Tales of Younger Earth
By Douglas "Candle Light Author" Helm and "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl

Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi, and all terms, names, etc.
associated with the series are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi and
Kodansha. We make no claim to them and this work of fanfiction should
not be seen as making a claim.

Those characters that are original and the story "Tales of Younger
Earth" are copyrighted (c) 1998 by Douglas Helm & Will Wolfshohl.

This fanfic and hundreds of other Sailor Moon fanfics reside in "Tuxedo"
Will's SM Fanfics Archive at http://log.on.ca/users/helm/anime/index.htm

Send comments to: Douglas "Candle Light Author" Helm (dhelm@log.on.ca)
or "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl (wwolfshohl@logicon.com)


Chapter 17 - A Step Ahead, A Step Back

Sailor Chibi-Earth didn't hear the gasps of horror as she launched
herself from the lamppost directly towards the monster. When she was
within range, she shouted out her attack phrase, "RED ROSE HEART
ATTACK!" The petals shot forward striking the beast but doing nothing
else. As she landed, it started to laugh. Then, it raised its club up
and Chibi-Earth remembered...

                                 ******

"I bet killing Sailor Senshi are as easy as ONE!" The shadow of the
board behind her five year old body loomed large as she stared up at
FishEye. He smiled malevolently at his young victim. "Two!" Bindings
sprang out and pulled `Chibi-Earth' from the ground and snugly against
the board, stretching her, and causing her pain.

She watched helplessly as her sister was tossed backwards. "ONEE-CHAN!!"
she screamed. If her sister who had seemed so strong could not defeat
this monster, then who would save her? She had to do something but what
could she do? She was a Senshi yet not a Senshi. She desperately shouted
her `attack' hoping for the best, "EARTH-MOON POWER!" and pointed her
wand at FishEye. All he did was laugh... laugh...

FishEye sent a glance towards her sister but noted that Chibi-Moon was
still unconscious. "Now where was I... Ah yes... THREE!!!" he shouted.
Chibi-Earth screamed. It felt like burning hands had been plunged into
her chest. Invading her, taking something she desperately tried to cling
to... But it was too late and Chibi-Earth slumped forward as her dream
mirror left her body. And in a wash of pain, the blackness overtook her.

                                 ******

Chibi-Earth was snapped back to reality by the voice of her father
calling her. Blinking, she looked around and found that she was being
held in her father's arms. "Mesume, are you all right?" Tuxedo Kamen
asked.

"Hai," Chibi-Earth said uncertainly, an unconscious blush rushing into
her face then. Wriggling out of her father's arms, she noticed that her
mother and sister were looking at her with concerned expressions as
well. "I'm fine," she stated with some irritation. They were standing on
a rooftop a short distance from the battle. The other Senshi were
continuing their attacks, and it appeared they were trying to hold the
thing off. <Why don't they just destroy it?> Then she realized that the
Senshi were waiting for Sailor Moon. <I can't believe I froze up...> She
would have continued to berate herself for her first performance but
there was still the enemy to take care of. "Let's finish this thing
off."

"Let's go, Chibi-Moon," Sailor Moon instructed, "Chibi-Earth, I want you
to stay here."

"But..." Chibi-Earth began but her mother glared her into silence.

"No buts or your butt will be in a sling. I hope you remember what
happened the last time I told you to stay and you didn't listen because
it'll happen again." With that, Sailor Moon turned and leapt from the
roof, her first-born daughter right behind her.

Chibi-Earth could feel the seething fury that was building within her.
Not at her mother, not at her sister, but at the Lemure. At the creature
that made HER look foolish. At the creature who should have gotten hurt!
Then a movement caught her attention and Chibi-Earth froze again, not
out of fear, but out of what she saw. One of the Amazoness Quartet was
lurking in an alley unobserved by the others. <VesVes?> Chibi-Earth
wondered slightly. She had studied the past but not this period so
intensely. <I'm...> the thought was cut short as a brilliant light
appeared and from that, Pegasus appeared.

"It'll be all over soon, Chibi-Earth," Tuxedo Kamen commented but his
daughter didn't hear him. She was fighting the urge to tremble, fighting
the urge to grab her Time Key and leave this time. Her sister was
supposed to be here, not her. Her sister HAD to be here! She felt like
crying, embarrassed in front of her parents and her sister. But in the
sad realization that her poor judgement might endanger the timeline and
all that would occur as a result.

                                 ******

After the Lemure had been defeated, Chibi-Moon ran back towards her
sister. <Please be okay, Imouto...> Her emotions were mixed. On the one
hand, she was thrilled that her sister was a Sailor Senshi. On the other
hand, she was concerned that Misako, who was older than her, was so
poorly trained as a Senshi. "Are you okay?" Chibi-Moon asked her sister
when she was on the rooftop.

"Hai," Chibi-Earth said distractedly. <What am I going to do? If I mess
up the timeline, then something really bad could happen. If I go home,
I'll be punished.> It was a wonder her parents hadn't sent Sailor Pluto
back to get her already. <Even Dad would be angry and I can't blame him
for that.>

Chibi-Earth was stirred out of her introspection by Chibi-Moon who
hugged her. "Don't worry, Chibi-Earth," Chibi-Moon reassured with a
large smile, "We won." <I'll have to help protect you, Imouto.>

"Yeah, we won all right, and she nearly got creamed in the process,"
Mars snapped tersely, "Just like something a baka odango atama would do
too."

"Hey!" Chibi-Moon and Sailor Moon protested.

"What's the big idea anyway, CHIBI-EARTH?" Mars demanded, "That little
surprise could have let the Lemure get the upper hand."

Chibi-Earth remained silent but Sailor Moon wasn't about to allow Sailor
Mars to berate her daughter. "Mars, you leave her alone. This is
probably her first fight and she's only nine! That's just a little kid.
Sure, Chibi-Moon wasn't as clumsy the first time she made an
appearance..." Sailor Moon was cut off as Chibi-Earth turned and bolted
away. "What did I say?" Sailor Moon asked in confusion.

                                 ******

The suppertime meal at the Tsukino's was uncomfortably silent. Usagi and
Chibi-Usa kept shifting their look to the empty seat that Misako had
usually occupied. Shingo, having sensed his mother's foul mood,
concentrated on eating rather than chancing a misplaced word.

They were halfway through the meal when the front door opened. Usagi and
Chibi-Usa both started to get up but a look from Ikuko stopped them.
Rising herself, she left the dining room and entered the hallway to find
Misako putting away her shoes and putting on her slippers.

"Young lady, where were you?!" Ikuko demanded. <You nearly worried me to
death!>

"Chiba-san's," Misako replied.

"And who exactly gave you permission to go over to his place?" Ikuko
demanded. Misako stood silently, looking curiously at her. "Not to
mention that you're late for supper."

"I'm sorry I'm late for supper, Ikuko-mama. I had something to talk over
with Chiba-san," Misako responded while heading for the dining room.

"You still haven't answered my question, Misako," Ikuko said while
taking Misako by the arm, "Who gave you permission to go over to
Chiba-san's?"

<Kami-sama, what's the old lady so steamed about?> "I thought I just
could," Misako replied honestly. <I should be allowed to go see Dad
whenever I want.> "I didn't think you'd mind."

"WELL I DO!" Ikuko thundered, "I am responsible for you, young lady.
This house has rules and you'll have to live by them just like your
imouto does."

"But Daddy..."

"Your father is not here, Misako, and in the letter he sent me, he gave
Kenji and I complete authority over you," Ikuko explained, "Now I'm
going to ground you..."

"NANI?!?" Misako demanded, "You can't do that!" <You aren't my mom!>

"I most certainly can," Ikuko replied sternly, a slight flush of anger
coming onto her face, "I'm going to ground you for two days. I don't
want any repeat of this behavior, Tsukino Misako. Do you understand?"

"This isn't fair," Misako complained. <Come on, Mom, say something...>

"It isn't fair that you kept this family waiting for you. It isn't fair
that you made all of us worry," Ikuko lectured, "Now I don't want to
hear anymore argument about this. You're grounded for two days and you
can just go upstairs and go to bed right now." Guiding her niece to the
stairs, Ikuko pushed Misako forwards slightly. "Go on," Ikuko directed
sternly as Misako took a few steps and then turned to face Ikuko.

Turning, Misako started stomping up the steps but then halted. After a
few deep breaths, she started walking with controlled calmness the rest
of the way to her room. She would not let them see her cry. She managed
to get inside her room with the door closed before tears came. Silently
crying, she changed into her pajamas and slid under the covers of her
futon.

<What am I going to do?> Misako thought, <I can't go home. I have to
prove that I'm a great Senshi. But I can't stay here. I might do or say
something that would ruin the timeline.> She sniffled slightly pulling
the covers up around her shoulders in a protective gesture. <I should've
stayed at Dad's. I should've argued with him to let me stay.> But he had
said before that it wouldn't work for Misako to stay at his place and
even she, had agreed that she wanted to be near her mother.

She didn't hear the door open or the soft padding of feet into the room.
The first indication that she was not alone was when someone touched her
shoulder gently. Misako didn't move. Instead, she hunched her shoulders.

"Miko-chan," Chibi-Usa said softly, "Please don't feel sad." There was
no response except a quivering breath. She looked back to make sure she
wasn't followed. "You know what?" Her sister's face turned towards her
then, looking at her with an expression of hopelessness. "I can't kill
Lemures either."

