Not too much vocab: nani? = what? okaa-san = mother All previous author's notes, disclaimers apply. Still rated G. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter Four "Are we there yet?" Usagi whined from the back seat. "Almost," her dad answered. Usagi sighed. This car trip was taking longer than it usually did. She supposed that part of the reason was because she had been away from home so long. She had just gotten out of the hospital today, and after a two month stay, she was anxious to get back to familiar surroundings. And the other reason that it was taking so long.... "Da-ad," she complained, as Kenji pulled onto yet another side road, "you took the wrong road again!" "I'm just taking the scenic route," he said innocently. "But why?" Usagi asked. "I want to go home!" Her dad glanced in the rearview mirror and Usagi saw his eyes twinkling. "If you really want to," he teased, "but I just thought you might like to see everything again." "I do, but not all at once," she said in exasperation. Her dad laughed. "If you really want to. I suppose we've been gone long enough," he said. "Long enough for what?" she asked. "Your mom was at the store, and she wanted to be there when you got back. I just wanted to make sure she made it home before us," he said. Usagi suspected that her dad wasn't being completely truthful with her; his tone was too mischevious. He was up to something. But she decided not to press the issue. After all, he was right. After spending two months of mostly staring up at the ceiling, she was glad to see all the places she loved again. They had already driven by the arcade and Usagi had nearly driven her dad crazy, begging him to stop and let her go in to play a few games. He had persuaded her that her mom was anxious to see her, though. Now she wished she had known her mom was at the store; she could have used that fact to her advantage. Then again, that was probably why her dad had waited until now to tell her this. Finally they turned down the right road, and Usagi sighed in relief. 'It's about time,' she thought to herself. Her dad pulled into the driveway and parked, then came around to open Usagi's door just in time for her to see Shingo burst out the door excitedly. "Usagi! Wait till you see the ca..." "Shingo!" Her mom barked, and Shingo stopped mid-sentence, a blush creeping up his face. Her dad frowned at him as well. "See the what, Shingo?" Usagi asked. "See the cat," Shingo improvised, and the two parents relaxed, even grinned. "Luna's been going nuts since you've been gone. I happened to mention to her today that you were coming home and I swear I almost saw her smile." "I better not here you swearing," Kenji scolded, listening to the conversation as he walked around the car and took Usagi's wheelchair out of the trunk. "Da-ad, not that kind of swearing," Shingo protested. "Anyway, need some help?" Kenji had set up the wheelchair and was now preparing to lift Usagi out of the car. "Just hold the chair steady," he told him. He picked Usagi up and felt her hug his neck fiercely, as she was still a little scared of being carried. At that moment her dad felt a surge of protectiveness for his little girl. 'Don't worry sweetie, I won't drop you. I could never hurt you.' The transfer was completed successfully, and Shingo excitedly ran around to the handles. "Can I push her?" "Only up the walk," Kenji said. "I'll have to take her up the stairs." Usagi made a face at the mention of the steps; her dad would have to take her up them backwards, tilting the wheelchair up so that it was only on the back two wheels. At least there were only two steps, though. "Dad, our house is not very wheelchair friendly," she complained. Her mom and dad exchanged a look. "We know," he simply replied. They got to the steps and Usagi's "driver" switched. Usagi gripped the chairs arms as she started up the steps, but her mom touched her arm reassuringly, and Usagi relaxed her hold. Kenji turned her back around and rolled her through the doorway and into the living room. "SURPRISE!" "Nani?!" Usagi looked around in shock at her giggling friends. Everyone was there, even some of her school friends. There was Naru, Umino, Motoki, Mamoru,Rei, Ami, Minako, and....Makoto. Usagi hadn't seen her since the accident, and was startled at her appearance. She looked extremely tired and depressed. Dark circles hung under her eyes and she looked as if she hadn't smiled in ages. Well, almost ages; Makoto gave her a sad smile when she saw Usagi looking at her. "Welcome home, Usagi!" Ami pointed to the banner up above her head, which said the same thing. Usagi's mouth dropped open. "A party for