Part 4:  The Coming Darkness

Dawn arrived in the City of Tokyo. The sunshine first peeked through the
bunny head curtains over the windowsill and then slowly filled Usagi's
bedroom. It crept quietly over the three sleeping figures in the bed.

Luna as usual was the first to wake; she looked around the room and
noticed that Chibi-Usa had a rather large grin on her face. <I've never
before seen the child so content. She's been such a terror lately, it's
a pity she has to wake up and spoil it for me.>

After a few minutes Chibi-Usa woke up, slowly at first.  She blinked to
try and get the sleep out of her eyes. She glanced over to Usagi
sleeping peacefully beside her. <I'm so lucky to have Onee-san here with
me.> Chibi-Usa was nice and warm. She hadn't felt this secure since
she'd left Crystal Tokyo. <Mommy will like Usagi, I know it. I hope it
won't be long before she helps me save her.> She glanced at the clock
and saw that it was still quite early.

<Everybody's still asleep... But I'm wide awake,> Chibi-Usa thought and
watched the rising and lowering of Usagi's chest as the older girl slept
soundly. Chibi-Usa felt content just quietly watching Usagi for awhile.
Finally she decided she should get out of bed. <I don't want to wake
anybody up especially Usagi,> Chibi-Usa thought and with that started to
slowly pull herself out of Usagi's bed. Luna watched in disbelief. She'd
never seen Chibi-Usa so considerate of Usagi before.

Usagi continuing her slumber undisturbed was foremost in Chibi-Usa's
thoughts so as quietly as she could, Chibi-Usa left the room and went
into the bathroom.  After a few minutes Chibi-Usa came back out and saw
a rather groggy looking Ikuko just stumbling from her room.

The little girl took on a pensive look walking towards Ikuko slowly. She
whispered, "Ikuko-mama? Did I wake you up? Gomen."

Ikuko looked bleary eyed as Chibi-Usa for several seconds before shaking
her head, "Chibi-Usa-chan, what are you doing up this early?"

Chibi-Usa considered this, "I just woke up," she answered honestly, "I
promise I'll be quiet." <I hope she isn't mad at me.>

Ikuko yawned and patted Chibi-Usa on top of her head. This brought a
smile to Chibi-Usa's face. She hugged Ikuko's leg in return and then
quietly skipped back into Usagi's room to get dressed. <I remember Usagi
being like that when she was little,> Ikuko reminisced, <Pity they have
to grow up. Now I have to go through it again.>

Unheard by Chibi-Usa, Ikuko muttered grumpily about the loss of her
private time to wake up in the morning before entering the bathroom.

                                  ******

Chibi-Usa was sitting quietly on the floor of Usagi's room reading a
children's book trying hard not to giggle loudly when Usagi's alarm
clock went off. Chibi-Usa gave a yelp of surprise and another yelp when
a well placed pillow arced through the air and neatly silenced the
alarm. <Great, Onee-san will get up now. Maybe she'll read to me before
we go to school.>

Chibi-Usa gathered up her book and started for the door, when she turned
back however she saw that Usagi was not getting up.  A small frown
creased her forehead; walking over she gently tapped Usagi.

"Onee-san?" The lump hiding under the covers mumbled something
incoherent. Chibi-Usa was starting to worry. "Onee-san, are you okay?"

The grumpy face of Usagi made an appearance and glared at Chibi-Usa
before disappearing again under a pillow. <She'll be late for school...>
Chibi-Usa reasoned and gave Usagi a firmer push while saying, "Please
Onee-san, you'll be late for school! It's time to get up!" <Maybe she's
sick.>

The growl that was emanated from the covers made Chibi-Usa take a step
back. It sounded more like an animal than a teenage girl. <If she isn't
sick, then she has to go to school and if she doesn't get up now, then
she can't walk me to school...> Resolved that Usagi would walked her to
school, Chibi-Usa took another step forward and shoved harder saying in
a louder voice, "Usagi-san, it's time to wake up... Please!"

