You Don't Remember How I Feel By Doug Helm and "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl Those characters that are original and the story "You Don't Remember How I Feel" 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://members.xoom.com/questails/gateway.htm and http://rivendell.fortunecity.com/traveller/861/ Send comments to: Douglas "Candle Light Author" Helm (dhelm@log.on.ca) or "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl (wwolfshohl@logicon.com) Chapter 13 - Zeroing In Shortly after lunch, Misako was standing near the window in the living room and looking longingly out at the soggy backyard. It had started to rain again and it looked like it would rain intermittently throughout the afternoon. Turning away from the enticing view, she looked sadly at her father and asked, "How come I can't go outside?" "Misako," Endymion responded gently, "Your Mother and I decided that since you broke the rules, you should have to stay inside today." Misako thought as she chewed over the implications but the old yearning had returned. She glanced out the window and gave a little sigh, It looked rather deep too. Reluctantly pulling her eyes away from the backyard, she tried to concentrate on what her father had said. After a moment, she realized what was bothering her. "Ne, Dad, if I'm grounded 'cause I broke the rules, what'd happen if you broke them?" Endymion blinked, opened his mouth, and then closed it again. "I don't think we gave it much thought, Misako," he finally answered. Chuckling, he shook his head in wonder. "Don't you think it's fair that since you broke the rules, you have to accept some type of punishment?" "Hai," Misako chirped simply. "I broke the rules so there are consequences," she admitted reluctantly, "But these rules apply to all of us and you're already confined to the Royal Suite, ne? I mean you and Mom aren't kids..." "So you don't go outside to play." "Hey, that's right!" Usagi piped up from her position on the couch. Endymion turned and asked, "Would you like to be restricted to indoors play as well, Small Lady?" Usagi shrugged and said, "Why not? Who'd go out in that stuff but Misako?" "Nothing's wrong with a little rain," Serenity chimed in. she giggled at the thought and winked at Misako. "Or are you too sweet and afraid you're gonna melt?" While her father tried to moderate the ensuing tongue war between Serenity and Usagi, Misako skipped from the living room and down the hallway to her bedroom. she thought. Once inside her room, she allowed her posture to slump slightly and the smile she had put onto her face slipped away. She walked over to her bed and sat down on it with a little sigh. She noticed her diary sitting on the desk but somehow, she couldn't bring herself to write in it. She had been trying to work out the unexpected and mixed up emotions she was experiencing but she found it difficult without vocalizing them. Normally, she'd talk to Usagi but she was doubtful if she could be of help and it would hurt her sister's chance at forgiving their mother. She took the tongue war between her mother and sister as a good sign. Hopping from her bed, she walked over to the window and gazed out at the rain again. It wasn't as heavy as the night before. Giving a little shake of her head, she turned and saw her favorite teddy bear sitting on the bed. A solution to her problem came into her head and Misako gave a small, genuine smile. A solution she hadn't tried in years. Walking over and lifting the teddy bear up, she walked back to the window and sat down. "I know I'm almost a teen," she explained to her bear, "And I guess I really shouldn't be doing this... On the other hand, I'm in a six year old's body." A six year old body that had a lot of energy built up inside of it. She giggled. "We'll talk but let's play first, ne?" ****** Usagi pressed her ear close to Misako's door while holding her breath. She gave a yelp of surprise and leapt into the air as someone tapped her on the shoulder. Clutching her hands to her chest, she could feel the pounding of her heart; color rose into her cheeks as she saw that her mother was looking down at her sternly. "I thought," Serenity began, "That your father told you to give Misako some space." "She's been in there for more than an hour, Mom," Usagi remarked, "And it's really quiet." Before Serenity could respond, Misako's door opened and the little girl peered out into the hallway, "What's all the noise about?" "Whatcha doin', Miko-chan?" Usagi asked. "I'm finishing my homework, Onee-chan. 