"Don't lie, Usagi," Misako snapped and turned away from Chibi-Usa. <I've
seen you do serious damage against Lemures...> "I don't need you to lie
just to try and cheer me up," Misako snarled softly. "I'm supposed to be
in bed, I guess asleep. Why don't you just leave."

"Onee-chan, I'm not lyin' to you. I call Pegasus and Onee-s..."

"Mom!" Misako countered, "Mom NOT Onee-san."

Chibi-Usa gave her a strange look then but sighed. "Sailor Moon kills
the Lemures. You know my attack can't hurt them." <You have to know.> "I
get so scared sometimes..."

<You aren't the Senshi I know, 'Sagi, but you're important to the
timeline,> Misako thought while wiping her eyes. <I can't believe it...
I'll have to protect you.> But how was she going to protect her sister
when she couldn't even kill a real enemy, one that didn't patronize her?

"I love you, Onee-chan," Chibi-Usa stated and hugged Misako.

"I do too," a new voice chimed in. Chibi-Usa gave a yelp of surprise and
turned to see Usagi standing in the doorway. "Chibi-Usa, why don't you
get a couple of books and go down to my room. You know you're not to
speak to Misako; she's supposed to be sleeping." Flushing guiltily,
Chibi-Usa scrambled up, gathered up a few books and a game, and scurried
passed her mother and down the stairs to the second floor.

Misako, for her part, remained silent, eyes shut, wishing that her
mother would just leave her alone. It was bad enough that Ikuko had
punished her but now what did her mother intend?

Usagi closed the door softly before walking over to sit beside her
daughter on Chibi-Usa's futon. Picking up one of the stuffed bunnies
that was nearby, Usagi looked through the light gloom at her daughter.
Usagi opened her mouth and closed it again. What could she say to
Misako? There were so many questions that she wanted to ask; most of
them could never to be answered.

"I love you," Usagi said, deciding to start off cautiously.

<You say you love me but you don't mean it.> "Don't lie to me, Mom.
You're just tryin' to make up for what you said. I'm supposed to be
asleep, no thanks to you, so just go away," Misako said coldly. Usagi
made a squeaking noise in surprised protest before placing a gentle hand
on Misako's shoulder. Misako jerked away and, rolling up, glared at her
mother. "It isn't going to work. I'll just leave." <But where will I
go?> It didn't really matter. She had to protect the timeline.

"Iie," Usagi pleaded, "Please, Miko-chan, don't leave. What did I say?
Please tell me? I know that I said something that upset you... I just
don't know what it is. How am I going to change that if I don't know
what I did wrong?"

Misako saw the sincerity in Usagi's eyes and sighed. <She isn't like Mom
but...> "You said I was a little kid. You said I was clumsier than
Chibi-Moon." Misako looked away from her mother. "I worked really hard.
I thought you'd be proud of me."

"Gomen nasai, Miko-chan, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings," Usagi
replied. They sat in silence for another long moment, then Usagi
thought, <This can't go on. There's something really bothering her.>

"What're you doing?!?" Misako asked as Usagi reached out and drew her
close. The more Misako struggled to get away, the more Usagi held on
tightly. "Let me go!" the girl demanded, "Just let me leave and
everything will be fine." <Please Mom...> Despite her best efforts, she
found herself sitting in Usagi's lap.

After another few minor attempts to escape, Misako subsided and then
started to relax. With her mind whirling, trying to figure out what was
happening, she at first was not aware of Usagi stroking her hair gently.

Then the soft words came, gently caressing. "Misako, please don't go
away. I want you here, I want to help you because I love you, because
you are my daughter." After another moment, Usagi felt the girl's body
start to relax but she did not relax her hug. "When I say I love you
then I'm not lying. Love isn't something to be tossed around. I would
never stop loving you." She decided to ignore the snort that Misako gave
then.

"If YOU'RE my mom, then why did you let Sobo ground me? You should have
stopped her. I went to see Dad, after all." She was finding it harder to
resist Usagi's gentle soothing and Misako had to fight to stay angry, to
keep her anger focused, not let it dissipate.

After kissing the top of her daughter's head, Usagi explained, "Mesume,
what was I suppose to say? I know you were upset at me, and wanted to
talk to your father. This house does have rules though, that everybody
has to live by."

"My sister gets to go over to Dad's whenever she wants," Misako
countered stubbornly, "And she's younger than I am."

"Is that what you think?" Usagi questioned, "That Chibi-Usa gets special
treatment somehow?" There was no uncertainty in the nod that Misako
gave. It was a very clear and very loud, "Yes". <I knew it had to be
sibling rivalry,> Usagi thought. "Misako, you're thinking of the older
Usagi I bet, your onee. The one that gets to do everything that you're
not allowed to do, ne?"

Misako turned her head and looked at her mother with surprise. Usagi
smiled then and said, "You have to remember that Chibi-Usa is only eight
and is your imouto now. She has an earlier curfew than you do. She just
can't decide to go anywhere and leave the house."

"Neither can I so what's the big deal about being ten?!" Misako asked
while she scowled up at her mother, suspecting some type of trick.

"Well Miko-chan, you'll have to ask Mom but I think that she'll say that
if you wanted to go to the park, or to the store, you could. You would
have to tell somebody where you were going though. If Chibi-Usa wants to
go to the store, she has to ask if she can."

"Why do I have to be punished then? I just went to see Dad," Misako
grumbled but Usagi got the feeling that it was more for appearances
rather then any real sense of disgruntlement.

"This is my Mom and Dad's house. They have rules that everybody has to
follow. You broke those rules and you have to face the consequences for
that."

"I bet Chibi-Usa uses Luna-P to get out of trouble," Misako countered,
<Little sneak...>

Usagi started to laugh then. She tried to control it but it was no use.
Misako stared at her as if she had lost her mind. After a moment or so,
Usagi calmed and grinned then, "Mesume, Chibi-Usa does not use Luna-P.
There are a couple of reasons she doesn't. Firstly, I'm bound to find
out about it. Sooner or later, I'd hear about whatever stunt she pulled.
That means that she would face punishment for her bad behavior.
Secondly, Chibi-Usa would be punished for using Luna-P on my parents
like that."

<I guess I never thought about that,> Misako thought. She felt herself
blushing then. "I guess I was being pretty baka, ne Mom?"

"Iie, you've only been in the past a week. You have to get used to how
things work around here." Hugging her daughter tightly, Usagi said,
"Please Misako, don't go. I don't know where you would go but running
away from your problems never solved anything. I know that from
experience. I would miss you, so would Chibi-Usa."

"Mom, please stay with me?" Misako asked softly. Usagi's response was to
retrieve a light blanket from Misako's futon and wrap it around her.
Closing her eyes, Misako rested her head against Usagi's shoulder. She
could feel tears building behind her eyelids but she didn't care. Before
she had been trapped between a rock and a hard place, and that hard
place had just gotten a little softer.

                                 ******

The late Monday afternoon sun filtered into Usagi's room. A gentle
breeze stirred the curtains and caused a pinwheel that one of Usagi's
stuffed bunnies was holding to turn. This sent out colored light lancing
down towards where the girls were seated around the low table doing
homework.

"We have a Senshi meeting tomorrow," Usagi observed. For the fifth time,
Misako only grunted in response without raising her head. <Kami-sama,
she takes homework more seriously than I do...> Usagi's only relief on
that front was that Misako was not like Ami.

"Onee-chan?" Chibi-Usa question.

"Nani?!" Misako growled out, "Can't you just do your homework and leave
me alone?" <Baka little spore...>

"But Onee-chan... I still can't do this question. It's too hard,"
Chibi-Usa whined slightly and gave her sister a pleading look. "Please
show me how to do it again."

Misako drew in a breath, held it for a count of ten, and then let it out
slowly. <And they say this is supposed to make you feel better?> It
didn't work. At least, Misako didn't think it worked. She was still
irritated at being interrupted. "What problem is it, IMOUTO?"

"That one," Chibi-Usa said while indicating the problem.

"You mean you spent the last fifteen minutes working on that?!" Misako
asked horrified, "I helped you three times with it and you still can't
get it?" Misako could feel her irritation growing. "I suppose you want
me to do it all for you?!"

"Miko-chan," Usagi interjected softly, "You have to explain things to
Chibi-Usa in terms she understands. You are older than her and you
understand it better but that doesn't mean Chibi-Usa understands it."

"Gomen, 'Sagi," Misako said to Chibi-Usa while blushing slightly, "It's
just I'm trying to write and every time you ask me something, I lose my
place."

"Oh," Chibi-Usa replied, "I guess I can just try it on my own. I didn't
mean to make you mad, Onee-chan."

Chibi-Usa's voice was sounding rather dejected. <If she's trying to make
me feel guilty... she's doing a good job.> When her "aunt" had first
suggested this, Misako had been opposed. More because she had to remain
with Chibi-Usa until the little girl had done most of her homework. It
was one of Misako's responsibilities to ensure that Chibi-Use did her
homework. Now though, it wasn't so bad. Chibi-Usa was still there though
and that irritated her. On the upside, her mother was there as well and
that was comforting.

"It's okay, 'Sagi. I can help you... Now let's see what you did."
Sliding over to sit beside her sister, Misako started studying the
paper, trying to figure out where her sister went astray yet again.
"'Sagi, where are you getting that five from?" When Chibi-Usa indicated
the place, Misako felt like yelling once again. However, this time, she
clamped down on her annoyance. In a calm and controlled manner, she
said, "Chibi-Usa-chan, you have to learn to write neater. You're taking
that five from the other question. It has nothing to do with the one
you're working on."