Luna had been watching with this with some reservation. <What's wrong
with her? Does she have a death wish?> Luna thought, then backed up
several feet as the covers suddenly heaved and a rather irate Usagi
glared down at Chibi-Usa.

"Listen here, spore!" Usagi started, "I'll get up when I'm good and
ready!"

Chibi-Usa's reaction was not what Luna had expected it would be. The
child sniffled at first and turned away. <What have I done? I thought
Usagi liked me...> Tears were forming in her eyes. This only seemed to
irritate Usagi even more she moved to grab Chibi-Usa but what she said
stopped Usagi dead in her tracks, "You don't really like me, do you?!?"

<Nani?> Usagi paused, a look of confusion coming across her face.
"Chibi-Usa-chan, of course I like you..." Usagi retorted, her mental
capacity was not at its best this early in the morning so she was slow
realizing what had just happened. <Wait... That's right... I healed
her... She's a nice little girl now.>

There was another silence before Chibi-Usa asked, "Then why'd you call
me `spore'?" Chibi-Usa asked while sniffling again. <Why did I make her
so mad?>

Turning Chibi-Usa to face her, Usagi looked at the little girl and said,
"I'm sorry for calling you a spore... Gomen. I didn't mean to do it. Now
why were you trying to wake me up... Imouto?" Usagi managed a smile.

<Maybe she was just thinking about the bad things I did before. That's
it. Usagi DOES like me, I know it.> Chibi-Usa considered Usagi's apology
for a little bit before replying, "Onee-san... I wanted you to walk me
to school..." She gave Usagi a quick hug.

Usagi looked at the clock and then back and to Chibi-Usa. <Look at those
eyes. How can I say no?> Suppressing a grimace she said, "Okay... But we
need to get ready." <Kami-sama, my heart isn't even started this early.>

Chibi-Usa nodded and proceeded to get dressed but kept a watchful eye on
Usagi who was constantly mumbling under her breath.

                                  ******

Chibi-Usa leisurely stretched out and looked at the clock, <Hmm... Ten
o'clock. Good... I'll do a little shopping and then setup my trap for
that baka Shingo. And then I have something `extra special' planned for
Usagi.> She continued to think about Usagi, <Hmm... Usagi... That's not
right for that baka. She doesn't deserve it.> Chibi-Usa made a face as
she slipped out of bed. <Usagi's MY name...> Then a slow smile spread
across her face, "Chibi-Usa? I'll call that BAKA ODANGO ATAMA
`Chibi-Usa'!"

She reached for her school fuku and grimaced. <I won't be going to
school today.> Tossing it aside into a corner Chibi-Usa put on the red
dress she had gotten the day before.

After taking care of necessities Chibi-Usa slipped quietly down the
stairs while constantly keeping a lookout for Ikuko.  Seeing the
bothersome grownup absent Chibi-Usa quietly slipped out of the door.
<I'll be eating out for breakfast...>  Making sure Luna-P was with her
Chibi-Usa started off down the street, the dress causing quite a stir as
older people looked at the youngster who was making like an adult. <The
peasants know a real woman when they see one.>

                                  ******

Chibi-Usa's shopping trip was cut short sometime around two o'clock that
afternoon by a truant officer who came stocking towards her.

"Why aren't you in school, little girl? Where are your parents?" the
officer demanded.

Chibi-Usa gave started to brush by him but he reached out and snagged
her arm, "Let go of me you oversized gorilla! I am a princess. Commoners
like you may not touch royalty!"

The man didn't let go but said sarcastically, "Oh? Princess eh?  Well
`Your Highness', let's just see what your parents say about it... Now
where are they?!"

Chibi-Usa frowned severely, "Let go of me you great blundering ass!
Luna-P!!!"