'Member, I was late." She giggled then and grinned, "I'm not like you. I wouldn't be sleepin'." "Hey!" Usagi squawked in protest. Misako giggled again. "Come have a snack, Imouto." "If I'm gonna have my homework done for when Mizuno-sensei comes, I need to work on it now," Misako explained, "'Sides, Dad already brought me a snack." "Come on, Usagi," Serenity instructed while gently pushing her daughter ahead of her down the hallway, "Let's go get that snack." Usagi grumbled and glanced back over her shoulder just in time to see Misako's door close. Turning around, she preceded her mother into the kitchen. Once in the kitchen, she turned sharply to face her. "I don't buy it, Mom," Usagi commented, "She had to finish this morning or you wouldn't've let her go play after lunch." She felt surprise when Serenity gave a little shake of her head. "You mean..." Usagi said with her eyes wide, "You let her skip doing homework?" Serenity blushed a little bit. "Well?" "Well..." Serenity began while she reached back and scratched the back of her head nervously, "You see... um... it has to do with work ethics." "Nani?" Usagi asked in confusion. Blushing even more, Serenity elaborated, "Your father and I trust Misako to do her homework, Mesume." "And you don't trust me..." Usagi asked in a hurt tone of voice. "Past records speak for themselves. Gomen," Serenity stated. She smiled, trying to soften the impact of that statement. She was guilty of the same thing when she was a teen. Usagi gave her an evil grin and commented wistfully, "The way I'm feeling, it's a good thing you don't trust me about homework. I'd probably never do it." She then walked over and hugged her mother around the legs. Smiling, she pulled back and looking up at her huge mother said, "Now where's that snack, Mom. I'm starving!" Her stomach rumbled as proof of this statement. ****** Sometime later, Endymion was watching Serenity root through several boxes that had been pushed to the back of the storage room that was off of the dining room. "What did that child do?!?" Serenity demanded as she opened up another box, "Pack up her entire life and put it in here?!?" Endymion gave a helpless shrug. "It was Misako's choice, Serenity. I tried to convince her but Misako can just be as stubborn as Usagi..." "Sometimes." He frowned a little and asked, "Why are you going through her stuff anyway?" "I didn't know it was Misako's," Serenity answered, "When we took out all the teen stuff from Misako's room, I thought she should've had more." She smiled a little and commented, "Usagi certainly had enough junk." Serenity paused in her searching and turned to regard her husband. "Speaking of Usagi... would you go and talk to her?" Endymion straightened from where he had been leaning against the doorframe and looked questioningly at his wife. "There's something bothering her. I tried to get her to talk but she didn't want to... at least with me. Maybe you can help her." "I'll try," Endymion replied and headed for his daughter's bedroom. He halted outside of Misako's room when he heard Misako's voice. Gently tapping on the door, he opened it and looked inside, "Ne, Miko-chan, is Usagi in here?" "Iie," Misako replied. "Oh... Who were you talking to then?" Endymion asked. Misako held up her teddy bear. "Oh, I see..." he said before withdrawing and closing the door. Misako's outburst of that morning had been uncharacteristic but talking to a teddy bear was really out of character for the "teen" Misako. Turning, he made his way down to his eldest daughter's room and knocked on the door. After a few moments of silence, he opened the door and saw that Usagi was lying on her bed, face buried into a pillow. The muffled sounds of crying floated to his ears. Quickly coming into the room, Endymion shut the door and walked over to the bed. Sitting down, he reached out and touched Usagi's back. The little girl gave a start and turned to stare up at her father; after a moment or so, she scrambled onto his lap and hugged him tightly. "Shhh..." Endymion soothed gently while hugging Usagi and stroking her puffy pigtails. He spent the next few minutes reassuring Usagi and calming her down. How many countless times had he done this for both the Usagis in his life? When her crying had subsided to a few sniffles, Endymion asked softly, "Usagi-chan, what's the matter?" Usagi sniffled for a moment or so, then said, "I never did this before, Dad. Gomen..." "Nani?" Usagi gave her father a tight smile and said, "It's always Mom I go to, if I got a problem." "And what is your problem?" Endymion asked. He had a pretty good idea what it was. Usagi gave another little sniffle and hiccuped. "It's Misako... She's acting so weird and it's all because of Mom. Imouto needs Mom but I can't just go and tell her that. And I don't think Mom knows what's really bothering Misako. I don't think she even knows what's bothering me." She felt so helpless. Giving his daughter a tighter hug for a moment, Endymion offered, "You're Misako's onee and you feel like you have to protect her, ne?" Usagi nodded. "And sometimes, you can't solve her problems and that makes you feel even worse, ne?" "I knew you'd get it, Dad," Usagi said, "You