"Nani?! It's not?" Chibi-Usa questioned and flushed. "Arigato,
Onee-chan." Then, she glared at Usagi and saw a smirk on her face. "I
bet you wouldn't have noticed that, Usagi-oneesan."

"I would too!" Usagi protested then shook her head and giggled, "Well,
maybe not. It doesn't matter anyway. I'm here to help Misako. She is
here to help you and you are here to do your homework without
complaint." That was the beginning of a good-natured argument on just
who had the better study habits. Misako shrugged and turned back to her
own homework, trying to ignore the noise of the two Usagis.

                                 ******

Rei scowled, the skin on her forehead rippling into disapproving ridges.
Her annoyance was directed towards Usagi who was looking defiant. "You
should have told us, Usagi," Rei stated again, "That might have been the
first and last appearance of Chibi-Earth in the past."

"Rei-chan, I promised Misako I wouldn't tell her secret. I always keep
my promises," Usagi countered and pointedly allowed her eyes to wonder
away from Rei's direction. They were sitting in one of the secluded
groves of the Hikawa Shrine grounds. A small pool dominated the area.
Its waters placid with the occasional ripple as the wind played across
it.

"Yeah, you keep your promises, unless they have to do with being on
time," Rei remarked.

"Hey... I told you why I was late," Usagi said tersely, "I don't know
why you're carrying such a grudge."

"Yeah Rei-chan," Minako piped in, "Loosen up a little bit. I bet if you
had to come over to any of our houses, Hino-ojiisan would find something
for you to do." She smiled as Rei gave her a dark look. "What is really
important is that Misako is a Senshi now," she remarked while turning to
the young girl who was sitting beside Usagi an uncomfortable expression
on her face. "Come on, Miko-chan, transform for us."

"I don't know..." Misako said reluctantly. She looked towards Usagi who
smiled. "Do I have to?"

Giving Misako a quick hug, Usagi responded, "Iie, if you don't want to.
But this is what you always wanted, to be a Senshi. I think if you
satisfy everybody's curiosity, then they'll be a lot happier about it.
Besides," Usagi giggled, "your `Commander' gave you an order."

"Please Onee-chan," Chibi-Usa asked, "I want to see you change." Getting
up from her position on the other side of Usagi, she walked around and
hugged Misako. "I think it'd be really neat. Then we can transform
together." Misako gave her sister a curious look but didn't receive any
further explanation.

"Hai," Misako conceded and, rising up, walked a little ways away from
the others so all could see. As she turned to face them, she noticed
that, as she expected, Ami had shifted into Sailor Mercury and was
typing away at her computer while her blue VR visor covered her eyes,
tiny specs of light flashing across it. Artemis and Luna were both
watching intently as Misako stood relaxed.

<They didn't think I was for real.> She closed her eyes, letting herself
relax. Trying to imagine that she was just getting ready for just
another Senshi practice. Taking a deep breath, she called out her
transformation phrase in a clear strong voice, "EARTH PRISM POWER,
MAKE-UP!" It took but an instant and she was enveloped by the brilliance
of the magical light. She left off her speech; she didn't want to say
it, at least, not at that moment. Somehow, she had expected herself to
be able to kill it. Her failure in that stung her deeply and her speech
would have been a reminder of that failure.

Chibi-Usa had other ideas. "What about that cool speech?!" she demanded
as Chibi-Earth stood before them, silent and blushing slightly. "Say
your speech, please Onee-chan." Disappointment showed plainly on her
face as Chibi-Earth shook her head.

"This is impossible!" Luna thundered. "Chibi-Earth, may I see your
transformation broach?" she asked. Chibi-Earth nodded and detransformed.
Carefully, she removed the broach from its position before kneeling and
holding it out towards the black cat.

<I guess this can't hurt,> Misako thought to herself as Luna and Artemis
examined the broach, <They would have known where to find it if they
really wanted to know about my broach and I suppose they should know
about it so I can be a Senshi.> That was a concept she was having
trouble grasping. It was much easier to simply say nothing but in her
silence, she could imply something that would be even more dangerous.

"Luna, what do you think of the broach?" Mercury asked as she examined
the datum that was being displayed by her computer.

"Where did you get it?" Luna questioned. Misako looked away and did not
answer. "I don't remember anything like this in the Silver Millennium,
ne Artemis?" Artemis nodded his agreement but he was definitely
distracted by something. "I know I don't have anything like that. I know
I produced Usagi's broach, but I didn't forge it."

"Gomen, I can't say anything," Misako responded, "This has to do with
the future." She sent a pleading look towards Luna. "Please Luna,
understand."

"Certainly Miko-chan," Luna responded, "I wouldn't want you to get into
trouble because you let something slip and if you can't talk about it,
then we should be happy that you're a Sailor Senshi and leave it at
that." She noticed then that Artemis was concentrating. His face was
remote, closed in the effort that he was putting forth. "What is it?"
The others had become aware of Artemis' activities and the whispered
conversation that had been taking place died away as they watched him.

It was a long time before Artemis shook himself slightly and remarked,
"What I have discovered might damage the timeline. I'm not going to say
anything until after I have a private talk with Misako." Turning, he
walked over to Usagi and Chibi-Usa. "May I try something?"

"Hai," Usagi said, a worried tone in her voice. She cast a concerned
look towards Misako. Her daughter was looking very nervous.

Artemis allowed himself to relax, extending his senses beyond those of
human understanding. Searching out something he had sensed. Something
deeper than a simple aura. Something he did not understand. He quickly
found what he had searched for within Usagi; it wasn't hard to miss.
Turning his senses to Chibi-Usa, he located it again, the same yet
different. It both worried and excited him.

"Artemis, are you done? I gotta go to the bathroom," Chibi-Usa said. For
some inexplicable reason, Misako suddenly burst into laughter at that
pronouncement.

                                 ******

Misako could feel the warmth of her mother as she hugged her. The
meeting with the Senshi had produced more questions than answers. Misako
looked at up her mother and asked, "Is Rei right? Am I not a real Senshi
'cause a Sailor Earth didn't exist in the Silver Millennium?" She
lowered her head and took the edge of her short yellow pajama bottoms in
between her fingers. <It's like she knows I'm going to ruin Sakuya's
wedding and she's getting her revenge.> That was silly to assume that
but the thought had occurred to her while she was listening to the
Senshi squabble. <They're so different in the future. All serious and
stuff... They joke around sometimes but NOT during Senshi practice.>

Usagi took a moment or so to collect her thoughts before speaking.
Brushing away a few stray hairs from Misako's face, she lifted the young
girl's chin so she could see those blue eyes. "Sweetheart, don't cry."
Usagi gently brushed Misako's cheek then and said, "Rei can say some
cruel things sometimes; I think she was just angry with me and took it
out on you because that's what she was angry about." Pausing for a
moment, Usagi added, "Rei was right, though. That surprise could have
gotten someone hurt."

Misako blushed, feeling rebuked. "I just wanted it to be special." <I
wanted to be special, just once.>

"Miko-chan, I'm to blame as much as you are. I could have told Rei and
the others." Misako was silent, looking rather depressed. Hugging her
daughter then, Usagi continued, "I think you're a real Sailor Senshi and
even if you weren't, I would still be proud of you and love you."

"You would?!?" Misako asked. She regretted the question as soon as it
had been asked but her mother's response shocked her into asking it.

"Of course," Usagi answered, "Why wouldn't I be?"

<Think Misako, tell her something...> It had to be something that was
believable yet would deflect her mother away from discussing the future.
<Why did I ask that question?> "Well you wouldn't let me come and help
you fight." <What a lame excuse. She'll never buy that.>

Usagi looked towards her daughter for a long time, a worried expression
on her face. <What are you hiding, Misako? I'm proud of both my girls
for what they can do. I wish I could help.> She hated seeing her
daughters quarrelling. She and Shingo did occasionally fight but Usagi
was starting to enjoy having Shingo around on occasion and he was a
fairly decent guy. If he would risk his image to befriend a five year
old, even if it was to gain Mika's respect, then Shingo couldn't be all
bad.

Cupping Misako's head in her hands, Usagi said, "I want you to listen to
me, Misako, very carefully. I might get angry with you; I might have to
punish you sometimes but I'll ALWAYS love you." Giving her daughter a
hug and a kiss, Usagi added, "NOW, it's time for you to go to bed. I
want you to think about what I said."

Returning the hug and kiss, Misako bid her mother goodnight and walked
to her room. Softly opening the door, she entered and closed it again.
As she waited for her eyes to adjust to the gloom, she could hear the
steady breathing of her sister and the smaller, softer sound of Diana
moving quietly about near the windowsill.

Softly padding over to her futon, Misako removed her slippers and then
slipped beneath the sheets and light covers. She was lying on her side,
eyes closed, thinking about what had occurred during the Senshi meeting
when she heard a rustle behind her. Turning over to her back, she turned
to her left and looked at her sister who was looking back at her.

"This is why you can't get up in the morning, Chibi-Usa," Misako softly
admonished, "You keep staying awake until I come to bed. If you don't
stop that, I'm going to tell Mom."

"Don't do that, please Onee-chan. I wouldn't tattle on you," Chibi-Usa
said, her eyes shimmered slightly and for the first time, Misako saw the
hurt that lay within. "Why didn't you tell me? Didn't you trust me?"
Silence was no defense because Chibi-Usa persisted. "You wanted to be a
Senshi so badly when you were five. I thought you'd be really excited
about being a Senshi. You should've told me first." <I know why you
didn't tell me...> Chibi-Usa thought sadly, <I hate you in the future.>

Misako turned her head to stare up at the ceiling. <I don't know why I
did that. I know you care about me being a Senshi.> Sighing slightly,
Misako said, "I don't think you were meant to know. Remember I wasn't
supposed to be here when you were." Something occurred to Misako then
and she asked, "Chibi... Imouto..." <I'll never get used to that.>
"Imouto, when you took history lessons, did you ever see anything
mentioned about Chibi-Moon?"

