Chiba Family Robinson By Antigone and Moon Klutz. Rat: g/pg Part: 2 The room felt like it was spinning… Mamoru'd be able to tell if he could open his eyes, but at the moment, that was going to take more strength than he had. "Is he okay?" someone asked. "Hai, he just needs a few minutes of fresh air. Ima did warn us that stuff had some fumes in it they wouldn't be used to yet." The other replied. "Oh. Okay then." Silence for a moment. As far as he could tell, he was laying down on some sort of packed dirt. His hair probably looked bad. There were, so far, two people near by, both of whom he assumed had something to do with this situation. Slowly, he opened his eyes a crack, and then a bit further. He was in a hut of some kind, it looked like something out of Gilligan's Island. The walls were made out of cane and the natives were dressed in skins and plants, beads and feathers in their hair. The odd thing was, they were of all different skin types, whereas most people who grew and evolved in a climate like this one would be dark skinned. In fact, there was a girl sitting on a dais in front of him. She was extremely pale, and appeared to be the leader of the group, with an abundance of feathers in her hair. "Kon-wa, Mamoru-kun. Welcome to the Ddmuf Tribe Territory. I hope you are feeling better?" she asked. "I'm doing very well thank you, yourself?" he asked. Manners before questions, that's what the orphanage had taught him. If you were rude, you'd never get any information. And in this case, he needed information. The girl laughed, clapping her hands together. "I'm doing very well thank you! You almost sound Canadian Mamoru-kun! You don't mind if I call you that, do you? You see, we've known you for a very long time…" Mamoru blinked a bit, gave the girl a funny look and rubbed his head. "Do you guys have anything for this headache?" he asked wearily. He didn't really feel like he wanted answers right now, though he had the strangest feeling that there was something he was forgetting. The girl perked up immediately. "Of course! We've got chocolate, and roses, and oh! We cleaned your green jacket for you, seeing as you wear it everywhere, and…well, some Motrin…." She trailed off, as if thinking of something. Mamoru sighed. "I'll take the Motrin and a glass of water for now." He said, and as soon as the girl snapped her fingers, another one had appeared with the pill and the water. Mamoru took a drink, and was about to put the pill in when he noticed that everyone in the room had leaned forward, wide-eyed, to watch him. "What?" he asked. Their leader smiled. "Forgive us, but we've waited so long to actually see you, that it's strange, and we'd like to remember everything Mamoru-san." She replied. Mamoru shrugged it off and finished his pill. The girl took the glass away, bowing slightly. "Anyways Mamoru-san, I'm guessing you'd like to know a bit about where you are, and since we know all your weaknesses and character traits, we'll have no fear of you getting away before you're supposed to, I'll give you a tour of our territory." She said, standing up and walking towards the door so that he had no choice but to follow her. "Oh, by the way," she added as an after thought, "My name is Klutz, the leader of this tribe." Mamoru grinned. 'What a weird name!' "The two girls who brought you here are Igasu and Eltrut, two of my most trusted members." Two girls two his left smiled and sighed. They had been the ones from earlier… Strange girls, those. The girl lead him around the town, and finally, to the doors of what he guessed was a temple. So far, he had gathered that their lives revolved around the stories and shrines they made to their god, whom so far she had called 'Endymion' the earth. Strange thing was, the guy carved into the doors sure looked a lot like him dressed as Tuxedo Kamen, and why did they have all this modern technology mixed in with their 'live-by-nature' 'ancient-tribe' lifestyle? Mamoru re-thought his opinion of the group. They were obviously all insane. Pushing aside the large doors, they entered a dark room, which was made bright in an instant as all the torches lit up. "We have a girl in the tribe named Ier, she has this thing with fire and well…" she paused, turning to face him. "We tried to make the best shrine to you that we could, Endymion, but, well, sometimes we kinda ate some of the chocolate we offered you, and once in awhile the roses would wilt, and we've never really thought we would get this chance…" she said, all watery eyed. But a moment latter she grinned. "But now that you're hear, and as I hear it, are a first-season Mamo-chan, we're going to help you out, and win you back your Usako!" she declared. Mamoru paused. Usako. "OH MY GOD, WHERE IS SHE?!?!?!" he suddenly flared up. All this time, how could he not have remembered Usako? Where was she? Was she okay? 