Bunny skipped along as she returned home. She and Molly had been collecting scrap iron (with a short, well, not too long break to swim in the creak) but Bunny had to get home. Even if her mom had the day off at the plant, it was Bunny's job to tend the victory garden. Every little bit helped.
Bunny's good mood faltered when she turned the corner onto her street and saw the black sedan parked in front of her house. Stenciled in white on the side was a seal and two words: War Department. She ran down the street and burst through the front door. "Mama!" she called from the front hall. "Mama is it Papa? Is it Sam?" Her father had volunteered even before Pearl Harbor, and Samuel, two years her senior, joined up immediately afterwards, just a week before his eighteenth birthday. The only reason the War Department would send a car would be to deliver news of a death.
"Bunny Elizabeth Summers!" her mother's scolding voice rang out from the sitting room, some followed by the woman herself. "Calm down. Your father and brother are absolutely fine. We have guests." Bunny gulped. The way her mother said "guests" meant that these were important people and Bunny had already made a poor impression. Sandals, a sun dress, and slightly damp hair probably wouldn't make things better, but before she could offer to go up and change a male voice called from the sitting room.
"Is that the little lady? Bring her here."
From her mother's expression she could tell her parent shared Bunny's assessment of her current looks, but her mother lead Bunny into the next room anyway. A young redheaded man in an army uniform, about her brother's age, sat on one of the chairs. On the sofa sat a man and a woman. The man had white hair and looked older than her father and also wore a military uniform, although this one looked a lot more important than the teen's. The woman wore a yellow blouse and black skirt, her long, wavy black hair hung down lower than her waist (Bunny was irritated to note it was longer than her own) and she had a golden crescent moon, horns up, on her forehead. Bunny didn't have much experience with tattoos, but she didn't think they were supposed to be metallic like this one was.
"Now Miss Bunny," the older man said in a reassuring tone. She realized he was the one that had summoned her into the room, "I'm glad to say that your family remains in the best of health. We're actually here to see you." Despite the man's tone, Bunny was suddenly more nervous than ever.
"Me?" she squeaked.
"Yes, you," he replied with a smile. "Luna, if you would?"
The black-haired woman stood up and approached Bunny. When Luna got uncomfortable close, she said, "Just stand in place, please," and walked around Bunny, inspecting her for something. So close to the woman, Bunny realized that Luna was only a few years older than herself. What was she doing with the army? Was she a secretary?
"I believe she is the one, Colonel," Luna eventually pronounced. "There is only on way to be sure, of course." From behind her back the strange woman produced a pretty locket. Holding it out, she instructed, "Take this and say 'moon prism power, make up'."
Bunny looked to her mother, who nodded, so she took the locket and, clutching nervously to her chest, said, "Moon prism power, make up." Light surrounded her and suddenly her body went all tingly. The tingles made her feel all peaceful and good, like she was full of the light. Then it all ended, and Bunny was looking at her mom, the two soldiers, and that Luna woman.
"Yes, I was right," Luna said. "Bunny, you are the sailor soldier Sailor Moon, leader of the sailor soldiers."
"-and your country needs you," the old man added.
"What do you mean?" Bunny asked. Her mother pointed her at a mirror, and Bunny realized at least some of what had happened. She was wearing a leotard with a little skirt, long red boots, and long white gloves. She even had a tiara, make-up, and earrings! Her mother wouldn't let her wear the last two yet. She was so lucky!
"Bunny," the colonel said, "your mother was telling us of your efforts to collect scrap iron for the war effort. I'm glad to see a young girl take such an active role in defending our country, but now you have a chance to do more. Our intelligence indicates that Hitler is preparing a new weapon that could spell real trouble for our troops. However, Miss Luna here has helped us find a way to combat this new threat. You and your birthright are central to our plan."
"I don't understand," Bunny said.
"With proper training, you will be able to use your unique abilities to combat Hitler's latest threat," Luna explained, "and eventually lead others like you to victory over Evil."
"Mama?" Bunny asked, turning to her mother, who hugged her.
"I won't force you to do anything, little rabbit," her mother said. "Just follow your heart."
"If," Bunny began hesitantly, "if it means that I can help Sam and Papa come home earlier," unstated, but understood by all, was the implicit 'and alive', "then I have to help."
Bunny's mom grabbed her again in an even tighter hug. "I'm going to miss you," she said, choked with tears. "Always remember I love you and I'm so proud of you, Bunny."
"I will, Mama," Bunny promised, her eyes tearing up as well.
"Now, now, you don't have time to get all weepy with me," her mom said. "You have to pack and get going, now."
"Don't pack much," the colonel instructed. "Just some under things, toiletries, and any photographs or other mementoes. You'll be issued new clothes, and spending much of your time as Sailor Moon, anyway."
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(Posted Fri, 20 May 2005 23:59)
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