Chibi-Usa was about to answer when the door opened, "Girls," Usagi said
with slight disapproval, "Both of you are supposed to be asleep, not
talking." Usagi had to resist the urge to smile. <I remember doing that
with Naru at sleepovers. Boy, did I ever drive Mom up the wall
sometimes.>

"Gomen, Mom," Misako said softly and turning away from Chibi-Usa closed
her eyes.

Chibi-Usa on the other hand had no compunction about stating her view on
the matter. "Aw come on, Usagi-oneesan..." the little girl trailed off
and drew her covers up around her as Usagi entered the room and walked
towards her.

"As you're onee," Misako snorted at this but Usagi ignored it, "I'm
telling you to go to sleep. The alternative is that I ensure you two
won't bother each other." Satisfied that Chibi-Usa's grumbling was a
sign of acceptance, Usagi walked back to the door and said, "Goodnight
girls."

                                 ******

As dawn crested over the Tokyo skyline, Misako began to stir. She
grimaced and, without any regard for gentleness, grabbed and tossed
Chibi-Usa's arm off of her. The little girl's arm landed on the floor
with a thump. "Hmmm..." Chibi-Usa replied before rolling onto her back.

Getting up, Misako left the room to prepare for the day. After ten
minutes, she returned and proceeded to dress for school. By the time she
was done, Diana had stirred from her slumber. Rising and stretching, the
gray kitten walked over to where Misako was sitting on a low stool while
putting on her socks.

"Princess," Diana began softly. Misako raised her head to look curiously
at Diana. "I know you're mad at Small Lady for some reason. I just don't
know why you're mad at me." Her tone made Misako think Diana was pouting
but there was no physical indication that the kitten was actually
pouting. "I wanna be your friend too."

For the Nth time since she arrived, Misako reminded herself that Diana
was only a kitten. <I guess she really wants to be my friend.> She
wished that Luna and Artemis would have another daughter. It was a
fleeting wish though; she knew that would never be the case. She had
asked Luna about the possibility of them having another kitten. The
explanation why there could be only one Lunar Cat per couple was fairly
complicated and Misako had soon forgotten most of the details.

"I guess I've been pretty hard on you, Diana," Misako said softly as she
scooped up the gray kitten. As she did this, she cast a nervous glance
towards her still sleeping sister. "You just never wanted to be around
me. It was always 'Sagi." Diana didn't have any response to this and
simply snuggled into Misako's lap enjoying for once the gentle attention
that the young girl was heaping upon her. It was certainly different
from her sister's.

It was another half-hour before Chibi-Usa stirred. She sat up, bleary
eyed and yawned expansively. "Well?" Misako asked as her sister turned
to look in her direction. Chibi-Usa gave her a confused look. "Did you
see any mention of Chibi-Moon in your history texts?"

"Nani?" Chibi-Usa squeaked. Then she remembered the conversation of the
night before. "I dunno, Miko-chan," Chibi-Usa said as she got to her
feet, "It's too early to think." With that, she left the room headed for
the bathroom. Misako gave a sigh of exasperation but waited patiently
for her sister to return. When the little girl did, Misako repeated her
question. "Iie," Chibi-Usa answered grumpily, "History's boring. I only
do enough to get me by and in good with Ikuko-mama and Onee-san."

"Mom!" Misako stated firmly, "She is our mother." Chibi-Usa shrugged
before starting to dress. Gently sitting Diana down, Misako walked over
to Chibi-Usa and asked, "Why do you keep calling me `Onee-chan'? I'm
really your imouto. You seemed to make a big deal about that in the
past." <Both times... my past and when I came back to the past.>

Straightening her school fuku's bow, Chibi-Usa turned to face her sister
and explained as best she could, "Miko-chan, you are my sister." <The
sister I wished for.> "That's all that matters to me. I thought I was
the imouto when I first saw you were older than I was but it doesn't
matter. You're okay and I love you."

A silence came over the room for a long time before Misako asked,
slowly, sounding rather reluctant, "Do you want a hug?" To her surprise
and secret delight, Chibi-Usa did and they hugged each other. <I guess I
should tell you.> Pulling away from the hug, Misako said, "'Sagi, you
wanted to know why I didn't tell you that I was Chibi-Earth..."
Chibi-Usa nodded. "I was really supposed to be here when you weren't. I
was supposed to come after you had came home. You wouldn't've, iie
shouldn't've, known about Chibi-Earth until when I became her in the
future."

"Puu must've sent you back here for a reason," Chibi-Usa stated with
confidence. "Puu doesn't make mistakes. If she sent you back here, then
it was for a reason and I'm glad." Hugging her sister again, she looked
up slightly to meet her sister's surprised eyes and explained, "When you
went away, I was really sad and worried that you'd get hurt."

Breaking free of the hug, and receiving a scowl of displeasure from
Chibi-Usa, Misako retrieved her broach and walked back to her sister.
"'Sagi, there's a reason I didn't want you to touch this..."

"I know," Chibi-Usa said sadly, "I took Usagi's broach and everything
went all wrong."

"'Sagi, this is more important then just stealing the broach. You could
be hurt." Chibi-Usa raised her head to look at Misako with concern. "You
have to promise, you AND Diana, that you won't say anything to anybody
else. Especially Artemis and Luna."

"I promise, Princess," Diana replied as she moved to stand beside
Chibi-Usa who bent and lifted her up.

"I promise too," Chibi-Usa responded.

<Is this right?> Misako wondered but she was feeling guilty for having
kept her secret from her sister. She was also feeling guilty that she
hadn't explained why she didn't want Chibi-Usa not to touch her broach.
"If you try to transform with this broach, then you could stop being a
Senshi. You could die... sorta."

"Die?!?" Chibi-Usa squeaked, her eyes enlarging to gigantic proportions
as she stared towards her sister.

"I don't know how much to tell and I don't really understand it all,"
Misako explained as she walked over to her futon and sat down. "All I
know is that if you tried to transform with this broach, you could stop
being a Senshi."

Chibi-Usa walked over to sit beside Misako and wrapping an arm around
her said, "But why would I want to transform with that broach?" Misako
remained silent, remembering the words that had rushed into her head,
had overpowered her.

<I don't want you to be hurt, 'Sagi,> Misako thought to herself. "You
might not have a choice," Misako said softly.

"Hai, I promise that I won't ever touch it then," Chibi-Usa stated with
unusual seriousness, "It's your broach, Miko-chan. I don't want you to
worry that I'll take it from you." She smiled at her sister and added,
"'Sides, we're a great Senshi team and I bet we'll be able to beat
anybody."

"I should go get breakfast, 'Sagi," Misako said as she suddenly stood.

She had crossed to the door before Chibi-Usa spoke, "Onee-chan, can I
come with you?"

"Hai," Misako chirped after a short pause.

Grinning broadly, Chibi-Usa scrambled up and running over to her sister
she said, "Arigato Peanut!"

"Imouto, you ever call me that again and I'll hurt you," Misako warned.

"Okay Peanut," Chibi-Usa responded with a grin.

The howls that followed roused the rest of the Tsukino house. As Usagi
scrambled from her bed, she briefly wondered if she should phone Mamoru
so he could be up with his daughters as well.

                                 ******

The phone rang that Thursday afternoon. Ikuko grimaced and then wiped
her hands in exasperation. "Miko-chan, you keep chopping those
vegetables like I showed you and be careful."

"Hai, Ikuko-mama," Misako responded. <This isn't as much fun as I
thought.>

"Chibi-Usa," Ikuko said with a little more sternness, "I don't want you
bothering your sister. You have your own job to do." It had taken five
minutes to convince Chibi-Usa that Ikuko was not going to let her handle
the large knives. It had also been made clear that she was to let Misako
alone. Ikuko trusted that her wishes would be followed until she left
the room. As she left the kitchen to answer the phone, Ikuko muttered,
"It can't be for Usagi. She always seems to know when it is."

The kitchen fell silent except for the noise of supper preparations.
After a moment though, Misako heard Chibi-Usa muttering something.
Stopping her chopping for a moment, she turned to Chibi-Usa and asked,
"What did you say, 'Sagi?"

Chibi-Usa who was up to her elbows in cold water and carrots looked
towards the entranceway before saying, "I hope that isn't Momo-chan's
mommy."

"Why?" Misako questioned, "Is she mean or somethin'?" She had only met
Momoko briefly during her trip to the past and had never met Momoko's
mother.

"I don't want to spend anytime in the corner... or lose dessert
privileges either," Chibi-Usa rambled. Misako's curiosity rose
significantly at that particular statement but any further discussion
was cut off by Ikuko entering the kitchen. <I wonder who it was?>
Chibi-Usa thought, <Ikuko-mama hasn't said anything... yet.>

Misako was wondering the same thing. After working her way through the
pile of vegetables, she turned to Ikuko and announced, "Ikuko-mama, I'm
done." She just hoped she wouldn't be forced to eat any carrots.

Ikuko looked over Misako's work and nodded, "That was very good
Miko-chan, you kept the pieces small just like I showed you." Misako
beamed proudly and shot a glance towards her sister but Chibi-Usa was
looking uncomfortable. "Will you do something for me?"