With the cry of outrage Luna-P bolted forward and smacked the man right
in his face. He began to fall backwards from the shock of the impact.
<How dare he touch royalty. He should be honored I even addressed him.>
Chibi-Usa wasn't finished. For good measure and for a bit of revenge,
Chibi-Usa took her umbrella (she had "acquired" to go with her outfit)
and drove it into the truant officer's groin. He did the expected thing
and crumpled to the ground without a sound obviously in considerable
pain.

The crowd who had observed this child's shocking behavior became rather
vocal about it. Two burly women started towards Chibi-Usa but with
Luna-P's help, she managed to avoid them. <These people should learn how
to properly treat royalty.> Noting the time she took off for the Tsukino
home to setup her trap for Shingo.

                                  ******

Usagi was happy, tired, but happy. She turned the final corner and found
Chibi-Usa waiting for her outside the school entrance. As soon as
Chibi-Usa saw her, she yelled happily, "Onee-san!" and darted forward.
When she got to Usagi, she hugged her legs nearly tripping Usagi in the
process.

Chibi-Usa was acting the way she had always dreamed. "I'm glad to see
you too, Imouto," Usagi said elated, "I'm going to take you home and
then I'm going over to Rei's."

"Onee-san, can I come too?" Chibi-Usa asked looking hopeful. <I don't
want to be alone.>

"Gomen, Chibi-Usa-chan, but I think it would be better if I went by
myself."

"I'll be good! I promise!" Chibi-Usa said determinedly. <I have to prove
to her that I can be good!>

<Well... This concern's her...> Usagi thought, <Let's see how well
she'll listen to me.>  "I said no, Chibi-Usa-chan," seeing the dejected
look Usagi continued, "but if you're good today, I'll take you to the
park tomorrow, okay?"

"Hai! I'll be extra good." Taking Usagi's hand they started their walk
home.

                                  ******

Chibi-Usa sat on Shingo's bed waiting for him to come in.  She looked at
the bucket above the door. <That was a bitch to get up there...>
Chibi-Usa thought, <He should be honored that I put in so much effort
into this... especially stooping to get that cheap perfume.> She
chuckled with the thought.

As if that thought was a cue Shingo walked into his room. The door
opened the bucket fell and spilled its contents over Shingo. Chibi-Usa
chuckled again and took out the new camera she'd also gotten today. She
snapped a picture of this spectacle.

"What the HELL's going on in here?!" Shingo demanded trying to get the
large bucket off his head, "And what is that smell!?!?"

This just caused Chibi-Usa to laugh harder. When Shingo lifted the
bucket off his head the look he sent Chibi-Usa would have killed. At
that instant, Chibi-Usa snapped another picture of the outraged Shingo.
It became too hilarious so Chibi-Usa rolled around on the floor. The
initial shock wore off and Shingo started to head toward Chibi-Usa.
Seeing him, she took off running.

"Get back here, spore!"

"Hey, do it again, I need some more pictures!" Chibi-Usa shot back as
she scampered through the kitchen and ran out the door.

Shingo came down the steps and neatly slid across the kitchen floor as
soon as his wet slippers made contact with the freshly waxed floor.
Giving a yelp Shingo tried to remain upright but only managed to fall
heavily to the floor.

"What's going on?!?" Ikuko demanded as she came down the stairs and saw
Shingo scrambling to get up while sputtering curses.

"She... she..."  Shingo managed to haul himself up and started towards
the door.

"`She' who?  Usagi?" Ikuko questioned, <I've never seen him act like
this before...>

"No that SPORE, Chibi-Usa!"

Chibi-Usa was long gone. She had sped out of the kitchen and ducked
around the side of the house figuring that any pursuer would go out into
the street to look. <That was pretty good... Should have used that on
`Chibi-Usa',> Chibi-Usa thought.  Slipping over the wall into the
neighbor's yard Chibi-Usa considered her next move, it had to be big...
<Well maybe after supper.>

Unseen by fleeing Chibi-Usa, Usagi came walking into the yard with
Chibi-Usa chattering about her pleasant school day. They entered into
the house to a rather curious scene.

