The World Turned Upside Down
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 "The World Turned
Upside Down" are copyrighted (c) 1999 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 4 - ...And Baby Makes Three
Obsidian sat on the edge of the roof and watched as a blue cat
with a crescent moon on its forehead paced back and forth.
"How can you have lost one of the pieces of the Guardian Earth
Stone?!?"
"You kept me too long, Macavity!" Obsidian replied, "When I
arrived, the battle was over and the piece of the Guardian
Earth Stone was gone. The Senshi were attending to Tuxedo
Kamen."
[Whoa!] Usagi declared, [Macavity? The Macavity I mentioned before???
What's the big idea?!?]
['Sagi-chan,] Misako replied, [I didn't have a name for him. That's who
the voice was. Macavity is a Lunar Cat.] She blushed slightly and added,
[I hope you don't mind.]
Usagi took on a thoughtful expression for a moment before saying, [Iie,
Miko-chan.] She grinned at Misako and added, [I was gonna give Terra an
imaginary friend named Macavity, but this works much better.] She didn't
bother mentioning that the imaginary friend was based off of one that
she once had. One she had pretended was her little sister before Misako
existed.
[Are you sure?] Misako asked.
[Hai, but Luna, Artemis, and Diana can't turn invisible.]
Misako considered this then she gave her sister a grin. [I guess we get
what we both want.] Usagi gave her a confused look so Misako explained,
[I wanted Obsidian to have a Lunar Cat that knew Terra and you wanted
her to have an imaginary friend. Macavity can turn invisible because you
wanted him to; that gives Terra the imaginary friend you wanted her to
have. Just don't tell Diana about this, 'kay?]
"We have to get it back!" Macavity stated sternly, "There's no
telling what they'd do with it. Heaven only knows what that
Serenity might do to the Guardian Earth Stone." He lashed his
tail at that thought. "I just can't believe Artemis would
throw his lot in with those Senshi." Macavity sighed then and
added, "Then he always did let Luna bully him."
"So what do we do?" Obsidian asked then offered, "I think we
should tell them the truth."
"Don't even consider it!" Macavity commanded, "As a Lunar
Knight, you have your duty to uphold. We are the true
warriors. I'm surprised Beryl was defeated by such little
girls in short skirts and baka speeches."
Misako gave a yelp as Usagi poked her. She grinned sheepishly at her
sister who glared back at her. [I didn't mean anything by it, 'Sagi. I
give speeches too.]
"I really should go apologize to Makoto," Obsidian stated,
"She's going to be awfully upset with me."
"Go on, Obsidian, I'll think of something by myself," Macavity
said sarcastically but it was lost on Obsidian who dashed
across the rooftops. Rolling his eyes, he looked skyward and
asked, "Why me?" He blinked. Had he actually heard someone
giggling?
Crystal cried as she clung to Nephrite. "It ain't fair!" she
wailed, "It just ain't fair!!!!" Nephrite simply held her
close trying to soothe the very upset Princess. She, Nephrite,
and Jadeite were in Crystal's bedroom.
<Nephrite was always the lucky one,> Jadeite thought darkly,
<HE gets to hug Crystal...> He blushed deeply as he imagined
Crystal in his arms before he snapped out of it. "We should
have attacked the Senshi in their civilian forms," Jadeite
stated without sympathy. "That youma could have taken Usagi
out but instead, it asked her to transform!" He paced about
the disgustingly cute bedroom.
"Jade-chan," Crystal sniffled, "Please don't be mad at me."
"I... I'm not, Your Highness," Jadeite replied carefully, "But
we seem to be repeating history." For some reason, he felt
very embarrassed.
Hugging Rei-chan #2 closely, Crystal leaned against Nephrite
and said softly, "Maybe we need a hostage." Both Generals
blinked. Crystal shook her head. "Iie, that won't work." She
considered her options and then pouted, "I don't know what to
do."
"Princess, I think I have an idea," Nephrite offered slowly,
"It just might work."
The Inner Senshi and their allies had retreated to Mamoru's
apartment after the battle. "You're starting to klutz out
again, Odango Atama," Rei remarked, "And I can't believe a
little kid killed Zoisite."
"Who says she did?" Usagi replied before Rei's first statement
sunk in, "And I'm NOT a klutz." Tears were forming in her
eyes.
"I say she did!" Rei retorted.
"That would be highly unreasonable," Luna replied,
"Terra-chan, do you know how you destroyed Zoisite?"
Terra considered this for several seconds before saying, "I
must agree with Rei-san. It is doubtful I killed Zoisite. He
was a formable General. When I became Sailor Earth at age
eleven during the Silver Millennium, I was lacking power. Even
now, I don't have power and since I'm five, my physical size
is reduced significantly."
"So he just... gave up the ghost?" Makoto offered.
"Oh Mako-chan," Minako groaned, "And I thought I was bad."
