Part 6  "Chad's Day in the Spotlight"

        Reenie sighed silently. She was supposed to be listening
attentively to her teacher but her mind kept wandering. Usually she
could pay attention but not today. Today she had other worries.
<Serena's acting really weird,> Reenie thought, <I mean she asked me why
I was treating her so nicely... Why wouldn't I treat her nicely?!? She's
my little sister and I love her.> Her brow furled subconsciously,
<I like to pretend that I'm big but Serena took it a little far today.
I thought she liked that we both go to the same school. Why would she
want to go to a different school? And a junior high one at that!>
        "Reenie!" the teacher's voice brought her abruptly back to
reality.
        "Huh?!?" Reenie looked around and started to blush as the class
giggled. She realized she'd let her mind wander again and her teacher
was looking at her with an exasperated expression on her face.
        "Is something the matter?"
        "No, Ma'am," Reenie answered sheepishly. <How could I explain
being worried about Serena? She wouldn't understand.>
        "Then please pay attention. If you do need to daydream, at least
stop making faces. It's rather distracting."
        Guilty, nodding, Reenie sat up straighter at her desk. She
managed to concentrate for a short time before her worries pushed any
thought of school aside once again. As the time passed she found herself
glancing at the clock. After a torturous hour, it finally showed that it
was time to go. She hurriedly packed up and dashed out of the school
headed for the Tsukino home. Then something occurred to her.
        <Darien!> Reenie suddenly realized, <Serena's acting weird
because of Darien! Why didn't I think of it sooner?> A little relieved
that she had managed to figure out what had been bothering Serena,
Reenie quickly made her way towards Darien's apartment.

        Darien tossed and turned as he slept. It was the same nightmare.
The one that had haunted him every time he tried to sleep. A voice
demanded that he stay away from Serena or something terrible would
happen to her. He was never able to stop it or fight back. It would run
completely through chilling him to the bone.
        It was always the same at the end; Darien awoke with a start and
sat up, sweating. Swinging his feet over the edge of his bed he cupped
his face in his hands for a moment to try and get some calmness.
        <I remember in the Moon Kingdom you were so beautiful, My
Princess. You were an adult just a little younger than me,> Darien
thought, <Then the Negaverse attacked. I unknowingly searched for you in
this new lifetime. I hoped to find you a little younger or the same age
in this time. We could still have married without much wait. But now...
What happened? Why did the Silver Crystal reincarnate you and the other
Sailor Scouts as children while leaving me an adult?> This had bothered
Darien for some time. He took it in stride and had become a second
father to little Serena. And when Reenie arrived she was like another
daughter.
        Despite his mood Darien smiled. The three of them had some good
times. That is until the nightmares forced him away. Darien sighed
pushing himself off the bed and getting dressed. <At first you were just
some whiny bratty kid... Something always drew me to you, to protect
you. Then once I regained my memories again... But now even though I
know you are Sailor Moon and the Moon Princess I knew and loved so long
ago, I don't think you would understand. Even if you weren't so young,
how could I tell you the truth?> After a few more moments Darien heard a
knock at the door.
        "Reenie!" Darien called after opening the door and finding the
little girl standing there. He was happy to see her and it helped even
more that Serena wasn't with her.
        "Darien!" Reenie called. Bounding into his arms, she hugged
Darien's neck. Darien hugged her back and shut the door. Carrying her
over to the sofa he set her down before sitting down himself.
        "So what's up?"
        "Something's wrong with Serena," Reenie said letting her worry
show through.
        "What's wrong?" Darien asked, feeling a slight buildup of worry
himself. <Is she hurt?>
        "Serena's acting strange. I think it's because of you."
        "I can't see her, Reenie," Darien stated flatly losing his
worried tone. He set his face into a stern expression. <Please don't ask
why? It hurts too much...>
        "But Darien... What did Serena do? The three of us used to have
so much fun together. We went to the park and the zoo. Then you stopped
coming over." Reenie's worried expression deepened as she almost
whispered out, "Darien, did I do something wrong? Are you mad at me?
I'll stay away so you can see Serena."