might say you treat us differently but I know you try to treat us the same." Usagi rubbed at her eyes for a moment and added, "I guess I'm not being fair to Mom but with Misako flippin' out this morning, I think it's too much." "I understand how you feel because I was you, Mesume," Endymion countered, "I remember feeling very proud of my imouto and I remember wanting to protect her and feeling bad when she got hurt. I'm sure your mom knows what it means for Misako to be your imouto." Usagi gave her father a dubious look and asked, "If that's true, why isn't she doing anything? I think Misako's even talking to her teddy bear now!" Shifting so she was kneeling on her father's lap, she pleaded, "Get Mom to change her back. You can keep me small longer but get Mom to change Misako back! Please Dad!" Endymion felt tenderness for his daughter and brushed her wet cheek gently. "Iie, that wouldn't work." When Usagi started to protest, he placed a finger to her lips. "Shhh... Usagi-chan, if I didn't think your mother wasn't dealing with the situation properly, I'd seriously consider your suggestion." "Nani? What makes you think she is?" Usagi argued, "She never has before." "Because I think your mother is finally thinking with her heart instead of her head and I've always trusted my Usako's heart." "She better be," Usagi warned, "I might be six, physically, but I can still raise a big stink if I have to." That seemed to be a cue because Usagi suddenly passed gas very loudly, prompting her to turn beet red. Endymion's mouth twitched for a moment before he howled in laughter; Usagi became insulted and lunging forward, knocked her father backwards. Once sitting on top of his chest, she started tickling him. ****** It was around three o'clock that afternoon when Usagi stood outside Misako's bedroom door again. Softly she opened the door and looked inside. Misako was sitting on her bed and talking with her teddy bear. Usagi thought, She was rather surprised when Misako suddenly stopped talking and instead, broke into tears. Quietly slipping inside the room, she closed the door before quickly walking over to the bed. She climbed onto it and hugged her sister. "Imouto, what's wrong?" Usagi asked. "Nothin'," Misako responded but she hugged her sister tightly and continued to cry. Usagi return her sister's hug and struggled to keep herself from crying herself. "Ne, Miko-chan, I'm glad you let Mom put that medal up," Usagi said after a moment. Misako's crying came to a shaky halt and she looked at Usagi with some surprise. "I'm really proud of you, Imouto. I remember you worked really hard for that medal. You were the bestest onee and..." Instead of cheering Misako up, it made the little girl renew her crying. "Miko-chan, what's wrong? Don't you want me to be proud of you?" "I-I do. It's just... just... I'm sorry I didn't take you with me," Misako choked out. Usagi blinked in confusion. How could Usagi be proud of her when she had treated her so badly in the past? After a few moments, Misako amended, "I meant when we were in the past and you wanted to go with me to the meet and I wouldn't take you." "Misako, that's in the past. I was a little kid then and you couldn't have taken me even if you wanted to," Usagi countered softly. Misako took a few shaky breaths and gave her sister a sheepish smile. "Is that's all that's bothering you, Onee-chan?" "Well..." Misako said while sniffling, "I guess so..." She looked into her sister's face and asked, "Are you really proud of me, 'Sagi-chan?" "Hai. Of course, I am," Usagi replied, "Did you think I'd be jealous?" Misako just looked at her and Usagi could feel her temper starting to rise. "Didn't we have this out before?" Misako looked properly embarrassed then. "You honestly think I'd be upset because Mom finally decided to show off some of your achievements?!?" "Don't be mad, 'Sagi-chan," Misako requested softly. She pulled away and sliding from the bed, walked over to the window. "I guess it wasn't really you. It's just that... I don't know, something was bothering me about it." She couldn't define it; all of her emotions were jumbled up together. "Maybe we should ask Mom to turn us back to normal." It was Misako's turn to blink in confusion. "You aren't actin' normal, Miko-chan..." "Neither are you," Misako retorted. Usagi gave a silent sigh. Smiling, she said, "Ne, Imouto, want to play something?" Misako perked up and smiled back. "Hai! So what do you want to play?" "Got a foam ball?" Usagi asked. "I can get Luna-P to make us one, Onee-chan. Why?" "Good, because I'm declaring the first ever INDOOR Youma Catch game!" she grinned evilly and her sister just giggled. "You do realize Mom 'n' Dad will kill us." "Only if we let the Youma win..." Usagi replied. Misako's eyebrows rose at the implications of that statement. "This should be interesting," Misako predicted after