"Well I'm glad to hear Terra say she can't defeat Generals,"
Usagi replied. <I don't need another little spore showing me
up!>
[Miko-chan, Onee-san did love you,] Usagi pointed out.
[I suppose so,] Misako replied, not sounding very convinced.
Noticing the glares that Will and Mamoru were giving her,
Usagi quickly added, "I just don't want her getting hurt. It
would be awful if your imouto got hurt, ne Mamo-chan?"
"It would be awful, Usako," Mamoru agreed, "But I'm still very
proud of her."
"As am I," Will replied, "We still haven't figured out though,
what the Dark Kingdom is after."
"Energy of course," Minako chimed in.
"For what purpose though?" Will questioned, "If what you told
me is right, both Metallia and Beryl are dead."
"Maybe a giant pink bunny?" Usagi speculated. She pouted as
the others laughed at her. They wouldn't have laughed though
if they knew how close she actually was to the truth.
"I'll try another fire reading," Rei said as she got up, "And
I should go or else Ojii-san will have a fit!"
"Hai, I need to study some more," Ami replied.
"And I've got homework to finish," both Makoto and Minako
stated together.
Usagi smiled. <Homework's done and as soon as Will and Terra
leave, I'll have Mamo-chan all to myself!>
"And I need to talk to you about Terra's schooling," Will told
his brother.
"Okay, let's go get some pastries. Usagi-chan, you can look
after Terra for a few minutes, ne?" Usagi's only response was
to explode with annoyance.
Makoto sat in her apartment; her homework lay before her on
the table, untouched. She was unsure whether she should be
seething or feeling guilty. <What am I going to do?> she
wondered, <Where'd Doug take off to?> She was angry that Doug
had taken off but was feeling guilty that she was feeling mad.
This cycle of thought continued for a few minutes before a
knock at the door drew her out of her brooding.
Getting up, Makoto walked to the door and opened it to see
Doug standing there. "No flowers?" Makoto questioned, "Isn't
that what a boy is supposed to give a girl when he does
something baka?"
Misako looked towards her sister who had let out a large sigh. [Nani?]
[Misako, you are so boring,] Usagi replied, [That isn't real romance.]
Misako scowled at her so she added, [It isn't like you see in movies or
television shows.]
[But you want them to do stuff that's... yucky,] Misako countered. It
wasn't the best choice of words but the only one that was closest to
what she felt about the topic.
Usagi gave her sister a sympathetic smile. She had been the same way at
Misako's age. Ignorant of what "love" really was. It had been a shock,
and in some cases, a relief in others, to find out things weren't the
same in the real world as they were in the movies. [I'm older than you
are, IMOUTO,] Usagi pointed out, [and I've HAD a boyfriend.]
[He doesn't count,] Misako replied, [You think YOU'RE such an expert.]
Usagi shook her head in exasperation; of course, SHE was an EXPERT! She
was fifteen after all! [You don't even have a boyfriend. If you knew the
first thing about love and romance, you wouldn't be so hung up on
Senji.] Misako shoved the pad and pencil towards Usagi before getting up
and stomping out of the room. [Gomen Miko-chan...] Usagi began but it
was obvious that her sister was sulking and there was nothing she could
do about it.
"Certainly not, my fair lady," Doug answered before sweeping
into a low bow. "Why cheapen an apology with a bribe?" Makoto
considered this but before she could think of something to say
Doug straightened and placed his hand on her arm. "Mako-chan,
I'm very sorry for leaving you like that."
"Was it important?" Makoto questioned. When Doug nodded, she
smiled and clasped his hand in hers. "That's okay. Please come
inside." She didn't gave him much choice though as she pulled
him inside before shutting the door.
"Would you allow me to escort you to dinner, My Lady?" Doug
asked as he looked at her. She nodded slightly before hugging
him. Hugging her back, they looked deeply into each other's
eyes before moving to kiss.
The world melted away as their lips touched. Lost within each
other's eyes, they felt love and warmth flow between them.
When they parted, Makoto gave a sigh of contentment. "Why
don't we sit down, Doug-chan," she suggested.
"Hai," Doug replied softly, "So what would you like to do?"
"Talk," Makoto replied as the moved to sit on the couch, "And
maybe... watch a movie."
A few nights later, Crystal sat in the Tsukino dining room and
watched with mounting horror as Usagi acted like a black hole
by gobbling all the food in sight. <It's like that girl opens
her mouth and stuffs it in whole!> Crystal thought, <We'd be
in really big trouble if she ever managed to turn that
appetite against us.>
"Usagi," Ikuko said with some exasperation, "Leave some for
the rest of us."
"But Mommy... I'm hungry!" Usagi whined, spraying food
everywhere. <Mommy?!?> Crystal lost her desire to eat. The
other Tsukino's and Tomoe Hotaru, the young girl who was
living with the Tsukino's, simply shielded their own food and
continued eating as if this was typical.
"Please don't mind Usagi, Crystal-san," Shingo commented,
"Although I thought she might show some restraint around
guests." He gave a squawk of protest as several pieces of
carrot pelted him.
