Sad and angry, maybe this will help.

[bloodsong1]

Usagi glanced at Sarah-neesan out of the corner of her eye. She had been subdued all morning. While she blamed it on the midnight asthma attack that had frightened everyone but Minako-chan out of their wits, Usagi could tell it went deeper. Mako-chan felt the same way, so when the girls parted company, she insisted on meeting Usagi and Sarah-neesan at the Fruit Parlor later. Sarah-neesan agreed, stating she needed more friendship bracelet material, but she didn't smile. Usagi had become accustomed to the widow's smiles, sad as they were, and wondered what was going on.

"Sarah-nee-san," Usagi sing-songed. "Did you play the Sailor V game at the Crown?" She shook her head.

"I was too busy reeling from meeting two Princesses," She said. Her knuckles tightened on the shopping bag handles. Sarah-neesan had insisted on bringing her children's donated clothes, leaving hers behind at the shrine.

"Okay then! Let's go over early and I'll show you how to play!"

"Sure, Usagi-imoto." Sarah-neesan bit her lip. Usagi sighed and folded her arms. What was making Sarah-neesan so depressed?

"You know, Neesan, the offer to talk should go both ways," Usagi commented. Sarah-neesan's head flew up and her eyes snapped to Usagi. "We've promised to get you home and we will! Ami-chan's really good at figuring these things out."

"But the enemy, you're so close..." Sarah-neesan abruptly clamped her mouth shut and ran ahead. Usagi chased her to the house. Mama opened the door at Sarah-neesan's knock.

"Oh, Sarah-san! Welcome! Come in, I want you to meet my husband. Welcome home, Usagi," Mama ushered them in and confiscated the shopping bags. Sarah-neesan blinked as she changed into house slippers and hung up her purse.

"Ikuko-san?"

"Ah, good! You brought Marc and Becca's spare clothing! You must be a mind reader!"

"Huh?" Sarah-neesan blinked again. Mama gestured her into the kitchen.

"Usagi, let Marc and Becca know their mother's here. I need to talk to her for just a minute." Usagi nodded and ran upstairs, calling. She had a sneaky suspicion of what Mama was up to.

--------------

Sarah blinked her way into the kitchen behind Ikuko.

"Sarah-san, this is my husband, Tsukino Kenji. Kenji, this is Sarah. She's Marc and Becca's mother."

"It's very nice to meet you, Tsukino-san," Sarah said, bowing. Kenji stood from the table and bowed back.

"I'm very glad to meet you, Sarah-san, and please, call me Kenji. You have such well behaved children, it's been a pleasure hosting them."

"I'm glad Chibi-Usa-chan and Shingo-kun are enjoying their company." Ikuko ushered Sarah to the table and bustled about making tea. Kenji folded his hands on the wood and nodded.

"I am very sorry about your husband."

"Thank you."

"If you are interested, there are a few single men at the magazine I work at who would love to meet a nice young American like yourself." Ikuko dropped the tea kettle on the stove. Sarah lowered her gaze, mouth twitching.

"I find it very hard to believe a salaryman would be interested in a package deal, Kenji-san."

"Actually, Yamoto-san told me that he would prefer a widow with children because..." A wooden spoon flew through the air and caught Kenji just above his ear. Sarah glanced up just long enough to see Ikuko's famous "Angry Face". She could almost see the flames.

"ANATA!! Sarah-san does NOT need your MATCHMAKING!"

"Yes, koishii," Kenji picked up the spoon and carried it to the sink, his entire posture one of submission. Sarah covered her mouth with her fingers.

"I apologize for my husband, Sarah-san."

"He only wants to help me find the happiness he has with his own marriage, Ikuko-san. I take no offense." Sarah looked up, fingers hiding her lips. "I am flattered he thinks I would be a good match for a co-worker. I'm nothing special."

"That is very kind of you to say," Ikuko shot Kenji another glare and he fled the kitchen. She arranged a tea tray and brought it over. Sarah accepted her tea and savored her first taste. Staring into the cup, she sighed. Now would be a good time, right?

"Sarah-san, Kenji and I were talking about your situation and we had a proposition for you."

"Really?" She looked up. Ikuko smiled and put her cup down.

"If you are willing, we would like to keep Marc and Becca here with us. We understand there's been a strange situation with your hotel and you've been staying at the Hikawa Shrine. I know Rei-chan, she's a sweet girl, but there's very little for your children to do there except work. Here, they have playmates and it would be very good for Shingo-kun and Chibi-Usa-chan to have the exposure to American children and customs."

"You...are serious? You would let them stay here?" Sarah asked, eyes wide. Was it something in the water? How did Ikuko know? Or was it another case of great minds thinking alike? Ikuko nodded and leaned forward.

"To be honest, Sarah-san, I've wanted to host an exchange student, but Usagi-chan's grades were so terrible and her attitude so lazy that I was ashamed. Marc and Becca are younger and since school is still a few weeks away, I get to play host mother without worrying about grade performance! As Kenji said, your children are so well behaved, I'm hoping they can set examples for all of them!" Sarah sat back, steepled her fingers and pressed her index fingers hard against her mouth. The pressure helped drive back the rush of tears.

"Sarah-san? Are you all right?" Sarah stood up and bowed deeply.

"I humbly accept your offer, Ikuko-san, and with great relief. I found out this morning that it will take a lot of legwork to fix the hotel situation and knowing my children will be safe and having fun while I'm working on the problem is a large worry off my shoulders."

"Mom!"

"Mommy!"

Marc and Becca charged into the kitchen, Shingo, Chibi-Usa and Usagi on their heels. The Americans rushed their mother, who used the table to brace herself.

"Hey, kiddo-torpedoes. Have you been good?"

"Yep!" Becca chirped, hugging her mother's legs.

"Can we stay? Please, please, please?" Marc begged, clutching her shoulders.

"Will you be all right?" Sarah looked Marc right in the eyes and dropped her voice. "The talismans will be found in the next week or two. I don't know if I can get us home before then."

"This is the safest place for us," Marc whispered back. "I read the books too. Attacks never happen at Usagi's house."

"True. Keep your translation pens on you at all times, k?"

"Yes, Mom."

"Cuteness, you want to stay too?" Sarah looked down at Becca, who nodded.

"Chibi-Usa's fun and so's Luna P! She can make rainbows!" Becca announced. Sarah looked at Chibi-Usa, who blushed and scratched her head. Sarah smiled and hugged her children.

"You can stay."

"YAY!!" Becca broke free to jump up and down with Chibi-Usa, chanting "She said yes!" Marc kissed Sarah's cheek before strolling over to Shingo and exchanging high fives. Usagi clapped her hands, smiling. Sarah reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. She handed it to Ikuko with a bow.

"Please accept this for the care and feeding of my kiddos," She said. Ikuko unfolded the paper and gasped.

"Sarah-san!" Sarah shook her head.

"I honestly don't know how long we'll be here. It could be weeks. Please accept it. You're caring for the most precious things in my life." Ikuko nodded and tucked the check into her apron pocket.

"Thank you for allowing us this opportunity."

"Sarah-neesan! We need to hurry to meet Mako-chan!" Usagi called. Sarah nodded.

"I'm heading out, you two!" She called. Her kids glomped her again. "Be good and listen to Mr. & Mrs. Tsukino. Got it?"

"Got it!"

"Gitchee gitchee goo."

"Gitchee gitchee goo!" Sarah hugged and kissed her kiddos and followed Usagi out the door, taking only her purse.

"What was that?" Usagi asked as they walked toward the Parlor.

"Our special way of saying 'I love you'," Sarah answered.