me?" she exclaimed happily. She examined the living room closer. Now that she was paying attention, the banner wasn't the only thing different about the living room. The room was covered with bouquets of flowers; and not just any flowers, but the ones that had until just a few hours ago been decorating her hospital room. No one was sitting on the sofa because it was covered with stuffed animals. They were all get-well gifts from her friends. And underneath the banner hung all her get-well cards, so many that the opposite wall was almost completely covered. They were unconventional decorations, but to her they were perfect. "It was all Minako's idea," Ami said with a smile. Usagi turned to Minako happily. "Aww...thanks guys," she said, but looked directly at Minako. "You're too sweet." Minako ran over and hugged her. "No problem," she said, and then lights went out. Usagi would have been alarmed, except for the fact that it was only mid-afternoon and the sun was still shining, so the room hardly got any darker. She was still confused, though. Mamoru walked over and closed the curtains, and that helped some darken the room a bit. "OK, now what?" Usagi sighed, then smiled as Mamoru walked over and stood by her instead of returning to his place standing by the sofa. "Hi muffin," she whispered. Mamoru almost blushed. "Usako," he whispered, "not so close to your father..." he glanced nervously towards Kenji, who was looking at them suspiciously. Usagi giggled, then gasped. "Oh, mom!" she squealed. Her mom walked into the room slowly and carefully, considering what she was carrying. "Wait till I see the cake, Shingo?" Usagi teased as her mom got closer. "Welcome home Usagi," the cake read, and it was bordered with candles. "Is it chocolate, mom?" "Of course," Ikuko said. "Aww...you guys..." she sniffled. "Thanks!" "And we haven't even given her the presents yet," Rei joked, then blushed. "Oops." "Presents?" Usagi squealed happily. "Thanks a lot for giving it away, Rei!" Minako smacked her arm good-naturedly. Rei remained uncharacteristically silent, a chagrined expression on her face. "Hey, I'm just joking," Minako said softer. "I know," Rei nodded but didn't return her smile. Minako gave her a concerned look but didn't say anything as her attention was distracted by another squeal from Usagi. "ICE CREAM!" She yelled. "Okaa-san, you're the bestest!" The others around her laughed and shook their heads as they watched Ikuko happily accepting a hug from her daughter. "Bye Usagi!" Naru waved as she left down the walk with Umino. "Bye Naru-chan! Bye Umino-kun!" Usagi waved back. "Thanks for coming!" She smiled; they had come to visit her in the hospital, but it had been good to see friends in a normal setting again. "Oh, I ate too much ice cream," she moaned, leaning back in her wheelchair. Mamoru smiled down at her. "So what else is new?" he said. "*Mamo-chan*..." she groaned. "*Usako*..." he mimicked her tone, and she just punched him mildly. "Can you stay?" she asked, instantly forgiving him. "Actually, no. I've got to go to class now, Usa," he said. "I've already missed one today. But I'll come visit you again tomorrow. Welcome home." He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the forehead, then left. Usagi sighed. Mamoru had been wonderful to her while she was in the hospital. She had received a fresh rose ever day of the week, most of them hand-delivered, to keep her spirits up. It was true that he never called her; but he visited enough to make up for that. Besides, he was always available when she called him, and was always willing to listen for however long as she wanted to talk. She broke herself out of her reverie and wheeled herself into the kitchen. Mamoru was the next to last guest to go; the last was in the kitchen with Ikuko. Usagi wheeled in on the middle of their conversation. "Thanks for helping with the dishes, Mako-chan," Ikuko said, as she dried another plate. "You're welcome, Tsukino-san," Makoto answered, up to her elbows in sud as she washed some pots and pans. "Makoto, I know I'm older than you..." Ikuko hesitated, "but like I've told you, you've been such a good friend the past few weeks that you may call me Ikuko, if you would like." Makoto blushed. "Domo arigatoo, Ikuko-san. I keep forgetting. If you would like me to, I will." Usagi raised her eyebrows. Now Makoto was calling Usagi's mother by her first name? This was getting too weird. So she asked Makoto her first direct question in two months. "Mako-chan, you want to come to my room and visit a bit before you go home?" she asked. 