"Okay, that's it!" Ikuko thundered, "Usagi, go stand in the
corner."
"Nani?!?" Usagi questioned, her eyes bulging, "Standing in the
corner's for little kids!"
"Right now, young lady!" Ikuko commanded, jabbing her finger
towards a corner of the dining room. "We do not waste food in
this house!"
Pouting, Usagi got up and stomped over to the corner. She
stood there, nose touching the wall, her face was flushed with
annoyance and embarrassment. <I don't believe this!> Usagi
seethed, <I am NOT a little kid!>
"And no dessert either," Ikuko added without looking at her
daughter who immediately started pouting. "Gomen Crystal-san,
for my mesume's behavior," she explained bowing her head, "For
some reason after her cousins went away, Usagi's been getting
worse. It's almost like she's regressing!"
"That's all right, Tsukino-san," Crystal replied, "I know a
few people that are just as naughty." Somewhere in the Dark
Kingdom, two Generals stood in corners as well.
"I can't believe Mom did that, Crystal-chan! I'm seventeen for
Kami's sake," Usagi ranted as she paced around her bedroom
later that evening. "It's so unfair!" She stopped her pacing
and turned to regard Crystal. "She was right though, I am
getting worse. I mean I used to be able to at least finish my
homework. Now I keep forgetting about it." <I won't mention my
grades lately...>
"You've been tardy for most of this week too." Usagi gave her
a sour look. "Your mommy seemed to think it had somethin' to
do with your cousins."
"Oh yeah, Cotton Candy and Cotton Head," Usagi muttered out.
Crystal boggled a little before saying, "Those are their
names, Usagi-chan? They sound like something out of a Ranma
manga!"
"Iie, just their hair color... although that isn't right
either. The older one's got lovely strawberry blonde hair and
the other has silky blonde-white hair and both have beautiful
blue..." <What am I saying?!?> Usagi grimaced then and changed
the subject, "You read Ranma manga? What about those Sailor
Senshi ones?"
Crystal shuddered and shook her head, "Gives me scary dreams."
"Ne?!?" Usagi asked in shock, "Well I could see where Sailor
Mars would give you nightmares, Crystal-chan..." <Kami-sama
knows she does to me!> "But I mean Sailor Moon can't scare
you! She's pretty and kawaii and cuddly and adorable and..."
Crystal shook her head. "She scares me the mostest; I keep
seein' her blast my mommy over 'n' over." A grin flitted
across her face as she added, "'Sides Usagi-chan, she's a fat
cow."
"I am... er, I mean, she is not!"
"Is too!"
"IS NOT!"
"IS TOO!"
That started a fight that ended with Usagi doing more corner
time and being grounded for the next week. As she was crawling
into bed, Usagi sighed, <At least, the "fungi" isn't here to
laugh at me.>
Usagi was laughing, however. [Ne, Miko...] Usagi began but then
remembered her sister wasn't there. [I think you really would've liked
this.] She glanced at the doorway, hoping Misako had come back but it
was empty. [Baka Usagi,] she muttered out, [Why'd you have to bring up
Senji?] Moving to lay on her stomach on Misako's bed, she continued to
write.
"You shoulda saw her, Rei-chan," Crystal told her teddy bear
the next morning. She was sitting in her tight fitting bunny
pajamas holding conference with her friend in the Throne Room.
Crystal was sitting cross-legged on the throne. "She don't
like Rei either." Crystal added as she pouted, "What's wrong
with Rei? She'd make a great youma... at least the kind Mommy
made." Sniffling a little, she hugged Rei-chan #2 close
burying it in her bosom.
"Why do they always have to be so mean?" Crystal asked no one
in particular, "Maybe it's 'cause the world isn't kawaii
enough." It just didn't have enough pink in it. When she
ruled, she'd certainly remedy that. "Jade-chan!" she called
out, "I'm hungry!"
When Jadeite appeared, he bowed and asked, "What would Your
Highness like?"
"Doughnuts!"
"But..."
"Doughnuts... with lotsa pretty sprinkles!" Crystal clarified,
"And make sure the icing is pink!"
"Hai, Your Highness," Jadeite replied and vanished while
sighing mentally. He must be the butt of some great cosmic
joke.
"Neph-chan!"
"Hai, Your Highness?" Nephrite said as he appeared before
Crystal and bowed.
"Neph-chan, could ya use Usagi's tummy against her?"
"I had never thought of that, Your Highness, excellent."
Crystal beamed happily at him and bouncing off of the throne,
hugged him tightly. He was more than happy to oblige. "We will
have to find something that she likes a lot."
"Chocolate," Crystal replied, "Ya shoulda heard Usagi cry
'cause she was banned from dessert." Giggling, she looked up
at Nephrite and sighed, "You're so kawaii."