        "Reenie..." Darien started, his voice had lost its edge when he
continued, "No, you wouldn't understand."
        "But Serena's MY little sister. I don't like to see her sad."
        "I don't like to see her sad either," Darien admitted, "But I
can't see Serena, Reenie. I'm sorry."
        <Serena's going to need me,> Reenie thought. "I should go..."
She could feel a lump starting to form in her throat. <I can't cry in
front of Darien... I need to be brave so I can help Serena.>
        Walking her over to the door Darien said, "Yeah... okay Reenie,
see ya later." <Won't you stay, please?>
        "Good-bye, Darien," Reenie called before sprinting down the
hall.
        "Good-bye," Darien called after her before closing the door.
<I'm so sorry Serena,> he thought as a single tear slid down his cheek.

        Raye was not a happy camper. In fact as she lay on her bed after
supper, head buried under a pillow to block out Chad's singing, her mood
darkened. <Grandpa's gone insane!> Raye thought, <Not to mention that
pervert Chad!> The night before Raye had been put to bed promptly at
seven. Her grandfather wouldn't hear any protests about it. <I hate
being in a five year old body!>
        Tossing the pillow aside Raye got up and wandered over to her
closet and started looking through her clothes. <Well at least I have
SOME clothes that look good,> she thought while wincing at the continued
"noise" coming from Chad's room. "Why's my room next to his anyway?!"
Raye mumbled to herself while rooting through her dresser. Most of her
clothes were red with the occasional odd color tossed in. However,
looking at the clothes brought back more memories of events earlier that
day.
        <That pervert Chad!> Raye had not been pleased that morning when
he had come in, woken her up, and started to help her into her school
uniform. <The only thing that saved him was I was too sleepy...> Raye
walked back over to her bed and flopped down. <At least he made me my
meals.> Although his cooking was not as fancy as Lita's, Chad was a
passable cook.
        <Why won't they let me into the Great Fire Room without one of
THEM around?!> That was another annoyance she had found out. After
coming home from school Raye had wanted to do a fire reading. However,
Grandpa Hino, upon finding her alone next to the Great Fire, had scolded
Raye and told her she shouldn't play in that room especially by herself.
<He thought I was playing?! He's gone senile!> Under severe protest from
Raye, her grandfather had managed to get her out of the room before
closing and locking the doors.
        Rolling over on to her stomach, Raye reached under her bed.
<Maybe a comic can get me to relax.> She reached down to where she
usually kept them but her hand hit nothing but air. Frowning slightly,
Raye slid forward to reach further under her bed but again she came up
empty handed.
        <Where are they?> Raye thought, <This is all I need...> Getting
off her bed Raye squatted down and looked. "What!?!" she screeched with
some surprise as she noticed that her nice orderly pile of comic books
was gone. "Where are they?! I bet that Meatball Head stole them!" She
could feel the anger starting to well up within her. Going over to her
closet she started digging through it throwing toys and other objects
aside in her search. "Maybe I hid them again and just forgot... Serena
might like to read them but she's no thief."
        Breathing hard and flushed with anger Raye stomped around her
room looking for her comic books. "WHERE ARE THEY?!" she finally yelled
after several frustrating minutes of searching.
        "Where's what, Raye?!?" Then Chad glanced around her room, "And
what did you do to your room?!?"
        Spinning around Raye saw Chad standing in the doorway. Suddenly
for some strange reason her anger lessened. "My comics. I can't find
them."
        A puzzled look came across Chad's face, "But Raye, you don't
have any comic books." <Dolls yes but comic books?!>
        "What?!?" Raye demanded, "Who took them?!?"
        <Man, she's really acting weird. Like this morning. Well she IS
growing up. Where did she learn some of those words?>
        Chad had at first detested the responsibility that Raye's
grandfather had forced upon him. He had wanted to come to the Cherry
Hill Temple to train as an acolyte, to find some peace in his life, and
to get inspiration for his music, not to look after a troubled four year
old girl. Grandpa Hino insisted it would give Chad the discipline he
needed in his life. But as time passed, he had grown to feel like Raye's
father or more precisely her `big brother'. He was careful to keep the
distinction around Raye. Big brothers don't abandon you, fathers do. At
least in Raye's opinion that's how it went.