'Visit, meaning you've got some explaining to do,' Usagi thought. "Umm...OK," Makoto said, slightly nervous. She had a feeling she knew what Usagi's implicit meaning was. She dried her hands on a towel. "That is, you don't mind, Ikuko-san? I can stay and finish." "Of course not, dear. You came to see Usagi, not me. But thank you for asking. Anway, let me come with you just for a moment. I need to help Usagi to her room," Ikuko replied, abandoning her task as well. "Do you want me to call dad to carry me upstairs to my room?" Usagi asked. "That won't be necessary," Ikuko said. Usagi furrowed her brow. 'Maybe Mako-chan is carrying me.' "Here, let me lead the way," Ikuko said, pushing Usagi's wheelchair towards the back of the house. "Mom, you passed the staircase!" Usagi said. "I know, dear," her mom said. Usagi got even more confused. 'Where are we going?' "Mom, this is your room..." Usagi trailed off, startled, as they entered the doorway. 'At least it used to be. Why is all my stuff in here?' Usagi had a puzzled expression on her face as she wheeled over to the familiar bunny-and-crescent moon bedspread. "What's going on?" "Your father and I decided that it would be easier for you to live down here temporarily, until you get better." Ikuko explained. "But...it's so big compared to mine. Are you living in mine? How did you get all the furniture to fit?" Belatedly Usagi noticed one of their bureau of drawers left in the room. "It's not so bad, at least for a little while. Believe me, we'll be taking it back once you're walking again," her mom said with a grin. "And we had to leave one of the dressers in here. Hopefully we won't bother you to much when we have to come in and out to get things." Usagi just smiled. She knew her family was making some sacrifices for her, and she appreciated it. "Thanks mom." She lifted her arms up for a hug, blinking back tears, and Ikuko hugged her back. "There, there, it's all right. You're welcome. Besides, it helps us to. We don't have to carry you up and down the stairs each night," she teased. Usagi laughed in response. "You and Mako-chan enjoy your visit now," Ikuko said, then left. Makoto gulped. She wasn't sure she was going to like the forthcoming conversation. "Why don't you sit down?" Usagi said mildly. "OK." Makoto sat down at the desk and waited for Usagi to start asking the question she knew she would be asking. Instead, Usagi confused her by wheeling over to the window and staring out, not saying anything. Makoto fidgeted. It was her first time being alone with her friend in two months, and the silence was somewhat awkward. The worst part was that she had caused this distance between them...maybe that's what Usagi was waiting on, for Makoto herself to start the conversation. "Usagi, I..." "You didn't even call." Usagi's voice wasn't angry as she expected, but hurt. Makoto felt an ache in her chest when she heard the tears in her friends voice. "It was too hard," she said lamely. Usagi turned around to face her. "And it wasn't for me?" This time she was angry. "I know...that's why I sent you the cards, and the treats, to encourage you," Makoto said, tears starting to trickle down her own face. "Mako-chan, that's just stuff. It can never replace you," Usagi said sadly. "You never even visited *once*." Her voice broke on the last word. Makoto hung her head. "I did." "No you didn't," Usagi argued, "I would have remembered." "No, it was right after you...got hurt," Makoto said. "I stayed over in the hospital that night. I slept in the lobby." Usagi had a perplexed look on her face. "But why?" "I was worried about you," Makoto said softly. Usagi hmphed. "I was!" Makoto insisted. "You have a funny way of showing it," Usagi said. "I...I came into your room that morning. The nurse had just given you a morphine shot, because you were still recovering from surgery. That's probably why you don't remember." Usagi looked at her doubtfully but didn't contradict her. She had never known Makoto to lie. If Makoto said she visited, she must have. "I said hello, and you said hi back. We even had an entire conversation about the date I had been on the week before," Makoto said. "That still doesn't explain why you never came back," Usagi said, wheeling back around to face the window. "I...I thought everything was fine. I was so worried at first, that things would change...when you talked to me, and you sounded normal, I just knew everything would be all right." "And that's why you never visited?" Usagi asked in disbelief. "Let me finish," Makoto pleaded. "And then the nurse came in." "And her needle scared you away," Usagi said sarcastically. "Usagi..." "All right, all right, I'll quit interrupting." Usagi kept her back turned but vowed