'Klutz' smiled. "I wouldn't worry about her, though I know you will anyway, she is the hands of people who would never possibly hurt her, just as we would never hurt you. Get some rest now, I'll be taking you out on reconnaissance this evening." When Usagi woke up, the first thought in head was, as always, 'Oh my god, I am so late!!' which quickly faded into 'Heeeey, *this* isn't my bedroom...' Then the recent memories came back to her, like sledgehammers to her mind. The ship, the sinking, washing up on shore, losing her brooch, and then losing Mamoru. 'Well, first things first: Where am I? And how close am I to some food or something?' Looking around, she saw she was in a soft bed in a dark hut. And something nearby smelled really delicious. Usagi sniffed the air. 'Pancakes? Whelp, time to get up!' But before she could, someone walked through the door. "Ohiyo gasimasu, Tsukino Usagi." The small woman smiled, tilting her head in greeting, "My name is Antigone." "Is it morning already? Where am I? I smell food, I want some!! Ugh...my head hurts..." Antigone raised an eyebrow. "Um...please?" The woman laughed. "Should I be insulted you didn't ask who I was, or anything?" Blush. "But don't worry, you don't have to even say 'please' for anything, or 'thank you' unless you wish to. My name is Antigone, I am leader of the tribe DRUF." Something just occurred to the blonde. "How did you know my name?" "If you want some breakfast we have chocolate crepes and pancakes for you." Antigone watched Usagi's face light up. "But if you want some, I'm going to get what the cooks made for you and bring it in here. You aren't strong enough to go out there yet, I don't think..." "Why not? And you never answered me about my name..." "Shh, listen." And they did. Usagi heard people's voices, exciting shouts, and murmurs. She caught her name more than once. Some voices were male, a few of them crying marriage proposals through the thin fabric of the tent. Usagi sweat dropped. "See what I mean? To us, you appearing here is amazing. They want to meet you and probably maul you with hugs, and be prepared to beat off some guys, ok?" Antigone laughed, suddenly seeming more friendly. "You see, to my tribe, and myself, you are somewhat of a Goddess." "NANI?! Megumi-sama?! Watashi wo?!...Sugoi..." Later, over breakfast with Antigone, her um... Usagi guessed assistant-type person, and two teens who Usagi learned were named Arat and Nayr, they started explaining certain things to Usagi. Usagi seemed extremely pleased to learn how these people viewed her and kept mumbling something about Rei being jealous. She also squealed and blushed when Nayr kissed her hand, and hugged both Arat and Ardnassac enthusiastically when they met. After about eight crepes and few pancakes (Ardnassac and Arat had stared and whispered, 'So it's true...amazing...') she was much more awake and her headache was gone. "Um..." through a mouthful of pancake, "not like I really *care* or anything, but I was with someone when I was...um...captured." The others exchanged a glance. "He's kinda tall, dark haired, skinny and answers to the name of baka-atama. Or Mamoru." Antigone nodded, "I know where he is. He was taken by the other tribe that occupies this island." Usagi swallowed, "They aren't going to sacrifice him or eat him or anything are they? Because then I'd feel kinda bad about what I said about him being a baka-atama...." Laughing. "No, no," Arat answered, grinning, "See, to them, *he* is what you are to us." A few seconds of thinking. More thinking.... Ardnassac said slowly, "He is a god to them." The light bulb went on. "Ooooooh. Gotcha. So he is being worshipped somewhere, too?" "Worshipped," Arat