        He was genuinely fond of the little girl. He discovered that
Raye's real father had practically abandoned Raye at her grandfather's
temple to pursue his political career after her mother died. Grandpa
Hino took care of the little Raye for about a year before Chad arrived.
However, now Chad looked after Raye most of the time along with his
other duties while her grandfather ran the temple.
        "Chill out Raye, no one took them. Maybe when you get into first
grade, we'll see if we can get you a couple. Okay?"
        Raye's brain decided that her emotions were getting out of hand.
<I won't be around long enough to get into first grade. Amy, you better
have a fix soon! I don't know if I can stand this much longer!> Raye
thought. "Okay Chad," Raye squeaked.
        "Now let's get this place cleaned up." Nodding Raye started to
pick up the clothes and toys tossed about the room. She could feel
herself blushing, <I threw a temper tantrum. I can't believe it! I'm
sure glad Serena wasn't here.>

        Soon the room was tidy again. Chad smiled slightly, "Now then
that looks a lot better. You're a good helper."
        Raye suppressed the urge to make gagging noises, "So why'd you
come in here anyway?" <What does he want now?! He hasn't given me a
moment's peace.>
        Chad walked over to the dresser and pulled out some panties and
a set of red pajamas. Then walking over to the closet got out a set of
red slippers. He walked over and set them down on the bed. Before Chad
could say anything Raye grimaced and stated, "I'm not gonna wear those!"
Raye added with some disgust, "I don't like those pajamas and those
slippers are..."
        "What's wrong with the slippers?" Chad asked, he could feel a
headache coming on. <She's using words today I've never heard her use
before...>
        "Well the PJs aren't too bad... But those slippers have to go."
<I won't mention the panties. No one will see those at least.>
        Chad glanced at the slippers. They were red fuzzy ones with a
picture of Barbie on each. "But Raye, you just picked these out a couple
of days ago."
        Raye took on a surprised look, <Darn!> "I did?!?"
        Chad stood silently for a long moment before saying, "Yes, we
were in the mall, remember?" Raye just stared at Chad, "You really
wanted them." <You wouldn't let me leave without getting them for you.>
Raye just looked at the garments as if not quite believing it. "Come on,
we need to get your bath and then I can read you a nice story before
bed."
        "I don't want a bath!" Raye yelled, "I'M CLEAN!!!"
        "Raye... I told you yesterday that you'd have to take a bath
tonight."
        Shifting her stance to a defiant one, Raye crossed her arms and
stated, "I'm NOT taking a bath!"
        "Raye," Chad said in a sterner tone, "You're going to have to
take a bath." Chad motioned for Raye to precede him but she refused to
move. "Raye, will you PLEASE come and take your bath? You'd do that for
`big brother', wouldn't you?" His hopes of a peaceful resolution died as
a look of disgust appeared on Raye's face.
        Hopping up on her bed so she was roughly at eye level with Chad,
she snarled out, "I said I'm NOT going to take a bath! And YOU are NOT
my big brother!"
        Dropping his voice Chad responded in a quieter tone, "Raye, if
you don't come with me right now, I'll carry you to the furo."
        "You wouldn't dare!" Raye replied trying to match the stern gaze
that Chad was using. Raye jumped off the bed for more mobility, <Better
be ready... He actually might have the guts to try it.>
        Giving a shrug Chad reached out towards Raye but she backpedaled
before darting quickly between his legs, then sped out of the room. Chad
froze for a moment in shock. <That was sneaky!> he thought as he turned
to give chase after Raye. Coming out into the hall he didn't see her.
<Which way did she go?> he thought before setting off to the left down
the hall.

        "RAYE!" Chad called sternly as he spotted the little girl
dashing outside. <She's avoided me for five minutes...> Chad stopped for
a moment, <That would make a good song title.> Giving himself a shake
for becoming distracted, he started running after Raye. His longer legs
soon caught up with her. Picking her up and tucking her under his arm,
he proceeded back into the temple and then to where the furo was.