to listen to what Makoto was saying. "What's funny is you're kinda right," Makoto gave a bittersweet smile through her tears. "Only it was a pin." Usagi gave her a curious look over her shoulder. "I'm not following you." "The...the pin test. She came in with a simple straight pin. She said she wanted to test how your nerves were responding." "Hai, I know what you are talking about. Sakura's done that sometimes. She just pricks my legs to see if I can feel it," Usagi said. "But I don't remember the nurse doing it." "She did. She uncovered your feet, and started poking your sole with it. I almost thought it was funny, because it looked like she was trying to draw blood." "Must have been Nurse Ethel," Usagi muttered. "You didn't watch her at all, you were watching TV. And then she put it away, and you looked up, and you said...." Makoto paused and started crying at the memory. "What?" Usagi's curiosity got the better of her, and she turned to face Makoto. In spite of her anger she was concerned at her friend's behavior. " 'You can start anytime.' " Makoto fell silent. "Start what?" Usagi was puzzled. Makoto laughed in spite of herself. "Usagi..." she said, "That's what you told the nurse. To start anytime. She had just finished the test, and you didn't even feel it." Makoto fell serious again, tears running down her cheeks. "Oh, Mako-chan...." Usagi's compassionate nature won through and she held out her arms. Makoto ran to her, crying, and knelt down to accept the hug. "That must have been hard for you," Usagi murmured as she stroked the brunnette's hair. "It was," Makoto said. "I just couldn't bear to see you like that. I know you're mad at me, and you have a right to be...just please try to understand. I wasn't trying to hurt you." "It's OK, Mako-chan," Usagi soothed. "I know. Even though I didn't understand what you were doing, I always knew you still cared. Everyone grieves in different ways, and this was just your way. I forgive you." "Oh, Usagi-chan," Makoto said, smiling through her tears. "Though it would have been nice for you to have told me," Usagi said good- naturedly. "Why, you..." Makoto jokingly punched Usagi in the arm. "Hey, watch it or I'll run over your toe with this thing," Usagi teased her back. "Hey, I can beat you up..." Makoto started but was interrupted by the sound of the front door slamming and Shingo yelling. "Luna!" he said. "Silly kitty, running away before the party. You missed Usagi's homecoming. Come back down here, she's not upstairs. She's in mom and dad's room." Makoto and Usagi promptly heard the patter of kitty feet first running up the stairs, then back down and now coming down the hall. "Luna," Usagi whispered, eyes sparkling. Makoto smiled at her friend. "She missed you," she said. "She tried to sneak in the hospital a couple times but security caught her." "Aww..." Usagi smiled at this thought, as the cat came running through the door, then stopped short at the sight of Usagi in the wheelchair. Her eyes shining with tears once again, Usagi opened her arms up to her. Luna gave a glad cry and jumped into her lap, burying her face in Usagi's skirt. Usagi picked her up and held her against her chest, whispering to her. Shingo came into the room. "She was outside," Shingo explained. "I was wondering where she was during the party." He looked at the pair curiously. "You know, if I didn't know better, I'd think she was crying." "Don't you think cats can feel emotions too?" Makoto said. Shingo shrugged. "I suppose." Usagi ignored the both of them, as she was so involved in comforting the cat. "Shh..." she murmured. "It's OK. I'll be alright, Luna, don't cry." Luna just nuzzled her face in response. Makoto smiled. "Oh, how sweet," she said, on the verge of tears again, this time tears of joy. Shingo gave them both a strange look. "Girls are weird," he announced. "It's just a cat. I'm leaving now." He turned and left the room, leaving the two--make that three--laughing. Luna wiped her eyes with her paw. "Well, weird or not, at least now that he's gone I can talk again," she said. "I'll leave you guys to your reunion," Makoto said with a smile. She stood up and walked over to Usagi and gave her one last hug. "Bye, Usagi-chan. Thanks again." "No problem, Mako-chan." Usagi smiled back. "Have fun." "Yeah, right. I'm doing homework. Well, ja ne." She waved good-bye and left, leaving Usagi and Luna alone. They smiled at each other happily. "I'm glad your back, Usagi," Luna said. "I'm sorry I wasn't here for the party. I wanted our meeting to be special, and it would have been hard with everyone around." "That's OK, Luna," Usagi said. "You're here