a short time before calling Luna-P over to her. ****** Sometime after midnight, Misako stirred from her slumber. At first, she wasn't sure where she was; the room was dark and there was no illumination coming from her window. In the large room, her breathing sounded loud to her ears and she could feel the emptiness of her bed. Hugging her teddy bear closer to her, she gave a small whimper. "'Sagi?" she questioned sleepily but there was only silence and a gently pattering of rain against the window. Misako thought but her sister was likely sleeping in her own bed. She tightened her grip on her teddy bear but the feeling of loneliness only deepened as the seconds passed. She wanted to cuddle and didn't want to be alone; sleepily getting up, she left her room, all the while clutching her teddy bear as if it was some type of lifeline. Quietly opening her parents' door, she slipped in and closed it again. She padded forwards towards the large bed. Bumping into the bed, Misako stood for a moment trying to remember through the haze of sleep which side her father slept on, when a soft voice called out to her, "Misako?" Changing directions, she walked to the side where the voice was and without saying anything, crawled under the covers next to the person. She sniffled a little and felt arms lovingly wrap around her. Snuggling back against one of her parents, she relaxed a little and quickly fell back into slumber. ****** Misako yawned expansively and snuggled deeper into the warmth and security she felt. she thought sleepily. Slowly she opened her eyes and stared at the sight before her. Instead of the strong masculine features of her father's face and the soft black hair that she had so recently had, Misako was confronted with a flowing stream of golden blonde hair. She brushed a little aside and saw the soft features of her mother's face. Through her sleep came the realization that her mother was hugging her. That her mother must have been the one who had taken away the loneliness of last night. Hot tears welled up into her eyes and flowed down her small cheeks, blurring her vision of the mother she had longed so for. She buried her face against her mother's shoulder and silently cried. Misako wondered in confusion, She hadn't intended on giving her mother such a sign. But it wasn't "okay"! It never could be okay. Through the feelings of sadness, confusion, and hurt, Misako felt someone gently stroking her hair. Turning her red eyes upward, she saw Serenity looking down at her, tenderly, traces of worry showing on her face and in her eyes. Sniffling, Misako rubbed at her eyes and turned away from her mother. Serenity let her and Misako was both glad and hurt that her mother didn't try to stop her from leaving. Quickly she slid from under the covers, padded across the room, and out the door. It was only once inside her own room did Misako realize that she didn't have her teddy bear. Upon searching the room, it became apparent that she had left it in her parents' bedroom. She couldn't or at least wouldn't go back to get it. Sniffling a little, she walked over to the bed and climbed up on it. Hugging herself, Misako lay there feeling alone once again. She wasn't sure how long she laid there before the door quietly opened and her mother walked in. Misako sat up and wiped at her eyes again. "Gomen, I didn't mean to wake you up, Mom," Misako stated. Serenity closed the door and came over to the bed. Sitting down, she held out Misako's favorite teddy bear and said, "You left her on the floor." "Arigato," Misako replied while taking the bear. Hugging it close to her, she wondered, "How did you know it was a she?" "You told me, Miko-chan," Serenity answered. Misako's eyes widened a little. "Ne, something bothering you? I might not be your dad but I'll listen." Misako sniffled a little and then sighed. "Well, it does sorta have to do with you, Mom," Misako began while she stared at the floor, "I'm sorry about throwing that book at you." She turned to look at her mother and continued, "I'm glad you didn't say anything to 'Sagi about it." Turning her gaze back to the floor, she asked, "So I'm grounded again, ne?" "For the book?" Serenity asked. When Misako nodded, she continued, "Miko-chan, I can understand you being angry with me. I didn't handle the decision about your gymnastics very well." Misako shrugged and countered by saying, "You did something I couldn't. I wasn't gonna go anywhere really. That was only my second medal. You were doing me a favor really, Mom." Misako had managed to barely win that gold medal at a small regional competition. Serenity reached out and gently turned Misako's head. "Ne, don't get like that, Misako. You were good. Your coach wouldn't even have thought about promoting you to the senior division, if she didn't think you could compete. But, it would've meant you giving up being a Sailor