        "LET ME GO!!!" Raye howled in protest. She flailed at him with
her arms and legs, "I said I don't want a bath!" No matter what she
tried her small body was weaker than her regular one. <Well there's one
sure `fire' way to make him drop me,> Raye thought evilly but before she
could act on the impulse, they were inside the room containing the furo.
She then found herself being placed on the ground. <He's blocking the
door!> Raye thought darkly.
        "Raye, it's time for your bath," Chad stated again.
        "Fine," she answered in a sulky voice, "I'll take a bath.
Happy?" Chad just stood there, "Well?"
        "What?" Chad asked. <Man, I know she's fussy about getting her
hair washed but this?!?>
        "You can LEAVE!" Raye demanded, "I'm not taking a bath with YOU
here."
        "Raye, I don't want a fight but I can't leave you alone," Chad
remarked. <Last time she conned me into letting her bathe alone, she
really whacked her head. It scared me to death and Grandpa too.>
        Raye's eyes became wide, "YOU PERVERT!" Chad blinked before
taking on an angry expression, "Now I know why you want me to take a
bath! Oh I thought you were sick this morning but this is even worse!"
        "Young lady, that's not a word that either I or your grandfather
approves of." Chad bent down to look at her, "Raye, I just don't want
you to get hurt like last time."
        "You just want to see me naked!" Raye countered. <That pig! Wait
till I get back to normal; are you ever going to regret it!>
        <Strange her being shy all of a sudden. I don't want a fight...
Maybe if I compromised.> "What if I turned my head?" Chad offered.
        "Forget it, buddy." Raye once again took on a defiant air and
stuck her tongue out at Chad.
        Heaving a sigh Chad insisted, "Raye, please get undressed. You
have to take a bath and I'm not going to leave the room. If you don't
want me to look, I won't look."
        Raye gave this some consideration. "Okay," she squeaked trying
to put on a believable air. <You just wait, Chad... Oh this is going to
be so good.> "Promise not to look?"
        "I promise," Chad agreed and turned to face the door.
        Raye gave an evil grin, <Sucker!> Softly padding over to the
washing stall, she took the flexible shower head and aimed it at Chad.
Trying to make the sounds of getting undressed, Raye put a kink in the
hose before turning on the cold water to full.
        "How are you doing?" Chad asked. <I don't hear any water
running.>
        "Okay... Chad?" Raye responded. <Okay, now to get him to turn
around.>
        "Yes Raye?"
        "Um... could you wash my back?"
        "But I thought you didn't want me to look?"
        <Idiot!> Raye thought. "But it's hard to reach."
        Chad started to turn around, "Okay, if your..." Chad was cut off
as an icy stream of cold water hit him full in the face. He gasped and
spluttered trying to get over the shock and get his breath back. "Raye,
what are you..." His sentence trailed off into angry mumbling as Raye
giggled with delight and repositioned the shower head. She then gave a
yelp of surprise as Chad took three long steps, grabbed the shower head,
and turned off the water.
        "Ummm... it was an accident," Raye innocently told him but she
couldn't help but giggle at the sight of a very soggy Chad.
        "That is it, Raye!" Chad's tone and posture made Raye
involuntarily gulp. "You'll have no bedtime story tonight." Placing the
shower head back in its holder out of Raye's reach, he started to remove
Raye's clothes. She was at first very surprised and then started to
protest angrily. Chad simply ignored her and went about his work.
Gently picking her up, he placed her in the furo. Raye's fighting
stopped for a moment as the warm water made contact with her skin. <Well
if she isn't going to wash, then I'll have to.> Chad grimaced, <I'll
have to empty and clean this thing before tomorrow. Grandpa might want
to use it. I know I need to have a bath too.>
        "You PERVERT!!!" Raye screeched, her other protests were muffled
out as Chad grabbed a washcloth and began to wash her face and neck.
After completing that task, he snagged the soft sponge backbrush. He
soaped it well before starting to scrub the rest of Raye. Through this
Raye kept up her struggles to battle what to her way of thinking was a
very perverted guy. Soon, though, Chad seemed to be finished.