"I don't see why I have to go to school, Mamo-oniichan," Terra
reiterated as she and Mamoru walked along the sidewalk towards
the Juuban Elementary School. "I keep telling you it would not
be necessary for me to attend. With the others in high school
and Onii-san and yourself attending university, you will need
someone available to keep watch. I would hate for you to give
up your scholastic pursuits because of a youma."
"You're going to kindergarten, Terra, and that's final,"
Mamoru replied.
"Doug-ojichan agrees with me," Terra pouted out.
"That isn't true, Terra-chan," Mamoru countered, "He said he
was staying out of it because it was a family matter." Terra's
pout got a little bigger. Sighing, Mamoru stopped and knelt
down to look into the little girl's eyes. "Imouto, I wouldn't
let my mesume skip school. I certainly won't let my imouto.
You're very intelligent. So why don't you want to go to
school?"
"I just don't wish to," Terra stated with some exasperation.
Walking forward, she hugged her brother. Mamoru lifted her up
and started walking again. "I guess I'm frightened. It'll be
very new experience for me."
"But you're Sailor Earth. A great Senshi," Mamoru countered
with a small smile, "You shouldn't be scared of making new
friends, ne?"
Terra didn't immediately answer before slowly nodding. They
continued on to the school in a more comfortable silence. They
were a short distance away from the school when Terra asked,
"Onii-chan, why does Usagi hate me?"
Usagi sniffled a little and rubbed her eyes. [Why's she so mad?] Usagi
huffed out but despite her tone, she missed Misako; writing this story
was supposed to take both of them. [It's our story,] Usagi grumbled
again while rubbing her eyes.
"She doesn't hate you, Terra-chan," Mamoru replied, "Usako
just doesn't like little kids that drop from the sky and land
on her head."
"Why?" Terra asked. Mamoru shrugged. There were some things
about Usagi that man was never meant to understand.
Usagi sat on her bed alone staring gloomily at the picture of
Mamoru, Chibi-Usa, Misako, and herself. <My imouto are gone,>
Usagi thought sadly, <Even with me spending a lot of time at
Mamoru's, I miss them.> She sniffled a little bit, and felt a
wave of guilt wash over her. <I could have been nicer to
Chibi-Usa and Misako; like that trip to the shrine. I could
have invited them along. They are my imouto.>
She was pulled from her depressing thoughts by a knock at her
door. "Come in," she said softly. The door opened to reveal
Hotaru and Shingo. They stepped into the room and gave Usagi a
worried look. "What are you two love birds up to?" Both
blushed slightly but reached out and held each other's hand
anyway. He had become quite attached to the ten year old girl.
"Onee-chan," Shingo began, "Are you okay?" Usagi sighed a
little and put the picture she was holding back in its place.
"You miss them a lot, ne?"
"Hai," Usagi replied softly, "I keep thinking of asking them
to come with me to the park. Or for ice cream." <Were they
really so bad?>
"Usagi-chan, why don't you write them a letter or something?"
Hotaru asked, "I mean, you likely won't see them for a long
time but you could still write to them." <I hope you're okay,
Chibi-Usa.>
"I don't think Puu would be a good mailman."
"Who's Puu?" Shingo asked softly.
"Just a fri... er associate of ours, Shingo-oniichan," Hotaru
replied before muttering, "Manipulating little spore!"
"Hota-chan's right," Shingo commented to his sister, "You
should write them a long letter and tell them how much you
miss them." <I miss them a lot too especially Peanut.> He
cocked his head and added, "And how sorry you are that you
ever punished them."
"Don't you start, Shingo," Usagi warned her brother, "I heard
enough of that from Chibi-Usa and Misako." She gave a sigh and
pushed herself off the bed. "I think you're both right. I
should write them." Smiling, she gave her brother a hug and
added, "Arigato Otouto."
"Just don't say I don't do anything for you, Onee-chan,"
Shingo grumbled out as he suffered through the hug.
Will looked up from the paper as someone staggered into the
kitchen. "Are you okay?" he asked Doug, "You look awful."
"Gee Will, I hadn't noticed," Doug replied sarcastically and
dropped heavily into a chair.
"What happened, Doug?" Will asked then said, "Let me guess...
Usagi."
"What about that Baka Odango Atama?" Terra asked as she came
into the kitchen.
"Terra..."
"Gomen Onii-san," Terra replied, "But she's always being
disrespectful to me. I apologized for landing on her face."
She then noticed Doug. Taking on a worried expression, she
quickly padded over to the haggard looking teen and asked,
"Are you okay, Doug-ojichan?"
Shaking his head, Doug sighed, "I don't even know why they let
that girl into chemistry." Slumping down in his chair, he
sighed again, "And I got partnered with her. If that wasn't
bad enough, she stole my lunch, tripped me more times than I
care to remember, and somehow managed to squash every single
toe, one at a time! She's a walking disaster area!"