now." "I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you with the daimon," Luna whispered. "I failed you." She sniffled. "Oh, Luna, it's not your fault. If it's anyone's fault it's mine," Usag cried, giving Luna another hug. "I wasn't strong enough." Luna nuzzled her again. "Somehow I don't think that's the case either," Luna comforted. "You're a good warrior. I mean, true, you could use a bit more discipline, and responsability, and maturity..." "I'm feeling loads better, Luna," Usagi said dryly. Luna blushed. "Sorry. My point is, you've come a long way, and I'm proud of you. Maybe nothing could have prevented this from happening. Anyway, it's only a minor set back, right?" "Right," Usagi agreed. "We'll show them. Besides, you guys need me," she laughed. Luna didn't laugh in response, though. "That we do, Usagi," she said softly. "That we do." "But mom, I don't want to study," Usagi protested as she jumped up and down on her bed. She was wearing bunny pajamas. For some reason or another her mother resembled Queen Beryl. "You have to!" she screamed. "I'm going to the park instead," Usagi announced, and Queen Beryl was defeated. "Come on Chibi Usa." She jumped off and walked out, still in her pajamas. The black cat named Chibi Usa jumped of the windsill and followed her. Usagi had only made it to the sidewalk when she was attacked by a giant daffodil throwing roses at her. "Using your pretty colors and lovely scent for evil!" she yelled. "I will not allow this...I, Sailor Moon, will punish you!" Usagi grabbed her broach but couldn't transform. Instead, the flower picked her up and threw her... '...uh-oh, there's a tree over there...I'm going to hit it...ow, I just hit it...my back hurts...my neck hurts ...that creepy tree-thing is after me...Mamo-chan, help me...' Usagi woke up with a gasp. She shook her head. 'What a funny dream.' She stared up at the ceiling quietly. 'But part of it wasn't a dream. I wish I could remember what happened...' With a sigh Usagi rolled partway over and fell back asleep. Luna woke up in the middle of the night, with the vague feeling that something was wrong. She stared up at the moon blurrily. She didn't feel anything evil; it wasn't the negaverse. It must be something else, but what? She looked over at her charge fondly. She and Usagi had spent all evening catching up, while Usagi was supposed to be doing her homework. For once Luna hadn't lectured Usagi on the importance of schoolwork; she was too happy to have Usagi back, and besides, she wanted to talk to Usagi herself. Usagi...Luna frowned. Maybe the reason she woke up was because something was wrong with Usagi. She was thrashing around a bit; maybe she was having a nightmare or something. But her face was calm; she was fidgiting about as much as she usually did. With a jolt Luna realized what was the matter; Usagi wasn only moving her upper body, her arms flailing back and forth. From the waist down she lay still. Usagi shifted her position so that she lay on her side, and still her legs remained immobile. Luna would have normally been knocked to the floor by her kicking legs by now. She sighed and laid her head back down on her paws. 'I never thought I would wake up because Usagi *wasn't* kicking me,' Luna thought ironically. 'It's kinda funny.' But the ache in her heart remained, and a tear slipped down her cheek as she fell back asleep. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Author's notes: I wanted to list some thanks. If you don't feel like reading, please at least skip to the bottom and note the e-mail address--I like mail! ^_^ To my sister, as usual. Are you going into fanfic withdrawel now that I'm away at school and not forcing my stories upon you? ^^ To Sharon -- two letters. H-m. He he he he.... ^o^ To Lady Guinevere, thanks for all the wonderful encouragement. You're such a terrific friend, that I suppose I'll let you live for what you did in your story last week. ^^ To Mandy, I never have given you an author's note, have I? Thanks for boosting my ego by always wanting to read my stories. Especially the one about Mitzi. ^_~ But would you STOP USING THE C-WORD! Sora Tsukino -- sorry I haven't written in a while. When are you going to post again? ^^ And I just have to say, Moon Goddess, you are aptly named...thank you for helping Andrea and providing a way for us to continue to enjoy all the wonderful fanfiction. And always thanks to Andrea, for all her efforts administrating and maintaining the archive. We can't thank you enough! That's all, folks. See you...soon? I hope...until then, have a HAppy day! (No, not a typo! :) Setsuna M meiou_setsuna@hotmail.com "XVBW/U" -- 1. Cor. 1:3