"Hai Ikuko-mama," Misako chirped brightly. <I hope it's something only I
can do.>

"Sugoi," Ikuko responded, "Take your imouto up to your room and have her
give you all of the balloons she has."

"Nani?" Misako questioned while turning her gaze onto Chibi-Usa.

"I don't have any balloons, Ikuko-mama," Chibi-Usa said innocently.

"Chibi-Usa-chan, I just got off the phone with Momoko's mother. I know
what you two were planning. Now head upstairs with your onee and give
her every balloon you have. I will not have you waterbombing people."

Misako resisted the urge to giggle. <I 'member doing that. Me, Yumeko,
and Yuki waterbombed Kimeko. Boy did I ever get yelled at... and
grounded.> It had been a good thing she and Yuki had managed to talk
Yumeko out of the mud bomb idea. <I wish Ikuko-mama had grounded me; I
wonder why Mom and Dad say that being grounded earns you an earlier
bedtime too but Ikuko-mama doesn't?> While Misako was remembering that
incident, Chibi-Usa was still arguing her case.

"But Ikuko-mama, I didn't use them. What if I promise not to use them?"
Chibi-Usa questioned, "Or me and Misako can play with them 'cause it's
hot?"

"Chibi-Usa, I said I wanted those balloons and I won't hear any more
argument about it. Now take Misako up to your room and give them to her.
You can stay there until supper time. I'll think about whether you'll
lose dessert tonight for lying to me."

<I'd better,> Chibi-Usa thought as she hopped from the step-stool, <Or
Usagi will be extra mad that I lied.> Misako was having similar thoughts
as she followed her "imouto" up the stairs.

                                 ******

As time passed, Misako sank back into the routine of living in the past
with her "aunt" and "uncle". She still disagreed with Ikuko and Kenji
being able to punish her but, after she found that her father supported
the idea, Misako kept her complaint to herself. However, she found that
her sister was in total agreement with her.

With more reluctance, Misako became Chibi-Usa's "onee". It was what the
Tsukino's expected and it did seem to come with perks that her sister in
the future enjoyed: A later bedtime, even if it was by half an hour
only. A little authority over her sister and to her delight, chores that
were suitable for a preteen of her years.

There was one thing that thoroughly confused Misako and she was at a
loss as to what to do about it. The confusion was over her mother's
approval of showing open signs of affection. Misako found that Usagi
almost expected them and seemed to be rather concerned when Misako
tensed the first few times that Usagi went to hug her. It was with
considerable wariness that she also accepted this change in her mother.

Senshi practices in the past seemed like a holiday to Misako. She was in
excellent physical condition and she soon found out that Chibi-Usa could
run faster than she could and not even klutz out. Misako took, and felt
guilty about, satisfaction in knowing that her sister was headed
straight for klutz-dom that she was seeing in her fifteen year old
mother.

It thoroughly amazed Misako, however, to see how poorly organized the
Senshi of the past were. They spent as much time practicing as griping
or talking about boys and food, both of which were constant themes among
the girls. Even Chibi-Usa had opinions on boys which struck Misako as
funny considering that most of what Chibi-Usa stated was her own
perceptions rather than reality.

Misako also gained insight into not commenting on the lack of motivation
that she saw in the Senshi. Everyone except the Lunar Cats had shown
disapproval and they had chased Misako all the way to Mamoru's where she
hid for protection until Usagi promised that she wouldn't be harmed.

                                 ******

The late August sun shone brightly down upon Tokyo. It seemed to be
floating on a carpet of heavy dark clouds that had passed over the city
without releasing their watery cargo. Chibi-Usa watched her sister with
some concern. Misako was staring gloomily at a piece of blank paper
before her.

"What's the matter, Onee-chan?" Chibi-Usa asked when Usagi had left the
room to use the bathroom.

"I gotta draw something for art class," Misako replied grumpily, "I hate
drawing. I'm no good at it." <I just wish Mom liked my drawings.>

"I like your pictures," Chibi-Usa said, hoping that it would pull her
sister out of her foul mood.

"Don't patronize me," Misako responded tersely. She had learned the word
from Sakuya. Chibi-Usa blinked and opened her mouth. Misako anticipating
the question said, "I'm just telling you not to brown-nose. Everybody
knows you're the better drawer, Usagi. I'll do this on my own." <I hate
drawing!> It wasn't just that her sister was good but also because of
her mother's favoritism as well.

"I'll help, Onee-chan," Chibi-Usa softly offered. <Please...>

"Iie, you got that geography to take care of and then the history,"
Misako countered and, bending her head, stopped the conversation from
going any further. <I hate drawing!> she thought as she fumed, <Why do
they have to have that baka art anyway?!>

                                 ******

Misako stared blankly at the note attached to her picture. <A `C'...>
She didn't know whether she should be overjoyed that she had actually
passed the art assignment or irritated at such a low grade. Sighing a
little, Misako folded the picture once again and tucked it into her
bookbag. <I guess it's time to go do my homework,> she thought as she
left the bedroom she shared with her sister and headed for her mother's
bedroom.

As she approached the door to Usagi's room, she could hear her mother
and sister talking about something. <Should I wait?> The last time she
had overheard her sister and mother talking in a similar situation, she
had got a nasty surprise. The hesitation she was feeling vanished as
Misako heard her name being spoken; straightening and preparing for the
worst, Misako entered the bedroom before closing the door.

Luna was dozing at the foot of Usagi's bed while Chibi-Usa and Usagi
were seated around the low table. "Onee-chan," Chibi-Usa remarked when
she saw her sister, "What took ya so long?" <I hope my picture cheers
you up. Usagi-oneesan thinks it will.>

"Nothin' really," Misako said as she moved to sit next to her sister,
"So what are you doing today?" <Please don't ask... Please don't ask
about the picture, Mom.>

"Misako," Usagi said, "How was art class? I know you had a picture to
hand in today and I wanted to see it."

Resisting the urge to fidget, Misako glanced at the table top and
noticed another picture sitting just ahead of Usagi's books. "What's
that?" she asked. Usagi gave her a confused expression so Misako added,
"You know, that picture?"

After picking up the picture, Usagi gave a slightly sheepish grin and
said, "This is a picture Chibi-Usa was showing me." Handing the picture
back over to Chibi-Usa, she continued, "That was a very good picture,
Chibi-Usa-chan. Now Miko-chan, let's see the picture you drew."

"It isn't very good, Mom," Misako commented, "It don't really matter."
She sat looking at the table glumly. <Forget about it. You don't ever
know what I draw.>

"Miko-chan, I would really like to see that picture," Usagi stated again
and held out her hand expectantly.

"I only got a `C' on it," Misako said in a last desperate attempt to put
off showing her mother her picture.

"I don't care if you failed the art assignment. You drew a picture and I
want to see it!" Usagi said with irritation, "Now hand over the
picture." Muttering to herself, Misako dug into her bookbag and withdrew
the hated picture. She tossed it onto the table with distaste. Ignoring
her daughter's reluctance, Usagi picked the folded paper up and
carefully unfolded it.

While her mother was looking at Misako's picture, Chibi-Usa said,
"Onee-chan, I made this for you." She then handed the picture that Usagi
had been looking at over to Misako. "I hope you like it." Her eyes
looked hopefully towards Misako who was acting strangely.

"For me?" Misako asked, and as Chibi-Usa nodded, some of the tension she
had been feeling slipped away. <'Sagi's made pictures for me before.>
They usually came after she and Chibi-Usa had had a fight. <This looks
like...> "It's you and me?" she questioned her sister who grinned
broadly and nodded.

"We're gonna make a great team, Onee-chan," Chibi-Usa replied, "You made
lotsa pictures of Senshi, mostly of me, so I thought I'd do one of you."

Misako looked down at the picture again, <Not bad... but it isn't as
good as 'Sagi's other stuff.> The almost amateurish style of drawing
surprised Misako. She was used to seeing very good quality work from her
sister. She glanced over to Chibi-Usa again and noticed that the little
girl was waiting expectantly for her to say something more while looking
hopefully at Misako.

"I wanted to give you that. You seemed really mad that you had to draw a
picture. Maybe we could draw a couple together," Chibi-Usa rambled
trying to hide her nervousness.

Before Misako could respond, Usagi finally spoke after looking at
Misako's picture in silence. "You drew me and Mamoru," Usagi stated.
Misako's shocked expression was troubling to Usagi. <I wish Misako would
stop doing that. You'd think I completely ignore her in the future or
something.> "It's very pretty." Getting up, Usagi walked over to her
desk and retrieved a binder, "I'll put it in there with Chibi-Usa's."

"Iie!" Misako and Chibi-Usa both said at the same time. They looked at
each other curiously and so did Usagi for that matter.

"I want it," Chibi-Usa piped up first, "If it's of you and Mamoru, then
I want to keep it."

<Rats!> Misako thought, <I wanted to give that to Daddy. Usagi might
deserve it but Mommy doesn't and Usagi is Mommy.> Usagi shrugged and
brought the picture back over to the table and handed it to Chibi-Usa
who grinned.

"That's really good, Onee-chan," Chibi-Usa said. Sliding over to sit
beside Misako, she placed the picture next to the one she had just given
her sister and looked at both of them, "You're pretty good." <A lot
better than before.>

Much to Misako's surprise, Chibi-Usa was right. Chibi-Usa's picture was
only slightly better than hers was. Turning to Usagi, she said, "You
really like it, Mom? You could tell what I drew?"