<Still... she's a sweet girl at heart,> Doug thought. "I feel
sorry for her really." He sighed a little and added, "She's
having a hard time of it. I think she misses her cousins a
lot." <I feel something about her. I just can't tell what.> It
wasn't like what he felt about Makoto but there was something
that made him want to be around Usagi. "She's a good friend...
when she isn't trying to put me into the hospital."
"Poor Doug-ojichan," Terra said sympathetically, "Do you
suspect that Usagi is attempting to kill you?"
"Iie Terra-chan," Doug replied. Pushing himself up, he added,
"But what else would you suspect from the Queen of Klutzdom?"
Turning, he was about to leave the kitchen but Terra stopped
him. "Nani?"
"I want to show you my new kindergarten fuku," Terra replied
happily. <It's so kawaii!> "Mamo-oniichan registered me for
school today!"
"I thought you didn't want to go?" Doug countered as he sat
back down.
"I believe my unusual situation in the past had led me to a
preconceived notion of what kindergarten would be like," Terra
explained, "Upon further reflection, I saw that it was not as
boring as I had feared."
"Well go get your fuku on, Imouto, and we can take a picture,"
Will suggested. He was certainly proud of his little sister.
"Hai!" Terra chirped, and turning, skipped from the room.
Nephrite was walking down the street, the following Saturday.
<Crystal said that Usagi loves chocolate. Maybe an exploding
chocolate grenade then?> That would certainly work. The
question was how to make it. His forehead wrinkled slightly as
something flitted through his mind. <I have this memory of
someone else.> Concentrating, he tried to recall more details,
<But who?> All he could remember was that he had offered a
type of chocolate to her as well. <Her? Hai, that feels
right.>
So absorbed in his own thoughts that Nephrite had not noticed
where he was going. Suddenly though, he was aware of colliding
into someone and a female voice crying out in surprise.
Blinking, he looked down at the woman and blushed. "I'm
terribly sorry, Ma'am," he said while bowing. Moving, he held
offered a hand that she slowly took.
"Have we met, young man?" she asked slowly.
Nephrite looked steadily at the woman for a long moment. "You
seem familiar," Nephrite answered hesitantly, "Osaka-san?" The
name seemed to match the face.
"Hai... You look like Sanjoin Masato."
Nephrite's eyes expanded in surprise as realization washed
over him. <Osaka Naru.... this is her mother!> He noticed that
Naru's mother was giving him a strange look so he hurriedly
said, "I-I'm his musuko."
"He was around for a while and then simply vanished," Mrs.
Osaka said, "It really devastated Naru."
A pang of guilt shot through Nephrite at the thought of Naru
suffering. <Poor Naru, she must be heartbroken.> "My father
was murdered. I believe Naru saw it." He was uncomfortable
with getting so close to the memory of that night. The night
that been indelibly burnt into his partially decayed mind. "I
know he wouldn't have wanted Naru to suffer though."
"I know she still thinks of him. I am so glad she found Gurio
Umino though. That boy has done wonders in helping her
recover. Maybe before I'm old and gray, he'll finally ask Naru
to marry him."
<MARRY?!? TAKE HIS NARU AWAY?!?> The thoughts snarled through
his mind at the thought of another man with Naru. <I died for
her!> Nephrite thought despondently. "It was nice meeting you,
Osaka-san; I might stop by some time and speak with Naru if
you would permit it?"
"Certainly, I'm sure she'd be pleased to meet Masato's
musuko."
Misako sat in the dining room, arms crossed, glaring through the window
at the outside world. [Baka Odango Atama,] Misako muttered once again,
[I don't know why I like Senji but I DO!] She thumped the table with her
fist. [She even made me leave my own room!] So she wasn't some hotshot
romance expert like her sister. She knew one thing for certain. She
enjoyed being with Senji far more than just mere friendship. Her father
called it "puppy love". [Baka Otou-san!] Maybe it was time to go kick
Usagi out of the room and finish the story herself.
"He's mad, ain't he?" Obsidian observed as he and Macavity
watched Nephrite stalk down the street.
"You're skill at stating the obvious never ceases to amaze
me."
"Bite me."
"Shudda up or I will!" Macavity growled back, "If you hadn't
lost that piece of the Guardian Earth Stone, Obsidian, we
could both be doing something else besides following a teenage
Nephrite!"
"Why are you so crabby?" Obsidian questioned, "I mean more
than... OUCH! Kami-sama, those claws are sharp!" <Why can't he
be a little more understanding... like Usagi?>
"If you must know, Terra tried to dress me in a pink frilly
dress this morning." Macavity glared balefully at his blue
armored companion. "Come on, let's get moving so we don't lose
him."
They raced along the rooftops, keeping a safe distance between
themselves and Nephrite. "Macavity, I don't see why we don't
just take him out," Obsidian suggested.
"Because I want to know what he's doing here. The Senshi
always wait until the last minute to save the Earth. I don't
want whoever resurrected Nephy there to come slithering out
and cream us." Macavity then proceeded to rant about the
unfairness of life and what Queen Serenity had been thinking
when she had given the power to the Sailor Senshi instead of
the Lunar Knights.