"There you are!" Shingo yelled and lunged to grapple Chibi-Usa. <How'd
she change clothes so fast?>

The little girl in fright ducked behind Usagi and wrinkled her nose, <He
smell's like... stinky perfume.>  She made a face at the horrible smell.

Usagi was rather blunt, "Shingo, you stink!  Get away from us!" Taking
this opportunity Usagi added, "On the other hand, considering what you
usually smell like, it's an improvement." Usagi began to laugh until
her mother's gaze caused her to think better of it.

"That wasn't very nice, Onee-san," came the small voice of Chibi-Usa
poking her head out from behind Usagi.

"She's the one that did this to me!" Shingo howled and tried to go after
Chibi-Usa. Usagi was in his way though so he only managed to collide
with his sister.

"Chibi-Usa, is this true?" Ikuko asked sternly crossing her arms.

"Iie!" Chibi-Usa said horrified, "I would never do anything to
Shingo-kun like that..." <I'd use better smelling stuff,> Chibi-Usa
blinked, <Where did that come from? No wonder Usagi thinks I'm still
bad. I should be ashamed of myself.>

"Yeah I walked her home from school," Usagi explained, "Honest Mom, I
don't think she'd do something like this."

Ikuko considered Usagi's words for a few moments before looking directly
at Chibi-Usa, "Chibi-Usa, I'm only going to ask you once more... did you
do this?"

"No, Ikuko-mama."

"Alright, I believe you since you were honest with me yesterday."
Turning to Shingo, Ikuko said, "You, young man, will be doing a large
amount of cleaning... and explaining."

                                  ******

"Who on earth bought you that!?!" Mamoru demanded.  He was staring at
Chibi-Usa in a dress not very appropriate for a child of her age.  In
fact, it wouldn't be appropriate for even someone Usagi's age.

"Like it, Mamo-chan?" Chibi-Usa asked while batting her eyebrows, "I
picked it out especially for you."

"Chibi-Usa..."

"My name's USAGI!" Chibi-Usa yelled, "That BAKA ODANGO ATAMA is
Chibi-Usa!"  Recovering herself Chibi-Usa said, "Would you take me out
to dinner?"

Mamoru opened his mouth and closed it again, "Only if you put on
something more befitting your age." <Usagi must of bought that for her
and sent her here.> The glare he got back was loaded with venom.

"As a princess I am entitled to wear whatever I want! Now Mamo-chan, I'm
hungry... you wouldn't want to disappoint me, now would you?!?"

<Dinner first, then I get to the bottom of this... When I get a hold of
Usagi!>  Picking up his keys he stalked out of his apartment with
Chibi-Usa in tow.

                                  ******

Usagi, smugly sat down at her place in Rei's room.  The others were
sending covert looks of disbelief.  Rei was openly trying to deny the
obvious, Usagi was on time for a Senshi meeting.

"I have something to tell you guys!" Usagi crowed gleefully.

"Usagi, I am not interested in your love life!" Rei yelled and then
muttered, "What little one you have..." Minako snickered.

Usagi ignored the barb, she was riding high on being Onee-san and had
valuable information to share. Nothing was going to spoil this moment
for her. Giving one huge smug look that practically shouted, "I know
something you don't and I ain't telling!" Usagi launched into telling
the Senshi what Chibi-Usa had told her earlier.

They were all speechless; Rei was flabbergasted.  Usagi simply sat
smugly holding the other secret to herself.  <I'm her Onee-san!
Chibi-Usa is behaving really well and I'm the one that healed her!>

                                  ******

Chibi-Usa slipped out of Usagi's room snickering to herself. With a
motion she changed Luna-P back from the power screwdriver to its regular
form. She had just removed every screw in Usagi's room. She would have
stayed longer but the night was young, and so was she. <I got places to
go and things to do.>

Heading for the steps she noted the bothersome grownups were downstairs
so she shinned out her window using Luna-P to guide her descent and
slipped away into the night. Tokyo was in for a night.