        "Raye, it's almost done. We just have to do your hair."
        "I WANT OUT!!!" Raye howled, hot fresh tears springing unnoticed
from her eyes.
        "Crying won't help. I said no bedtime story and I meant it. Now
hold still, Raye, so I don't get any shampoo in your eyes."
        Raye froze. She could suddenly feel her eyes brimming with
tears. <I'm crying and HE made me do it?!?> Raye thought angrily, <I'm
acting just like Serena!> This just caused Raye to struggle even more.
        "Raye, if you don't settle down, I'll have to spank you," Chad
warned as he stopped the shampoo bottle from falling into the furo.
        "Oh yeah?!?" Raye challenged, "Well, Mr. Tough Guy, you can take
that threat and stick it where the sun don't shine!!!"
        The surprised look that crossed Chad's face made Raye smile. But
she soon lost it when Chad lifted her out of the furo. He placed her in
the stall before rinsing the remaining shampoo and soap off of her.
Next, grabbing a large bath towel, Chad quickly and silently dried Raye
off.
        "Chad?" Raye asked. Something, a feeling, that was unfamiliar to
her started to make itself known. It wasn't fear, or at least any fear
that Raye had known but it grew more intense as Chad didn't respond.
After drying her Chad bundled her up in the towel and carried her to her
room. "Oh come on, Chad," Raye started to protest but the tension that
was in the air made her reconsider. After entering her room Chad closed
the door solidly behind him. He walked over to her bed and picked up her
panties and pajamas and proceeded to dress her in them. She only gave
minor protests. This very unusual sensation was nearly paralyzing her.
<What's going on?!? I feel really strange...>
        "Raye," Chad finally spoke causing her to jump slightly, "Raye,
you acted very badly. Your grandfather and I do not like the words that
you were using. Do you know what they mean?" Raye lowered her head as a
little guilt made its way into her head. "I tried to give you all the
chances I could."
        Raye's head snapped up and she glared at Chad, "You aren't going
to make me feel guilty. You and Grandpa are both insane!"
        What Chad did next took Raye by complete surprise. Picking her
up he laid her on her stomach across his lap. She was about to ask what
he thought he was doing when the first swat landed on her bottom. Giving
a squeal of protest. She tried to wriggle away from him but he was
holding on to her. A second swat landed.
        "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!" Raye demanded angrily. She could feel
tears starting to form in her eyes. Chad was silent. <I won't give him
the satisfaction of making me cry again!> Gritting her teeth, she
started to flail with her legs and arms desperately trying to get away
from Chad. However, when the third swat landed, Raye lost what little of
her control remained and she started to wail.
        Chad gave her two more swats and it was over with. <I'm sorry,
Raye. I don't like to punish you,> he thought sadly as he gently placed
the now bawling little girl into her bed. Pulling up the covers he
gently started to rub her back. <I hope you'll understand...>
        "GET OUT!!!" Raye managed to choke out through her sobs. Chad
slowly got up, turned off the light, and walked to the door.
        "Good night, Raye. Maybe tomorrow will be better." His only
response was her crying. Giving a sigh he switched the nightlight on
before pulling the door to where it was almost closed.
        <Hit me will you! You just wait!> Raye thought darkly, <I'll
have my revenge!>

        When Chad came out of the room he saw Grandpa Hino standing in
the hallway. Silently both men walked into the dining area. Sitting down
at the table Chad sighed.
        "She'll get over it, Chad. I could hear what she was saying from
my room," Grandpa Hino said, "Maybe tomorrow I can get her to talk to
me. You two were starting to work it out. Her behavior was slowly
improving." <Something must of happened to her yesterday for such a
sudden change.>
        "Yeah, but why do I feel so badly then?" <She hates me.>
        A brief smile played across the older man's face, "Because you,
like me, care about Raye and don't like to see her upset or hurt." He
patted Chad's shoulder, "Don't worry... sooner or later Raye will want
comfort and I've never known you not to provide that to her." <More than
I can say about that worthless son-in-law of mine!>

Coming next:  ACS Part 7  "Sisters"