you said you felt like you couldn't do anything." Rei's grip on Chibi-Usa's shoulder tightened. "But you CAN. Chibi-Usa-chan. You can do ANYTHING."

Chibi-Usa's eyes widened. Whatever she expected to hear, it wasn't this.

"I know you have to keep some secrets, and that's okay. I just hope you know that if you ever want to talk, you can talk to me."

And like that, the woman Chibi-Usa would become in the future dissolved into the child she was today. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and Rei prepared herself for the meltdown she was sure would follow. Chibi-Usa just smiled, however, and instead gave one firm nod. Her tears never fell, and again Rei felt she might burst with pride.

"You can talk to me too, okay Rei-chan?" Chibi-Usa said, dragging the back of her hand across her eyes. Rei perfectly mirrored Chibi-Usa's nod, causing the little girl to laugh and Rei soon joined in.

"Actually there IS something you can help me with," said Rei, still chuckling as she got to her feet.

Chibi-Usa's peered up at Rei with open eagerness. "Really?!"

Rei nodded again. "I've been feeling kind of lonely lately. Would you be willing to spend the day with me?"

"Sure!" Chibi-Usa cried, and balled her fists together in her excitement. "What do wanna do?"

Rei gestured for Chibi-Usa to follow and walked toward her bedroom to get changed. Miko robes had their place, but this afternoon was likely to not be it. "What's one of your favourite things to do?" Rei asked.

"Drawing!"

"At the park then, maybe?" Rei's suggestion was met with enthusiastic agreement. "You'll have to help teach me though, I'm not very good at drawing."

An evil grin spread across Chibi-Usa's face. "Something you're not good at, Rei-chan?"

Rei made a strangled, alarmed noise and nearly tripped. "Let's keep that our secret, okay?"

"Will you buy me a crepe?" Chibi-Usa asked slyly. She knew a good thing when she'd found it. She just smiled at the sidelong glare Rei shot her.

"You're getting more like Usagi every day," Rei muttered, but she couldn't keep the affection out of her voice.

"That'll be our secret too," Chibi-Usa decided as she slipped her hand into Rei's.