"Well we ran outta rooftops," Obsidian said as Nephrite turned
into the park, "So what now, boss? Change back and follow
him?"
"Hai, you keep an eye on him. I'll take care of the other part
of my plan to get the piece of the Guardian Earth Stone away
from the Senshi." Obsidian turned to protest but Macavity's
look stopped him. "I know why you're objecting but we need the
Guardian Earth Stone!"
"Okay, okay," Obsidian conceded and shifted back into his
civilian form, "But when this is over with, you're going to do
a lot of explaining to Makoto. I was going to meet her for
lunch!" Doug's stomach offered its own protests of missing his
girlfriend's fabulous cooking.
Misako climbed up on the kitchen counter and carefully stood. [Maybe I
got the wrong idea,] Misako muttered out as she stretched to open a
heating duct. Despite her anger, Misako couldn't seem to find it in her
heart to finish the story alone. ['Sagi helped me in the first place.
And she IS older than I am,] she mused as she retrieved a package from
the fake heating duct. [Okaa-san's secret stash of triple chocolate
fudge brownies.] She'd see if Usagi would apologize first before handing
over the bag.
<Umino is such a great kisser!> Naru mused as she sat on a
bench, locked in an passionate embrace with Umino, <Who cares
who sees us!> Behind that geeky appearance, beat the heart of
one of the Japan's great lovers.
Unknown to the lovers, they had attracted a small crowd. While
the odd person was shaking their heads in disapproval, most
were betting on when the couple would have to come up for air.
<Oh Umino!> Naru thought through the stirring haze of passion
as she ran her hand through his hair. <This feels so...> At
that point, the bench was blown backwards by a forceful blast.
"Sugoi!" Naru breathed out, not really noticing she was lying
on the ground.
[I guess I got what I wanted,] Usagi said to herself, [A great love
scene.] It wasn't really special without Misako to complain about it. [I
wish she'd come back.] Blinking, she continued writing.
"How could you?!" roared a voice. Naru blinked and the scream
of the people around her finally registered. "Naru, how could
you betray me!"
Naru sat up and looked, her eyes enlarging at a sight she
never thought she'd ever see again. "Nephrite?!?" He looked so
young, so muscular, so... very, very pissed!
"So you remember my name, Naru," he said, losing some of his
anger, "At least you remember me."
"Who's the freak?" Umino questioned as he pushed himself up.
"Who are you calling a freak, geek?!?" Nephrite retorted and
took a menacing step forward.
"You leave Naru alone!" Umino yelled, scrambling to his feet.
"Umino-chan, get behind me!" Naru thundered as she scrambled
to her own feet.
"Hai," Umino squeaked and scrambled to cower behind Naru
before sticking his tongue out at Nephrite.
"What are you doing back?" Naru demanded, "Do you know how
long I cried for you?!?" She felt her anger rising. "How long
I had nightmares about watching you die?!?!"
"I came back because I love you, Naru-chan. We're the same age
now and it'll work," Nephrite explained, "I came back to
replace that overgrown slug you seem to think is your
boyfriend."
"I AM HER BOYFRIEND!" Umino protested.
"Quiet!" Naru barked.
"Hai, dear."
"Scandals like you should run for office!" came a new voice.
Both Naru and Nephrite raised eyebrows as they looked towards
Sailor Moon. "Yet you insist on showing your undying love..."
"Sailor Moon, what's the matter?" Jupiter asked her companion.
"That isn't so bad, ne?" Sailor Moon asked, "I mean, he's
showing his dedication to Naru. Why would I want to punish
that?"
"For fun?" Mars muttered out. This caused the other Senshi to
give her strange looks.
"I could make sure he doesn't come back," Saturn volunteered.
"Iie."
"But... I could make the world go BOOM!" Saturn pointed out
readying her Silence Glaive, "I mean he couldn't come back
then."
Usagi gave a throaty giggle, remembering back to when Misako had first
met Elder Saturn. It was funny how things had seemed to go after that.
Well at the time, it had, but now though... Usagi shook off the thought.
Now wasn't the time to get depressive.
"She's got a point," Sailor Moon agreed.
"USAGI!" the others bellowed.
Naru whirled to face the Senshi and started stalking towards
them. Her nostrils were flared in anger, her fists clenched
tightly. "You're USAGI!" she yelled, "You gave up our
friendship to be with a pyromaniac, a walking Popsicle, a
karate nut, and a love girl. AND you don't even have the...
the... gonads to tell me?!?"
"Nani? I'm a girl, Naru-chan," Sailor Moon replied, "And I
mean, how could I keep a friendship with you? You kept getting
attacked all the time. I mean that's really unhealthy."