giggled, "Or mauled." The others laughed, except Usagi who looked more confused. "Forgive us, Usagi-sama, let me explain." Antigone said, "Remember those boys shouting to you this morning? Well, the Ddmufs have a few straight males in their tribe, who worship Chiba Mamoru, want to *be* him. The rest of them just, uh, want him." Usagi's jaw dropped. "I doubt the man can even breathe." Nayr said, a strange expression on his face. Arat laughed and said something that sounded like 'jealous.' Sputtering for moment, Usagi grabbed Antigone's hand and tried to pull her up. "Well, we gotta stop them!! I mean, that's...that's...why... Let's go get him! I mean, can't you start a war or something?! LET'S GO!!! NOW!!!! Why are you just sitting there?!!! ATTACK THEM!!!" The waterworks were about to start... Antigone sweat dropped, waving her hands in surrender. "We can't just do that! They are actually quite bigger then we are. Besides, we trade with them. They have great coffee." Ardnassac nodded, "We don't hate each other, per se. We have unarmed borders and good relations. We just secretly think the Ddmufs are kinda dorky, they in turn think we are stupid." Usagi blinked. "It's like the United States of America and Canada**. Have you heard of those places?" Blink. "Aren't they in Africa?" For a reason she couldn't explain, the small girl suddenly found herself engulfed in Antigone's hug. "I'm just so glad to meet you." the leader laughed. "Antigone?" Usagi pouted, "Why are the Ddmufs so much bigger then the DRUFs? What's so great about *Mamoru*?!" Arat grinned wickedly, "*You* were quite upset when you learned that he was being jumped by random girls." A radioactive red color stained Usagi's face. "He is a baka-atama. They can HAVE him." 'I have millions of cute guys worshipping me here,' she thought, smiling at Nayr. 'Leave Mamoru-baka to his stupid harem if he wants them so badly...' Denial. Denial is good. Antigone smiled suddenly. "We have something that will cheer you up! Nayr, Arat, why don't you show her what you found at the shore?" The teens, laughing, grabbed Usagi's hands and the three ran off, Usagi crying that she wanted to know what the surprise was. "She'll be glad to see her locket again." "Hai." Antigone said, smiling a little, noticing Ardnassac was staring at her. "What?" "I've never seen you laugh or smile so much." Antigone grinned, "I was just thinking of the all those hidden first-season feelings fanfiction authors are so *sure* existed. Turns out they do." "Well, in *Her* at least." Antigone shook her head, "Him, too, I think. Boy, those poor Mamo-lovers. Some of them wanted to get at him first season before he had feelings for Usagi..." "Remind you of our boys?" More laughter, "Why do they care if She has feelings for someone else? They just think the sailor senshi uniform is hot..." Across the village, a voice, "Oh, Arat, Nayr!! MY LOCKET!! I'M SO HAPPY!!! WAAAAAHHHH!!!" Mamoru paced up and down the left wall. Mamoru paced up and down the right wall. Mamoru paused. "THIS IS RIDICULOUS!" He screamed, tugging on his hair. Why was he so worked up over the girl? After all, Klutz had said she would be fine where she was. They were probably feeding her to her hearts content at this very moment. So why was he so upset? He had only known the girl what, three months? Four? They had teased each other and gotten into silly fights. Then they had met up on the ship, and she had just been so… helpless, and he had failed her. Though he had managed to make up for it by saving her shortly afterwards. Of course, he still felt guilty. What had he called her? Usako? It fit. It fit *too * well. Perfectly in fact. But that wasn't what was aggravating him. It was the fact that once again he had failed her, he had passed out when he should have at least stood up to the natives, even if they *were * really nice. After all, some of the most evil people in the world were 'really nice' to their close friends. 