Usagi nodded. <I'd know Mamo-chan anyplace.> Usagi sighed a little
wistfully, <One thing about having Misako here is that I get more time
with Mamo-chan.> Walking around to kneel between her daughters, Usagi
hugged each one with an arm. "Now you two, let's start our homework or
Mom will string us all up by the ears."

Giggling, Misako hugged her mother back and for the first time, felt
like she was being treated as her sister's equal rather than as second
best.

                                 ******

The last Saturday in August was slightly overcast. After having
breakfast and washing the dishes, Misako went to have a bath. As her
sister followed her into the bathroom, Misako scowled and said, "You
don't need to take a bath until tonight, 'Sagi. I need to wash my hair
before I go to the gymnastics meet so I might as well get myself all
clean."

"But if you take a bath now, Onee-chan, then I'll have to have one all
by myself," Chibi-Usa whined slightly.

<Kami-sama.> "You're eight years old!" Misako shouted, "You can't tell
me that you need somebody watching you when you take a bath." She sighed
then at Chibi-Usa's sad expression. "Gomen 'Sagi, I'm sorry I yelled at
you." <I've been worrying about why Sailor Pluto sent me here and school
and not talking about the future and just...> She had been looking
forward to this bath to relax her and there was just no way she'd be
able to do that with her little sister around. "You're eight. Why can't
you take a bath by yourself? Or get Usagi-san to take it with you?"
Misako asked in a calmer tone. <I won't call her Onee-san.> She did
though and that irritated her.

"I guess so," Chibi-Usa said dejectedly as she headed for the door.
Stopping, she turned back, her eyes starting to cloud over with tears.
"Miko-chan, what did I do wrong? Sometimes, you like me and other times,
you don't want me around." She sniffled a little and wiped her eyes.
"I'm tryin' to be a good imouto but I just seem to make you mad."

<Aw man!> Misako thought, <Just what I need... Ikuko-mama or Mom'll
probably rag on me.> Misako sighed. It was her first meet in the past
and she wanted to do well. She looked towards a rather miserable looking
Chibi-Usa and grimaced. "Look, I want to take a bath now by myself. I
usually shower after the meet... I can wait until I get home and take a
bath then and you can have yours then too, 'Sagi... if Ikuko-mama says
it's okay."

Chibi-Usa brightened slightly and smiled. "You promise, Onee-chan?" As
Misako nodded, Chibi-Usa's smiled grew even larger. "Arigato." Skipping
over, she hugged Misako and then skipped out of the room, humming to
herself.

<I think I just got snookered,> Misako thought, but after a moment,
shrugged and started to undress.

                                 ******

Misako looked towards the final standings board and felt a pang of
disappointment rise within her. <Well at least I placed sixth in the
competition for my division... I'm in the top fifteen overall for
Tokyo.>

She let her eyes travel across the names seeking out her team's top
ranked gymnast. <Kyoku-sempai placed forth in her division! She's higher
in the overall standings too.> Misako was surprised to see that Kyoku
had scored so low. The girl was definitely the best member on their
school team.

                                 ******

Misako grimaced slightly as the hairbrush she was using got caught in a
knot. She struggled with the brush for a moment but only managed to
entangle her hair even more. Muttering darkly, Misako dropped her hands,
leaving the brush hanging from her hair. <I'll have to get dressed and
then go find Mom.> This was certainly not the way she had wanted to end
her first gymnastics meet in the past, especially considering how well
it had gone.

"Need some help, Tsukino-san?" a voice asked as a person sat down beside
her. Misako gave a start of surprise before turning to look at the new
comer. Almost four foot four inches, the girl seemed massive next to
Misako. Her shoulder length red hair bounced slightly as she giggled.
Pale green eyes sparkled with amusement.

Rising quickly, Misako bowed and said, "Konnichiwa Kyoku-sempai." Her
heart sped up a bit; here was a girl that Misako longed to be. Shiruku
Kyoku was in sixth grade and the top-ranked member of the Juuban
Elementary School Gymnastics Team. To Misako, Kyoku was the best,
something to aspire to. Her body was thin and elegant and in some ways,
made Misako feel like she was clumsy.

"I'm sorry I startled you, Tsukino-san. Would you like some help?" At
Misako's nod, Kyoku indicated that Misako should sit back down. "Can I
ask you something?"

Misako started to nod, having forgotten about the hairbrush. "Ouch!" She
grimaced slightly and chided herself for being so forgetful. "Hai
Sempai. Please call me Misako-chan."

"Hai Misako-chan. What's with you checking out your ankle every time you
do a vault?"

Misako flushed slightly. "I try not to do that, Sempai. It's just that I
almost broke my ankle once when I was vaulting. I guess I keeping
wanting to make sure I haven't done it again."

Kyoku giggled and then said, "Gomen, that must have been scary." <Baka
brush!> "Hang on a sec', this might hurt." Before Misako could even
tense, Kyoku had gripped the offending hair in one hand the brush in
the other and pulled. Much to both girls' relief, it didn't hurt as much
as expected.

"You really got that tangled, Misako-chan," Kyoku commented as she
handed the brush back to Misako.

"Arigato, Sempai," Misako said and started to carefully brush out the
rest of her hair. She was surprised when Kyoku adjusted her sitting
position. It appeared as if she was settling in for a long conversation.

"Misako-chan, how long have you been in gymnastics?"

"Hmmm... I guess about two years," Misako answered, "I wish I had joined
sooner though."

"You're not bad," Kyoku observed, "You're techniques are strong. It's
just the presentation that you need to work on."

"Here now, Kyoku-san, you let me do my job, ne?" their coach said as she
passed nearby. Kyoku flushed brightly. "Misako-san, you take what Kyoku
says but just remember that each person has their own strengths. Maybe
if Kyoku will teach you how to act kawaii for the judges, you can show
her how to dismount a balance beam without landing on her rear."
Grinning broadly at Kyoku who was now blushing even more, the coach
sauntered off. <Excellent gymnast... just tends to think she's cream of
the crop because she's number one at the school.>

"I should go, Kyoku-sempai. Thanks for the help. Arigato."

"I'll see you later, Misako-chan," Kyoku said while still blushing.

Gathering up her things, Misako walked towards the exit. <Kyoku-sempai
talked to me!> Not that Kyoku hadn't spoken to Misako before but this
was the first time that Misako felt like Kyoku was doing it out of
friendliness rather than just ordinary politeness.

                                 ******

As soon as Misako had left the changing rooms, she was assaulted by her
sister. Chibi-Usa ran forward and hugged her tightly. Grinning broadly,
the little girl exclaimed, "Onee-chan, that was really sugoi! Is that
what you do at practice?"

"Can't breathe," Misako whispered out and gasped a little as her sister
loosened the hug. "Hai Imouto, that's what I do at practice." Then
Misako blinked and frowned, "Wait a minute... you came to watch me?"
Chibi-Usa nodded and managed to broaden her grin. "But you said you were
gonna play with Momoko this afternoon."

"You wouldn't let me come to your practices. I wanted to see what the
big deal was," Chibi-Usa said while pouting slightly but grinned again.
"That was SO cool!" She was gushing with pride. "Can't I come to your
practices, please Onee-chan?!?"

<You came to watch me even when you said you'd play with Momoko?> Misako
thought, <You're askin' to come to my practices too... Well I sorta did
miss you being at them.> "Hai Imouto, you can come."

"Arigato!" Chibi-Usa replied while tightening her grip to the point that
forced the breath from Misako. Misako hugged Chibi-Usa back while
smiling. After a moment, they separated and Chibi-Usa moved to take
Misako's hand. Misako, feeling in a good mood and happy that her sister
had come to watch her, allowed her hand to be taken.

As they started walking, Misako asked, "'Sagi-chan, did you come here
all by yourself?"

Chibi-Usa looked at her with surprise. "Iie, didn't you see Mamo-chan
and Onee-san?" Misako shook her head. "They were sittin' by me." Then,
as if that settled the matter, she added, "I like the way your hair's
done up in gymnastics. It's pretty and kawaii too. Maybe you could wear
it like that all the time."

Misako decided not to respond to that; it would hurt Chibi-Usa's
feelings that she wasn't Misako's onee in the future. Instead, she said,
"I didn't have time to look for Mamoru-san or Usagi-san." Chibi-Usa
scowled at this but Misako ignored it. <I might not be able to call them
`Mom and Dad' but I certainly won't show them disrespect like you do.>

They were coming out of the entranceway to the building when they saw
Usagi and Mamoru standing together. Grinning broadly, Misako pulled her
hand away for Chibi-Usa and ran towards them. Usagi opened her arms but
Misako ignored her and instead headed for Mamoru. She giggled with
delight as he swept her up and hugged her.

"Sugoi," Mamoru said softly, "You were excellent." He smiled then as
Misako hugged him, "We waved to you but you didn't see us. I hope you
didn't think we'd miss this."

It hadn't been a question but Misako answered it, "I knew you wouldn't
miss it..." she reassured her father and then whispered out, "Daddy."

Usagi who was looking slightly hurt asked, "Didn't you think I would
come? I know I don't go to your practices..." Usagi trailed off and
thought, <How could I? I have to be there if Chibi-Usa needs help with
her homework.>

Misako looked towards Usagi with a serious expression on her face.
"Iie." She didn't say more but her expression told Usagi that there was
more she would like to say.

"Could I have a hug, Miko-chan?" Usagi asked.

"Chibi-Usa's here," Misako answered and turned back to face Mamoru.
Usagi bristled in anger and was about to demand what Misako had meant
when they heard the screams.