<Now's my chance!> Nephrite thought gleefully as he took aim
at Umino. <Sayonara geek!>
Nephrite was just about to attack when Naru shouted out, "SUN
SUPER STAR POWER, MAKE UP!" Blinding light swirled around Naru
enveloping her in a fiery glow. "I AM SAILOR SUN, AND I'LL
ROAST YOU ALIVE!" As the glow faded, it left behind a
glittering Senshi, dressed all in gold and orange. "SOLAR
FLARE BURN!" Sailor Sun shouted and whirling around, launched
her attack towards the astonished General.
"IIE.... NAARUU!!!!!!" Nephrite cried as he was swallowed by
the brilliant beam.
"Oh Naru-chan," Sailor Moon said softly. That seemed to be a
mistake because Sailor Sun whirled on her, looking ready to
attack. That's when a pink buttercup and a red rose streaked
between Sailor Moon and Sailor Sun. "Tuxedo Will-sama! Tuxedo
Kamen-sama!" the Senshi all cried happily.
"The Sun might be bigger," Tuxedo Will began.
"But the Moon can eclipse the Sun!" Tuxedo Kamen finished off,
"Do not fight a Senshi that had a different destiny!"
"I guess you're right, Tuxedo Kamen-sama," Sailor Sun
commented, "But I'm really angry with her."
"Gomen nasai, Naru-chan," Sailor Moon apologized, "I don't
know why I kept away from you. It's like somebody just didn't
think you mattered to me anymore."
"I guess I can forgive you, Usagi-chan," Sailor Sun grumbled
out.
"So when did you find out?!?" Sailor Moon demanded, "Why
didn't we know you were Sailor Sun?"
"They wouldn't let me out in the Silver Millennium," Sailor
Sun grumbled, "And I didn't remember in this time period until
after Galaxia restored my starseed. This is the first time
I've had a real chance to fight."
"Naru! Naru! He isn't dead!" Umino yelled. Sailor Sun whirled
around but Sailor Moon stopped her.
"I'll heal him!"
"Iie, Sailor Moon, kill him!" Tuxedo Will countered and threw
several pink buttercups at the twitching and smoking form of
Nephrite.
"MOON HEALING ESCALATION!" Sailor Moon shouted. As the light
from the two attacks faded, everyone gasped. <What in the
world?!?> Sailor Moon wondered and looked at the Ginzuishou,
dropping it like it was on fire. "Can't be! Just can't be!"
"You turned Nephrite into a baby?" Sailor Sun asked. "Well I
suppose it's a worse fate than death."
Usagi tried blinking the tears away so she could continue but there were
just too many of them. Her bottom lip quivered for a moment or so before
she began to cry. Misako, who had just entered the room, stood
dumbstruck. [Misako...] she whispered out, [Please come back.]
['Sagi?] Misako questioned softly. Usagi's head snapped up and she
scrambled off the bed to stand up.
Before Misako could say anything else, Usagi said softly, [I'm really
sorry, Onee-chan.] Looking at the ground for a moment, she added, [I
know you care a lot about Senji-kun. I was wrong. Gomen nasai.]
Walking over to Usagi, Misako smiled and said, [That's all right,
Imouto. I took it the wrong way.] She then braced as the larger girl
hugged her tightly. [I think you should cheer up though. We have two
things to do.]
[Nani?] Usagi questioned as she let the hug go and wiped at her tears.
[One, finish the story... together.] Usagi smiled and sniffled. [And
two, eat these.] With a flourish, Misako then presented the bag of
triple chocolate fudge brownies. Usagi's eyes bulged in surprise.
[Where'd you find that?!?] Usagi demanded, her stomach rumbling in
anticipation. She had been looking for that secret stash for the past
week.
[Never mind, 'Sagi-chan,] Misako replied and giggled as Usagi pouted.
[So what have you done?] Nervously Usagi retrieved the pad and pencil as
the sat down on the floor. She resisted opening the bag while Misako was
reading. Occasionally Misako would giggle but a frown started to appear
when she neared the bottom.
[Miko-chan?] Usagi asked meekly when she saw the frown deepen to a
scowl.
Sailor Sun walked over and carefully lifted the wailing child.
As she cradled the infant in her arms, baby Nephrite calmed
and shifted, trying to get close to her. A piece of oddly
colored stone lay at her feet, unseen.
"Awww... that's so kawaii!" Sailor Moon said softly, "So what
do we do with him?"
"I'll keep him," Sailor Sun answered softly, "I know at one
time he was evil but I think with the proper care and love, he
will grow into someone respectable." Umino walked slowly over
a nervous look on his face. "Don't worry," Sailor Sun said as
she reached out a hand and drew him into a kiss, "You are
still my true love, Umino-chan. But now, we can help Nephrite
finally break the bonds of darkness that held him for so long
until the very end."
"This is so cool!" Sailor Moon squealed, "Now the Dark Kingdom
won't be able to stand up against us with Sailor Sun on our
side."
[Sailor Sun?!?] Misako demanded, [There's NO SAILOR SENSHI OF THE SUN!]