'Anyone can act.' He thought. Mamoru took a deep breath and continued to pace. Something was out of place here. No normal group of people would be so excited and interested, almost obsessive, over their new guests. And if they were, each would not be so specific. One would almost think they were… "Worshiping us?" he wondered aloud in a whisper. "Hai, Mamoru-samma. Worshipping you." He looked to the side only to see Klutz step out of the shadows. "We know you well enough to realize you had to figure things out on your own. As I have said, we have known you forever. Before you were even born in this life in fact. We are surprised though at the change your destiny has taken, it doesn't usually even come near us, except for that one time…" Klutz trailed off. "So… Usagi is a goddess to the Druf, and I am a god to you Ddmuf?" he asked. Klutz nodded. "The goddess Serenity, Usagi, of the moon, and Endymion, Mamoru, of the earth." She confirmed. Mamoru nodded. "I'd like to see her." He said simply. Klutz nodded and walked outside, Mamoru following after her. 'Serenity… that sounds kind of familiar.' Mamoru thought, then brushed it aside. 'Nah, I'm probably just still woozy from that gas. The only really important thing right now is getting to Usagi, making sure she's okay.' The trio walked, actually it was more like stalking, through the underbrush, carefully picking their way around plants that were harmful, animal traps, and ditches dug by prankish boys of the DRUF tribe. "Um...Klutz-san?" a polite voice whispered to her. "Hai, Mamo-sama?" "I understand we are taking the necessary precautions for this wild terrain but, um..." "Hai?" "Is this really necessary?" Mamoru motioned to the camouflage outfit he was wearing, complete with twigs and branches attached to his army helmet. Klutz shrugged. "Apparently Llesh Otesrp has a fetish." Mamoru sweat dropped as he remembered the psycho who had picked out the outfit for him. She had offered to dress him, too! What a nut bar. He shook his head. Igasu leaned to whisper to both of them, as they crouched in the bushes, "Shouldn't Eltrut be back from scouting by now?" Her questions was answered by a loud crash and snapping of twigs and branches and a muffled, "I'm ok!" coming from somewhere ahead of them. Klutz groaned, "And I thought *I* was the accident prone one." The noise had alerted the DRUFs, and as expected, they came running to see what the commotion was, as Eltrut came back to her companions, blushing. A short woman appeared and raised her eyebrows to the four in front of her. Shaking her head, the woman smiled. "My name is Antigone. Welcome to my tribe, Chiba Mamoru." Frankly, it was freaking him out that everyone seemed to know his name. "Hai. Thank you." he said. Antigone was polite and introduced him to her tribe. It was a mixed reaction, to say the least. Mamoru recognized a few of the lovesick looks on some of the girls, but most of the males were glaring at him. Some people shrugged and others murmured. But all eyes were on him. He wanted off this island. Now. "I want to see Odan--Usagi-chan." he said to Antigone, quickly correcting himself when he realized calling Usako 'Odango Atama' in DRUF territory might not be so prudent. Antigone nodded, but for a moment she looked unsure as she lead them into a nearby ceremonial tent. As soon as the prying eyes of the tribe were off them, Mamoru was surprised to see Antigone and Klutz-san hug each other quickly, smiling like good friends. "It was a risk, Klutz-chan." Antigone whispered to her friend. Klutz shrugged, "He insisted." "Where's Usagi?" Mamoru demanded. "I'm right here," a voice from the shadows said, and Usagi stepped forward, with her arms crossed. "Or wouldn't you notice a person who didn't throw herself at you and start kissing the ground you walk on?" Mamoru felt his heart soar. She was here! She was ok! She was glaring at him! Suddenly, although she was dressed in a loose-fitting tribal looking dress, Usagi looked so much like his familiar little Odango atama he almost wanted to cry. "Usagi-chan," he breathed, rushing to her, "Are you ok?" He had her in a hug before he realized what he was doing, "I'm so gl--" She pulled out of his arms so fast Mamoru almost pulled some blonde hair out by accident. If looks could kill... Mamoru felt his heart sink. He was in trouble. "Just *what * do you think you're doing?" she demanded angrily, arms crossed, foot tapping in a staccato beat against the rough floor. Mamoru gulped. "What do you mean? I was worried about you Usagi!" Usagi frowned. "When? Between fawning sessions with the girls, or