                                 ******

Finding a location to transform in was difficult but Usagi put the
intervening time to good use. She had just finished informing the others
about the possible attack at the sports complex when they found a
sheltered area to transform.

"What makes you think it's an attack, Usagi?" Rei questioned as Usagi
was about to switch the communicator off.

"Just that people are fleeing," Usagi responded, "You know how people
are with accidents and that. Then it's the reverse." With that, Usagi
switched off. "Ready girls?"

"Hai!" came the dual response from Misako and Chibi-Usa, both looking
almost giddy with anticipation.

"Then let's transform and go see if those fine people need our help,"
Usagi said and lifted her broach high into the air. Pride swelled within
Usagi as she saw her daughters repeat her motions. The pride almost
burst out of her as she heard them into their transformation phrases
along with her.

"EARTH PRISM POWER, MAKE-UP!" Misako shouted.
"MOON CRISIS MAKE-UP!" both Usagis shouted.

The weak daylight that struggled through the clouds was excluded as the
multicolored light swept the secluded area. Not to be outdone by either
his daughters or his girlfriend, Mamoru produced a rose and with a
process he did not understand, even after all this time, the light
swelled and soon Mamoru was no more. In his place stood Tuxedo Kamen.

"Let's go!" Sailor Moon directed and started towards the entrance.
Chibi-Moon and Chibi-Earth close behind her. At the appearance of the
Senshi, the few remaining people who were too fascinated with what was
happening to let fear rule them decided to flee. It was one thing to
face a strange terror from a safe distance, it was quite another to get
in the middle of one of the Sailor Senshi's firefights.

As they came into the large performance area where the gymnastics
equipment was located, they saw JunJun standing over the body of a girl
and frowning.

"Kyoku," Chibi-Earth whispered as she recognized the young girl.

Sailor Moon leapt to the top of the vaulting horse and started to speak,
"A gymnastics meet can provide fulfillment of some people's dreams, it
is not meant to shatter them! I AM THE PRETTY SUITED SENSHI, SAILOR
MOON..."

"AND I AM THE PRETTY SUITED SENSHI, SAILOR CHIBI-MOON..." Chibi-Moon
said as she leapt to join her mother on the vaulting horse.

"ON BEHALF OF THE MOON, WE WILL PUNISH YOU!" they finished together.

JunJun whirled around and looked towards Sailor Moon and Chibi-Moon.
Firing off an attack, JunJun cartwheeled off to the side before leaping
backwards and landing on the balance beam. Sailor Moon and Chibi-Moon
scattered to avoid the attack. Sailor Moon landed heavily on the mats
beside the vaulting horse while Chibi-Moon managed to remain upright.

"Sugoi!" Chibi-Earth declared, "She's really good!"

"Nani?" Chibi-Moon demanded as she looked over her shoulder at her
sister, "She's the enemy!"

Chibi-Earth blinked before looking about, noticing that Tuxedo Kamen had
disappeared. She watched with fascination as JunJun summoned a Lemure.
As it solidified, the Senshi could see that it was eight feet tall,
sleek, and black panther-like. The head, though, was a coiled snake who
hissed menacingly. As JunJun tossed Kyoku's dream mirror she was holding
to the Lemure, its snake's head shot forth, mouth gaping, showing its
three inch long fangs that dripped with venom. With two swallows, the
dream mirror disappeared inside the Lemure and the snake returned to its
coiled position ready to strike again.

"Take care of them, Hebi-san!" JunJun commanded as she backflipped
across the balance beam and then onto the mat beside it.

"Yesss..." Hebi hissed out and started towards Sailor Moon. As he moved,
Hebi produce what appeared to be a long pole with a hook on the end.

"Let's help, Sailor Moon!" Chibi-Moon called to Chibi-Earth and rushed
towards the Lemure.

"Wait Chibi-Moon!" Chibi-Earth called after her sister, "It could be
expecting you." Her cry of warning drew the Lemure's attention and it
swung on Chibi-Moon, who tried to leap over the hook but her legs became
entangled.

"Iie!" Chibi-Earth shouted and leaping into the air, sailed towards her
target. "CHIBI-EARTH KICK!" She snapped her leg out, aiming for its
head.

"Pessst!" Hebi hissed and releasing Chibi-Moon for the moment batted
Chibi-Earth out of the air with his staff. Fortunately, Tuxedo Kamen ran
and caught his falling daughter before she had hit the floor. Spinning
in place, Tuxedo Kamen launched a volley of roses that staggered Hebi
off of its feet.

"Run!" Chibi-Moon heard her mother command and Chibi-Moon did.
Scrambling to her feet, she ran to her mother's side. Now the Lemure was
caught on two sides.

"Pessstsss!!!! All of you are vermin to be eaten!" Hebi spat out.
Running forward, it leapt over the vaulting horse. Hitting the
springboard, Hebi somersaulted in the air before turning around again,
"Now we shall see how good you really are."

"MARS FLAME SNIPER!" Sailor Mars cried from the entrance way.

"SUPER SUPREME THUNDER!" Sailor Jupiter added. The combined attack blew
the Lemure off its feet, slamming it into the vaulting horse that caused
both he and the horse to topple to the ground.

"Venus, get his staff!" Chibi-Earth cried, "He needs it to balance!"

"HAI!" Venus called out, "VENUS LOVE ME CHAIN!" Her golden chain of
hearts shot forth and wrapped around the wicked hook. Giving a yank,
Venus retrieved the staff.

"IIE!" Hebi howled, "Give that back to me!" His snake's head shot out
trying to strike at Venus with its poisoned fangs but she was out of
reach.

"Double Team!" Chibi-Earth shouted, an idea occurring to her, "Blind
him!" Running in an arc, she leapt into the air again and cried out,
"RED ROSE HEART ATTACK!" The flurry of heart-shaped rose petals clouded
Hebi's vision and two well placed roses from Tuxedo Kamen ensured Hebi
would not see again. The Lemure howled in pain.

"Now Chibi-Moon!" Mercury called.

Kneeling and clasping her hands, Chibi-Moon prayed to the Pegasus,
"Please Pegasus... protect everyone's dreams!" Getting up, she started
to ring the Charion Bell while calling out, "Twinkle yell!"

After the Pegasus appeared, Super Sailor Moon shouted, "MOON GORGEOUS
MEDITATION!" blasting the Lemure back into its shadowy realm. The staff
that Venus held desolidified and vanished as well.

"HAI!" Chibi-Moon cried as she ran over to her sister and hugged her,
"WE DID IT!"

"We sure did," Chibi-Earth as she hugged her sister and watched as
Kyoku's dream mirror was replaced.

                                 ******

Misako greeted September with as much energy as it was possible without
getting into trouble. Not only was September one of the best months for
playing Youma Catch, but also it meant her birthday. To Misako's way of
thinking, having her tenth birthday meant that she was that much closer
to being a teen, it meant a later bedtime, and one of the more important
perks, a higher allowance. That was in the future; hopefully, her
grandparents would see it that way as well.

September fourth was pleasant day even if a bit on the cold side. It was
definitely a shock from August's heat. Misako though hardly noticed the
pleasant weather. She instead was worried about her sister. Chibi-Usa
had been acting depressed since the Senshi meeting on Wednesday. Misako
wasn't sure what Chibi-Usa was sad about and her sister didn't offer any
explanations.

However, today Misako was even more concerned. She had noticed that her
sister had been crying during the lunch hour. Misako had asked Chibi-Usa
if someone was picking on her and Chibi-Usa had only shook her head and
would say no more. The study session after school had been
uncomfortable. Chibi-Usa moped about and did anything but homework.
Finally, Usagi had been forced to send Chibi-Usa to her room with
instructions to complete her homework.

Now Misako was on her way to tell her sister that supper was ready.
Knocking gently on the door, Misako waited for some type of response but
none came. Opening the door, Misako looked around and noticed that
Chibi-Usa was lying on her stomach on her futon face buried in a pillow.
Walking over, Misako gently shook her sister.

"'Sagi-chan," Misako called softly, "Come on, it's time for supper."

After a few moments, Chibi-Usa turned her face to look at Misako. Her
cheeks were streaked with dried tears, her eyes were red and puffy from
crying. "I'm not hungry," Chibi-Usa said softly. <I'm sorry, Misako,
gomen.> The lump formed in her throat and she swallowed. She wanted to
cry, to relieve the emotions she was feeling but she had run dry of
tears and now only the ache remained.

<Not hungry?! Something's really wrong.> "'Sagi," Misako said gently,
"Please come and eat. You have to eat something. You hardly touched your
lunch." Chibi-Usa turned away to face the opposite wall. <I have to
cheer her up. She can't mope like this... What if a Lemure attacked?>
Her sister was too important to the timeline, to the survival of Crystal
Tokyo. <To my onee and Sakuya's baby.> Deciding that she had to do
something, Misako suggested, "'Sagi-chan, what if you come and eat
supper, then I can help you with your homework that you don't have done?
Maybe we can even take a bath together."

There was a long pause. During this time, the room was silent except for
the sounds of breathing and the outside noises that filtered in from
downstairs and outside. After a moment, Chibi-Usa sat up and, turning to
Misako, asked softly, "Could I have a hug from my imouto?" <Please
before I start hating you.>

Misako gave the request some consideration and then, moving forward,
hugged her sister. "Please don't be sad, 'Sa... Onee-chan." Chibi-Usa
smiled weakly and returned the hug. "Now come and get somethin' to eat."