Usagi trudged up the steps, Chibi-Usa skipping behind her. Chibi-Usa was
off to bed and Usagi was going to finish up her homework. Chibi-Usa had
insisted on doing homework rather than going to the arcade and that
annoyed Usagi considerably, <But hey! She's my imouto and very nice and
this is a minor inconvenience.>

The first indications that something was wrong was when Usagi went to
open the door and it fell inwards.  Usagi blinked for a minute and then
stepped inside turning on the light, what she saw was horrific, at least
to her.  Every piece of furniture was dismantled and spread around the
room.  A large pile of what looked like screws sitting in the middle of
the floor.

Her first instinct was to blame it on Chibi-Usa, whirling around she
glared at the little girl who was looking rather confused.  <Well...>
Usagi considered it carefully, she had to ask though just to make sure.
"Imouto?"

Chibi-Usa raised her head and looked at Usagi with a bit of worry. <She
thinks I did it,> Chibi-Usa realized. "Hai?" came the small reply.

"Imouto... did you... did you do this?" Usagi tried to put it as gently
as possible.

Chibi-Usa at first felt hurt by the question and then thought about what
happened that afternoon. <Shingo must be trying to get me into trouble.
That's not very nice of him.> "Iie! I didn't do this Onee-san, honest."
<She had to ask me. I did those bad things before. Usagi STILL likes
me.>

Reassured, Usagi excused herself and stalked across to her brother's
room.  Pounding on the door she yelled, "Shingo!"

He put his head out and glared at his sister, she glared back while
saying, "Shingo, just because you were embarrassed to admit that maybe
you were planning that joke and it backfired, doesn't mean you should
try and get MY IMOUTO into trouble with HER ONEE-SAN!"

<Imouto? Her onee-san?> Shingo snickered, just the thought of what Usagi
was saying sounded odd. Turning around he said, "Yeah whatever!" and
closed the door.

That settled it for Usagi. Obviously Shingo was the culprit. Her imouto
was as innocent as she appeared. Fuming Usagi headed down the stairs
with a rather confused Chibi-Usa following along with one thought
running through her mind, <Onee-san believes me!!>

                                  ******

"I'm glad to see you dressed according to your age," Mamoru commented to
Chibi-Usa who was wearing a blue sailor fuku. Usagi was dropping her off
at the door after their enjoyable afternoon at the park.  Chibi-Usa
looked confusedly at Mamoru who continued speaking to Usagi, "Usagi-san,
I want to talk to you about that dress you bought her."

"Nani?!?" Usagi questioned. <What dress?>

"Don't play stupid with me, the red dress you bought Chibi-Usa... er
Usagi and sent her over here in last night."

Usagi gave Mamoru a pitying look before saying, "You must be working too
hard."

"Onee-san didn't buy me a dress..." Chibi-Usa put in, "Were you going to
surprise me, Onee-san?"

"Onee-san? What happened to `baka odango atama'?"

Usagi ignored the comment. Obviously Mamoru was distraught because he
broke up with her. Instead she turned to Chibi-Usa, "Imouto...
Mamoru-kun will drop you home, okay?"

"Hai."

With that Usagi bent down, hugged her, and kissed Chibi-Usa's forehead.
"Be good."

"Hai, Onee-san," Chibi-Usa said while skipping passed the rather
confused Mamoru. <I'll miss you.>

                                  ******

Chibi-Usa was in a foul mood. Ikuko had caught her trying to sneak out
and had ordered her up to her room immediately to put on more proper
clothing.  The only thing she could stomach, barely, was a blue sailor
fuku. <I can't believe I ever wore any of this kawaii crap. This stuff
is for babies.> Putting it on she stomped down the stairs and into the
kitchen.

"There that's much better," Ikuko said.