after being drooled over. You irritate me!" she yelled at him. Mamoru took a step back. "No, Usagi, it was never like that! I was unconscious, then I woke up and slept in a temple, and as soon as I found out where you were, I came to get you, make sure you were okay!" He said nervously, trying to defend himself. However, angry Usas are a dangerous thing. Usagi grabbed the nearest thing, a pie, and whipped it at him. Unfortunately for Mamoru, Usagi had good aim. It hit him right dead smack in the center of his army-style shirt. Mamoru blinked, then looked up and ducked, throwing his arms in front of his face as chocolate and crème desert after chocolate and crème desert came flying at him. "Take that! And that! And that! This'll show *you * not to be such a jerk!" she laughed, throwing food at him constantly. In the corner, Antigone and Klutz chuckled. "You know, I always wondered if Usagi could …Ohhh Ow!" Klutz trailed off. Antigone grinned. "Told you she had backbone. That's an extra three bags of coffee beans next week Klutz." Klutz however, was sniffling. "I *love * chocolate crème pie!" Mamoru was already running out the door, and gone, as it was too painful and obvious that Usagi wouldn't listen to him right then. Suddenly, Usagi paused, then fell wailing to the floor. "I USED UP ALL MY DESEEEEERTS!!!!" she wailed. Antigone walked forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay Usagi-san, we have more." She said seriously. Usagi looked up, sniffling. "Are you sure?" she asked, all sad and innocent looking like a child. Antigone nodded and Usagi jumped up. "Alrighty then, what are we waiting for?!" After eating her fill of pies, having all her favorite manga brought to her while she relaxed in bed, and having many interesting, pleasant people come to chat with her as if they were old friends, and having Antigone hover over her like a mother but with less nagging...it all should have been perfect. But it wasn't. Usagi sighed, walking out to the village, watching the setting sun cast shadows across the tents and huts and the small alter. Her alter. For some reason that didn't make her feel any better. "What's wrong with me?!" she shouted into the sky, "For crying out loud, I'm a goddess! I have everything I wanted, I'm being waited on hand and foot, treated like royalty... and... all these people want to be my friend, boys fight just to get a closer look at me..." sniff. "I should be..." sniff. "so...happy..." "Hey, Usagi-sama!" A hearty clap on her shoulder made her stumble before the tears could start. "Nani? Nayr-kun? What's up?" Nayr grinned, "My friends and I were wondering if you'd play some frisbee with us." "Play...frisbee?" He shrugged, "Yes, if you want to." "Well...sure!" Usagi felt herself cheering up as she was brought to a huge group of coed teens who immediately started arguing about whose team she would be on. Usagi felt a grin spread across her face, although the guilty, sinking feeling still churned inside her when she thought of screaming at Mamoru. She always did things like that before thinking about them. 'But he deserved it,' she thought angrily, 'stupid Mamoru making me waste good food on him just because he wasn't getting enough admiration back at his little village.' 'He came to see you, baka.' '...' Usagi stopped the voices in her mind by throwing herself into the game. Because of her alter-ego, Usagi was exceptionally good at throwing the discus-shaped frisbee and therefore could bask in the glory of being *good* at something athletic. It was great. And no one made fun of her if she fell or ran into people... in fact, they were very sympathetic, even though she was the only one that seemed to fall. As if that thought itself was a jinx, Arat stumbled and fell on the ground as she made a quick pass to a young boy named Nosaj. "Itai!" she cried, as she pulled herself up to examine her swollen ankle. Nayr rushed to her side. "Daijoubu ka?" he asked, quietly, the game ceasing as the team leader talked to the fallen girl. Arat looked up at him, "Of course. You didn't have to stop the game, baka. You are so protective!" Nayr seemed to take it as a compliment, reaching down a hand to help her up. "I was just worried about you, silly." Arat shook her head. "Baka." she muttered. But she took his hand. Usagi felt suddenly that she shouldn't be watching them... that the looks in their eyes were meant only for each other. But that scene and the words were so familiar... 