Senshi. I know your coach told you there would be a lot of extra work involved." "But what about the Nationals though?" "I think that was me and bad timing. Mesume, you just came back from the past and had been out commission as a Senshi and a gymnast for a year. Wouldn't it have been tough to get ready for Nationals with your schedule?" "But Mom... I told ya I could give up being a Senshi until after Nationals. You didn't go for that. I wouldn't have been taking on too much then and I only would have been out of Senshiing for a few months. They're lots of Younger Senshi around so they wouldn't even miss me!" "When you decided to become a Sailor Senshi," Serenity began seriously, "When you chose that first transformation, you gave an oath that simply can't be put aside for your personal convenience." Misako rolled her eyes at this. "Miko-chan, I lost my ability to transform because I didn't want to be a Senshi. I didn't want to fight anymore. It took Queen Serenity's magic to allow me to transform again. To be able to save my friends. Being a Sailor Senshi isn't like gymnastics. You can't stop and start it on a whim." Misako thought, It had been an effort to get back into shape. She sighed a little and shook her head. It hurt though. Gymnastics had been her only hope and now, it was gone. "I guess you're right, Mom," Misako conceded dejectedly, "but I thought I could do both." "I wish I had had your energy when I was your age," Serenity remarked and gently tapped Misako's head, "It would have made things a lot easier when I became Sailor Moon." "So you're not mad about the book?" "Iie, I'm not mad, Miko-chan, but could I have a hug?" Serenity asked. Misako moved and hugged her mother around the neck. She felt Serenity hug her back and it was all she could do not to cry again. It was with a little reluctance that she pulled away. Sliding from the bed, she walked over to the window and looked out at the wet and soggy backyard. The sky had begun to clear and only a few gray clouds lingered in an otherwise blue sky. The sun was just starting to peek over the eastern wall of the backyard. "We okay about the gymnastics then?" Misako turned away from the window with a smile and said, "Sure, Mom, if I wasn't a Senshi, who would make 'Sagi look good?" Serenity swung her legs around so she was sitting on the bed facing her daughter. Sliding forward so her legs were over the side of the bed, she queried, "Miko-chan, are you really upset about those textbooks?" Misako blushed a little and replied by shaking her head. Glancing at the ground, she sighed and then regarded her mother. "I know 'Sagi deserved most of them. And I know I didn't do much but I still don't think it's fair." "Why?" Misako squirmed and then asked, "Do you promise not to tell 'Sagi what I say?" "Nani? Do you think I tell Usagi everything we talk about?" "You're her onee. You tell her EVERYTHING," Misako replied. Serenity looked a little hurt but made the necessary promise to Misako's satisfaction. "I don't think it's fair because 'Sagi gets all the good stuff, Mom." Serenity blinked, opened her mouth, and closed it again. "She goes to the past and saves the world THREE times! I go to the past and get amnesia, sick, and pain. It's my own fault for winding up in the wrong time period but Mizuno-sensei treats it like I had a choice about fighting. I had to hold back because it's 'Sagi who's important to the timeline. Kami-sama, even if I went to the right timeline, I wouldn't've done anything. All the enemies were gone and if I had gone when the Starlights were there, I would've gotten amnesia anyway." "So why did you want to go to the past then, Misako?" Serenity asked. Misako thought bitterly. "Because I thought the you of the past would love me. But when I get there, all I hear about from you is about Usagi, Usagi, and USAGI! So, I came home and all I hear is Usagi! So iie, I'm not jealous of 'Sagi. It's her destiny to have everything and I guess it's mine to be an exact copy of her!" Tears had started running down her face again and she looked bitterly at Serenity who was regarding her with compassion. Her mother's blue eyes glittered with unshed tears and she hated it. "Oh Mesume... is that why you wanted to be a Senshi?" "I wanted to be a Sailor Senshi," Misako stated in a thick voice, "Because my onee was. I love being a Senshi but I don't want to be Usagi. Even if that means you won't love me, I can't be Usagi but I have to. That's what everybody wants from me." Serenity pushed herself from the bed and kneeling on the floor, held out her hand to Misako. The little girl ignored it though. "I don't want that, Misako. Try to believe me, I..." "Of course not!" Misako burst out, "All you want is for us to be normal again but we can't. You want me to forget wasting seven years of my life. You mentally abused me for seven years and now you