[You can change it,] Usagi squeaked out. Misako could do anything as
long as she stayed... It wouldn't hurt if she didn't take away the
brownies as well. Misako sighed and turned her attention to the pad.
That's when the sky turned an inky purple, blotting out the
Sun. From above, a voice thundered, "THERE IS NO SAILOR SUN!"
There seemed to be a giggling voice in the background as well.
Before any of the Senshi could do anything, a bolt of purple
energy streaked from the heavens and crashed into earth.
Blinding light flared, enveloping everything.
Sailor Moon blinked for a moment, before saying, "Awww...
that's so kawaii! So what do we do with him?"
"I'll keep him," Naru suggested softly as she cradled Nephrite
in her arms, "I know at one time he was evil but he did love
me. I think with the proper care and love, he will grow into
someone respectable." Umino walked slowly over a nervous look
on his face. "Don't worry, even though the Senshi saved my
life," Naru said as she reached out a hand and drew him into a
kiss, "You are still my true love, Umino-chan. But now we can
help Nephrite finally break the bonds of darkness that held
him for so long until the very end." <Umino and I will give
you a good home, my musuko.>
"Heads up!" Mars shouted as she saw a blue armored figure
running towards them. "Naru, get out of the way!" Naru quickly
complied and scrambled to the side with baby Nephrite and
Umino in tow.
"PINK CUDDLY BUNNY LIGHT!" the armored figure shouted as he
drew his ornate sword. Its hilt glistened with gold and
silver, while diamonds and sapphires studded its hand guard.
The blade was honed sharp, polished to a brilliance and seemed
to glow a soft lavender color. Turning the side of the blade
towards the Senshi, a pink light emanated out, blinding them
temporarily. Mars and Mercury snarled curses while Sailor Moon
staggered into Venus and promptly, knocked both of them over.
"NOW YOU PAY!!!!" Mars yelled. She squinted, trying to figure
out which fuzzy image was her target. <There you are!> It was
the only fuzzy figure bent over, as if reaching for something.
"MARS... FLAME SNIPER!" She was satisfied to hear a cry of
pain a few moments later as her attack slammed into the
figure.
<There it is!> Obsidian thought as he reached for the piece of
the Guardian Earth Stone that had dropped from the once mighty
General. <Macavity will be pleased!> That's when a burning
pain shot through his shoulder, staggering him backwards as he
cried out.
"LUNAR BUNNY CUDDLY KISS!" a pained voice replied. Mars
gulped, she couldn't see well enough to attack the bunny
construct. <Retreat!> he thought, backing up and somehow
toppling over Venus and Moon who had still been in the process
of getting up. He rose to his feet only to hear another attack
phrase.
"MERCURY... AQUA RHAPSODY!" his opponent swore as her attack
hit him, sending him flying backwards. Her vision was clearing
enough to do another attack but she ran out of time as a giant
blue bunny appeared in front of her. She gave a startled cry
as the bunny wrapped its arms around her. She did the only
thing she could think of, kick it!
Jupiter wasn't sure which was more unbelievable: that a giant
blue bunny had attacked Mercury or that Mercury's kick had
actually worked the way it was intended. Both tuxedo-clad men
winced and turned away.
"You Senshi are really annoying," the blue armored figure
stated, "Except the kawaii one."
"Oh, he likes me!" Sailor Moon's muffled voice called out.
"I was talking about Jupiter!" The resulting flood of tears
from Sailor Moon easily covered the armored figure's escape,
even if he was moving with evident pain.
Jupiter for her part stared after the armor-clad figure and
sighed. "What a hunky guy!" Jupiter murmured dreamily, "And
he's got that really cool sword too!"
Mamoru sighed as he and Will walked behind the squabbling
Senshi. "This is just great, Onii-san," he murmured softly, "I
guess I'm going to need to go shopping tomorrow."
"Why?" Will asked.
"Because Usagi's upset and she'll likely go on an eating binge
and clear out everything in my apartment."
"We could go back to the mansion, Otouto," Will offered.
Mamoru grimaced so Will added, "Besides Terra needs to know
what's happening."
"That's the problem. I don't think Terra being there will
solve anything. Usagi's in one of these snit fits again.
It'll take months for her to get over Terra being around."
Just then, a wad of paper bounced off his head. Will snickered
and chuckled even more as Mamoru gave him a sour look. "This
better not be what I think it is."
"And that is?" Will asked.
"A test Usagi flunked." After picking up the paper, he opened
it. As he read it, his eyes grew wide with shock. Slowly he
shook his head in disbelief. "I guess we can go to the mansion
now."
"What about Terra?" Will asked.
"I don't think that will be a problem, Will-san," Mamoru
replied as he handed his brother the note.
"Give us the Guardian Earth Stone piece, or you will never see
Terra again," Will read softly. They looked at each other for
a long moment before beginning to run, easily overtaking and
passing the Senshi.
End of Chapter 4
Coming next in Chapter 5 - Quenchable Love