'Mamoru.' Usagi lowered her head. 'Forget him, he's happy with all his new girlfriends,' the jealous little voice whispered to her. The sun was setting quickly and the elders were calling to their children to come inside. It was family time. And Usagi was all alone. 'I miss you, Mom and Dad...even Shingo and Luna.' Tears filled her eyes. She had pushed away the only other person on the island that stuck by her because he cared, not because she was some idol. "Usagi-sama, would you like some dinner?" Ardnassac asked gently. Usagi burst into tears. "I'm not hungry!!" she screamed as she ran into her tent. Silence fell over the village. The people froze. Then murmurs spread through the silence. Then a few wails of the impending apocalypse. A rising panic... A moment later Usagi emerged from the tent, a thoughtful expression screwing up her features comically. "Then again, maybe I would like some dinner, please." And everyone returned to what they were doing among sighs of relief. Mamoru sat leaning against his alter, looking out the circular window as the sun set. It cast reds and oranges and golds all across the room, across his face. Mamoru didn't notice. 'She must hate me… but what did I do?' he wondered. He hadn't eaten since he had returned. Well, that is, after he had ran back to his temple with his tail tucked between his legs, he had cleaned up, gotten some clean clothes on, and sat down to be sad. She had some sort of strange effect on him. There were moments when all he wanted to do was keep her safe, and make sure she was happy. Other times it took all he had not to kiss her. Sometimes though, he felt so angry at her for the strangest reasons. For making him feel this way, for confusing him. It made him so angry sometimes… But then he'd eat some chocolate, take a shower and tend his roses, and he'd feel remorseful, upset that he could even think of being angry at her Still, the logic part of him said that she was just some kid. That he only felt this way because his instincts as Tuxedo Kamen told him to protect. With all these emotions and feelings fighting to be recognized as what he really felt, the truth was buried somewhere deep inside Mamoru, drowned by his confusion. It was times like these, that Mamoru missed the discovery channel. Well, that and his chocolate stash. Not that he didn't have enough chocolate offered here to last a lifetime but… Well… It just wasn't the same. He missed the secrecy of having a secret chocolate stash, hidden away in his apartment where no one, not even Motoki-kun, could find it. Then sneaking out a bar or some M & M's once in awhile and relaxing. He didn't like how everyone here seemed to know everything about him. *Everything *, down to his shoe size, to his Tuxedo Kamen matching boxers and slippers set, to what kind of fertilizer he used on his roses. People weren't supposed to know that kind of thing about him! But that wasn't what was really bothering him. He was worried Usagi would never speak to him again. 'Though on the bright side of things, she seemed upset that you had girls flocking too you here…' a little voice in his head spoke up. 'What does that have to do with anything?' Mamoru wondered. 'Oh…nothing important.' Pause. 'Per se.' Mamoru was going to ask the voice what it meant, but it was gone. "Huh?" **In Klutz and Advisor Aisyle's advising room ** Aisyle opened her eyes and grinned. Klutz smiled and leaned forward. "Did you do it?" she asked eagerly. Aisyle nodded and burst into laughter as they smacked a high-five. "Mission insert special thoughts into Mamoru's head is underway!" she laughed, and they decided to celebrate by having an all night sundae's and anime rentals special. Ha! Now you'll have to wait for the spell binding chapter three, where Antigone invents the 'Nana-phone! But... we need e-mail! MK: lunap@lunap.com Antigone: antigone@lunap.com Please send it to both of us, or at least to SMRFF! MK and Antig PS: Antig has a website in the making (most of it is up, but due to server trouble, the fics may take a little longer) at: www.homestead.com/antigone/index.html