think cuddling with me and saying, `There, there,' will make it all better!" Turning, she ran into the bathroom and slammed the door before locking it. Serenity gave vent to her own tears then. She wrapped her arms around herself and cried. Hot tears stung her face and ran down her cheeks while the shudders of her sobbing shook her body. She was not crying because Misako had hurt her, but because of the truth, her daughter had spoke. How easy it would be to go to Endymion now, have him comfort her, and pretend, as she had before, that everything would be normal. She couldn't though. Something deep within her ached to simply hold Misako and comfort her and apologize; yet she knew that such an apology would do little to heal the wounds she had inflicted. ****** Sitting in a corner, knees drawn up to chest and head resting on them, Misako cried until she couldn't cry anymore. She could her hear mother's crying in the next room but ignored it, hated it, yet at the same time, she wanted to comfort her mother. When the bathroom filled with silence, Misako sat up straighter and listened. There was no crying coming from her bedroom; her mother must have left. Pushing herself up, she walked over to the door and pressed her ear against it. Misako thought sadly, But she had wanted to make her mother understand. Unlocking the door, she pulled it open and gave a start. Serenity was still there, sitting on the bed, her face a mask of sorrow and regret. Dried tears could be seen on her cheeks and her normally blue eyes were red from crying. Misako tried to rally her anger but she felt empty and defeated. Stepping out into the bedroom, she asked, "Why are you still here, Mom? What do you want?" Serenity took a shaky breath and said, "Misako... It doesn't matter if you saved the world or not, people DO care about you." The little girl shook her head. "I wish it were true... I could go away tomorrow and nobody but 'Sagi and Dad would even miss me." She looked at Serenity and added, "Don't worry about me. It's 'Sagi that needs you." "Don't YOU need me, Mesume?" Serenity asked in a pain filled voice. "I-I... had to go it alone before. I can manage now," Misako replied haltingly. "You're wrong about people not missing you. What about Atsuko?" "'Sagi's her godmother. Why would she need me? Heck, when Kimeko has a baby, you or 'Sagi will get the job as her godmother. Why even bother with a second place princess?" "So you think Atsuko doesn't need you, ne?" Serenity retorted, "And I suppose Sakuya and Masao giving you such an honor was a fluke?" Misako nodded and Serenity replied with a snort of disbelief. "Young lady, you have been accorded a privilege that I haven't even received yet." "Nani?" "I haven't even held Atsuko and Usagi says Atsuko wants to know where you are when she visits. Usagi may be her godmother but you're her onee." Misako smiled a little. "And I dare you to tell Sakuya, or especially Kimeko, what you just told me about not being missed. And why do you think everybody wants you to be Usagi?" "'Cause, 'Sagi has all sorts of friends and you always hear people talk about her. They don't even know I exist unless I really screw up. That's why I went with gymnastics. Somebody could watch me and see that I'm not 'Sagi." "I think Yuki and Yumeko would be hurt that you don't think they're very good friends, Miko-chan." "They're my best friends," Misako stated, "It's just... I don't know." She gave her mother a serious look and said, "That still doesn't answer my original question, Mom. What do you want? If you want me to just forgive you, then forget it." Serenity moved and knelt in front of Misako so she was looking at the little girl directly in the eyes. "What I want, and what I think everybody who cares about you wants, is for you to be happy. I want you to get your Younger Designation and to do well in school. I want you to grow up to be a fine young lady. That's all." Misako sniffled a little and said, "So you don't want me to forgive you?" She swallowed hard and sniffled again. "Hai. Of course, I do, but I know it'll take a lot of work from all of us. Misako, you gave me a gift I never had before. I knew how you felt. I had an onee who loved me. I know how special your relationship with Usagi is." She smiled sadly as fresh tears ran down her cheeks and she continued, "I know how much you want a mom." Reaching out, she stroked her daughter's blonde-white hair and added, "I can't undo the past. What I guess I want is a chance, just a chance, to be a mom to you. Maybe not now but sometime." Misako's bottom lip trembled for a moment and as new tears welled up and flowed from her eyes, Misako walked forward and hugged her mother tightly. Serenity returned the hug almost desperately and started rocking gently as both mother and daughter cried. End of Chapter 13 Coming next in Chapter 14 - Light in the Gloom