"Shove it!" Chibi-Usa retorted. <Why should I take her orders?>

"Pardon me, young lady?" Ikuko said incredulously. <I haven't been
talked to like that since Usagi tried it.>

"You'll call me `Your Highness'.  I'm a princess.  I should be able to
dress the way I like."

"Not while living under my roof you don't," Ikuko replied advancing
towards the child. "What's gotten into you?" <She certainly isn't acting
like she did before. Why is she so angry?> She hadn't seen Chibi-Usa
come in but Usagi wasn't with her so she figured Usagi maybe wanted some
time alone. She must have dropped Chibi-Usa off at home.

Keeping a comfortable distance between herself and Ikuko, Chibi-Usa
scoffed, "A commoner like you wouldn't dare lay a hand on me!"

Ikuko was still controlling her temper with difficulty but continued
after the child. What Chibi-Usa did next startled her.  With blinding
speed Chibi-Usa grabbed two eggs that were on the counter and flung
them. They hit their mark and splattered Ikuko. <Beautiful,> Chibi-Usa
thought.

Usagi had slipped down to the arcade, but now was entering the front
yard. <Imouto wouldn't have liked me going to the arcade without doing
my homework first. Lucky for me she won't find out.> As she approached
the house she could hear her mother's voice furiously demanding
something. <What's going on in there?> Usagi walked into the house.

What she walked into was a battlezone. Ikuko was covered with food and
was chasing a rather foul mouthed Chibi-Usa.  "Nani?!?!" Usagi asked was
promptly pelted with two eggs. "Imouto!" she barked.

"I ain't your damn sister, Chibi-Usa!" Chibi-Usa yelled and launched
another egg at Usagi who had the good sense to duck.

<Chibi-Usa? What's wrong with her?>

With a snarl Ikuko lunged for Chibi-Usa but misjudged the distance and
skidded across the floor. Chibi-Usa made a break for the door but was
brought up short by Usagi who caught her arm. "And just where do you
think you're going?"

Growling furiously Chibi-Usa lashed out and kicked Usagi.  However it
was in vain because Ikuko had recovered and taken over for Usagi. She
now had the child by the scruff of her fuku. "Now, what is going on with
you?!" Ikuko demanded. <Maybe someone gave her drugs or something.>

"Yeah, I'd like to know that too!" a confused Usagi said. <Did something
go wrong with the healing?>

"Bite me, Chibi-Usa!" Chibi-Usa said.

"Young lady!" Ikuko's voice was stern, "You will show the proper
respect."

<Yeah right.> Chibi-Usa thought this over for a moment before bowing her
head, <Have to make this look good for the old baka...> Chibi-Usa
thought. She was intelligent enough to know that she first had to get
Ikuko to let her go before making a break for it. "Hai, Ikuko-mama,"
Chibi-Usa said in her best terrified voice. <I can't believe I used to
talk like that.>

Ikuko gave a stern look at Chibi-Usa and then let go of the child. <The
baka fell for it!> As soon as she had moved a step away Chibi-Usa called
out, "Luna-P, smoke cloud!" In an instant both Ikuko and Usagi were
blinded by a smoke cloud and Chibi-Usa slipped out the door. Running as
fast as she could she took her previous night's escape route over the
neighbor's fence and out of sight.

Chibi-Usa who had just spent and enjoyable afternoon with Mamoru had
been dropped off. <That was fun but I want my onee-san.> She was
skipping toward the house when a rather irate Ikuko stormed out of the
house with and none-too-pleased Usagi trailing close behind. <Why are
their clothes so dirty?>

"Ikuko-mama? Onee-san?" Chibi-Usa questioned softly. <They look really
mad!> She took a step back as both sets of stern gazes locked onto her.
<Did Shingo do something and blame it on me?>

"Young Lady," Ikuko said barely controlling her anger, "Get into this
house and upstairs THIS INSTANT!" Ikuko emphasized her point by jabbing
her finger toward the door.