"'Kay," Chibi-Usa replied. <Domo arigato, Imouto.>

                                 ******

It was the light kiss on her cheek that drew Misako from slumber. She
lay there for several seconds trying to figure out why the night had
seemed so short and why the morning was as dark as the night. She was
lying on her side and from behind her, she heard the soft shuffling of
feet and a very intense and whispered conversation.

"Iie," Diana hissed, "This is a bad idea, Small Lady."

"Diana," Chibi-Usa said, her voice thick with emotion, "I don't want to.
But I don't think I have a choice."

Misako decided to act as if she were still sleeping. <Maybe I'll find
out what's bothering 'Sagi.> The room fell silent for a few more moments
except for some strange, unidentifiable noises.

There was silence, then Chibi-Usa explained, "Diana, Misako's just as
good as I am. She can help Usagi fight the enemy. Misako's so serious in
Senshi practice. She's the type of Senshi that Luna wants... not me."

<Is that's what's buggin' her? Kami-sama, she should just wait until
she's in the future. My dear `onee' gets everything. The only reason
she's gets everything is 'cause my baka mother can't seem to remember
having another baby! If it was just Dad, me, and Small Lady, things
would be different, a lot better.>

Diana grumbled darkly before saying, "Small Lady, if I can't talk you
out of this baka plan, then I'm gonna find somebody who can." There was
a soft thump as Diana leapt from her perch to the floor.

Misako heard Chibi-Usa growl before saying, "Diana, you know perfectly
well that if I go back, that you have to come with me."

Misako bolted upright and whirling to look at her sister. "Nani?!"
Misako demanded.

"See what you did!" Chibi-Usa demanded of Diana, "I'm really sorry,
Miko-chan. I didn't mean to wake you up. Gomen nasai."

"What are you doing?" Misako demanded softly as she scrambled to her
feet upon noticing the suitcase that was partially packed.

In the light that came through the window, Misako could see the unshed
tears that were shimmering in Chibi-Usa's eyes. Lowering her head,
Chibi-Usa replied, "I'm going home. I'm gonna go back to the future so
you can be here by yourself." <I'm not needed here and you're supposed
to be by yourself.>

"But you can't!" Misako said louder than she had intended, "Usagi, you
can't leave." <Kami-sama!>

"Hai, I have to, Misako," Chibi-Usa countered, "I was gonna leave this
for you with a note but..." trailing off, Chibi-Usa walked forward and
held out the Charion Bell to her sister. "I know you'll be able to call
Pegasus. I'm gonna miss him... and Onee-san and Mamo-chan too." She was
unable to hold her tears then and Chibi-Usa began to softly cry.

"You have to take this back, 'Sagi," Misako replied while pushing the
Charion Bell away from her sister, "I can't take it."

"You have to. You're Chibi-Earth. You and On...Mommy and Daddy will need
it to beat the bad guys," Chibi-Usa sobbed out while shoving the bell
into her sister's hands. Turning away, Chibi-Usa added, "If you help me,
Miko-chan, I can get home faster." <Just like you want.>

"Didn't you hear me?" Misako demanded as she walked to stand beside her
sister, "You have to stay." With that, she placed the Charion Bell down
and gripped her sister's arms, "You CAN'T leave!"

"I can so!" Chibi-Usa shot back in a hushed voice, "This is my choice
and I ain't gonna listen to you. You're my imouto, after all." With
that, Chibi-Usa pulled from her sister's grip and continued her packing.

Misako could feel the desperation building within her, "'Sagi please..."

"I'm not listenin' to you," Chibi-Usa interrupted, "'Sides, you should
be glad I'm going." <Please Imouto... this is hard enough.>

<Kami-sama, what have I done?> Misako found that last statement hitting
too close to home. She HAD thought similar things. <I have to get her to
listen to me.> But Chibi-Usa just ignored her attempts. Finally out of
desperation, Misako growled out, "Small Lady, if you don't listen to me,
I'm gonna spank you!"

Chibi-Usa who had been packing away one of her dresses froze. At first,
it sounded so ridiculous to Chibi-Usa that she had to fight the urge to
giggle. Then, she thought about it more. <I think Miko-chan would spank
me too.> She could tell by Misako's tone that it was a serious one. She
stood like that for a long moment before letting the dress slip from her
hand. Turning to Misako, her bottom lip trembled as tears streaked down
her face; Chibi-Usa hugged her sister.

"Gomen nasai!" Chibi-Usa cried into Misako's shoulder, "I didn't want it
to be this way, Miko-chan." Misako hugged her sister back, feeling tears
run down her own face.

"You can't leave," Misako pleaded softly, "Please 'Sagi-chan, stay."

"I thought you wanted me to go," Chibi-Usa whispered out in confusion
between ragged breaths, "Because I hate you in the future." The words
tasted foul in her mouth. She still couldn't believe that her future
self could change so much.

Misako simply hugged her sister. <What am I going to say? She has to
stay. Everybody's depending on her.> "'Sagi-chan, you have to stay here.
You're important here."

"Iie," Chibi-Usa meekly replied.

"Onee-chan, you belong here. If you didn't, then Pluto would have came
to get you or Luna-P would have told you it was time to go, ne?" Misako
reasoned. Chibi-Usa looked at her and sniffled a little. "I think you
love me here in the past and my birthday's tomorrow. You weren't gonna
miss that, ne 'Sagi-chan?"

"I do love you," Chibi-Usa replied with deep sincerity, "Please
Onee-chan, believe me. I don't know why I hate you in the future but I
care about you an awful lot."

"But I'm your imouto," Misako admitted softly, "Please stay. Mom would
be really sad and so would Daddy." <And so would I.>

Chibi-Usa sucked on her lower lip for a moment and then asked, "If... if
I stay, will you be my onee?" Before Misako could even respond,
Chibi-Usa knew that Misako objected to that. "Please Miko-chan, let me
be you're imouto. I just want a sister. I don't care if you're my imouto
or my onee... I just want you to be my sister that I love..." <Who loves
me.>

"Okay Imouto," Misako agreed softly, "But you, me, and Diana are gonna
have a serious talk tomorrow about this. Diana, you're not going to say
anything, ne?" Misako asked the gray kitten who had watched the whole
exchange in silent shock.

"Hai," Diana squeaked after a moment, "But this talk had better be good,
Misako-san."

Settling back onto their futons, Chibi-Usa placed her head on Misako's
shoulder, hugged the older girl, and closed her eyes. It was at this
point that the door opened. Both girls looked up to find Ikuko looking
none-too-pleased standing in the doorway.

"What on earth is going on up here?" Ikuko questioned and reached for
the switch that turned on a small desk light. As the room flooded with
light, Ikuko's eyes fell upon the partially packed suitcase and the
tear-streaked face of her nieces. "Well?!" Ikuko demanded when both
little girls stared at her.

Giving Chibi-Usa a reassuring hug, Misako got up and explained softly,
"Gomen nasai, Ikuko-mama. Chibi-Usa was getting homesick. She was
packing her suitcase and I woke up. I didn't want her to go. She doesn't
understand what's happenin' at home."

Entering the room fully, Ikuko closed the door and walked over to crouch
beside Chibi-Usa who was now sitting up. "Honey, are you okay?"

"I did want to go home, Ikuko-mama," Chibi-Usa said softly, "I thought I
could go 'cause Misako's here now."

Ikuko lifted Chibi-Usa up and hugged her. Walking over to a chair, she
sat down and settled Chibi-Usa on her lap. Motioning to Misako, Ikuko
started to speak, "Chibi-Usa-chan, you know everybody here loves you.
Kenji and I love both you girls very much and we'd be very sad if you
went away, Chibi-Usa-chan. Usagi loves you too and I think she'd be
really sad that you wanted to leave."

"But I want Mommy," Chibi-Usa whined while snuggling against Ikuko. <I
have to ask her what happened. I'm so confused and I can't talk to
Onee-san about this.>

"Oh Chibi-Usa-chan," Ikuko said tenderly, "You know your mommy died when
you were little." Chibi-Usa gave an involuntary start but then relaxed.
"Maybe you can write a letter to your daddy. I'd bet he'd like that,
ne?"

<I forgot about that letter explaining why Misako and I were here,>
Chibi-Usa thought. Hugging her grandmother, Chibi-Usa replied, "Hai
Ikuko-mama. I'm sorry I woke you up. Gomen."

"You can stay as long as you like, both of you," Ikuko said softly while
drawing Misako into a hug, "We love you, and would miss both of you."
Misako returned her grandmother's hug and hugged Chibi-Usa as well. "Now
it's late. I want you two to go to bed." Standing then, Ikuko carried
Chibi-Usa and settled her onto her futon before tucking her in as best
she could. "Have a good sleep, ne Chibi-Usa-chan?"

"Hai Ikuko-mama," Chibi-Usa responded and gave her grandmother a hug and
a kiss before snuggling against her sister. Placing her head on Misako's
shoulder, Chibi-Usa closed her eyes and simply allowed herself to drink
in the warmth she felt.

Misako protectively hugged Chibi-Usa, more to make sure she wouldn't try
to leave, then out of any real concern that Misako would openly admit
to. Deep down though, Misako was concerned and it was comforting somehow
to hear her sister's breathing slow as she fell into slumber and the
warmth of both her love and body.

Once Ikuko was satisfied that Chibi-Usa was calmer, she gave Misako a
kiss and walking to the door turned the light off. Leaving the room, she
looked back once before closing the door. She was glad that, for the
moment, Chibi-Usa could find comfort in Misako and that Misako was
willing to give the support Chibi-Usa needed.

End of Chapter 17

Coming next in Chapter 18 -  The Marching Drums of Motherhood