Shingo stood there, dumbfounded and in the bathtub. When Usagi made her wonderful announcement, he didn't know how to respond. (Mainly because Mamoru and the girls were downstairs, he could hear Kousagi squeaking for the television from here.) So it was a 50-50 chance of her being pregnat, he knew that when he offered to buy the test. So why was he standing there, mouth agape at the news? Finally, a small smile crossed his face as he turned to his sister. 

"Hey, congrat-"

Suddenly, Kousagi let out a high pitched yell. 

"Nooooo, daddy, I don't want bathtime!"

Shingo tripped over the edges of the shower curtain-the liner, to be exact- and was able to maintain balance by flailing around like a chicken and  grasping for the edge of the tub. He didn't land with too much of a noise. He looked at Usagi, his eyes as wide as dinnerplates. He could hear the argument downstairs-Kousagi was throwing a louder and louder fit. Sooner or later, one of two things would happen. 1. Mamoru would ask for help reeling Kousagi in or 2. He would just drag Kousagi up to the bathroom himself.

The bathroom where Shingo was hiding and the pregnancy test was still plainly visible to anyone who would open that door. 

"Crap, Usagi, what do we do!?"

Mamoru was exhausted at this point, he really wanted to take a hot shower and go to bed, after checking in on his wife of course. Normally he would fight Kousagi on the matter, but he was too exhausted. He looked down at his daughter as he said "One show and then bath time, and then bedtime, you have to get your sleep if you want to grow up to be a big girl," he said as he looked around the room for Chibiusa.

When he couldn't find her he got up and walked around the house to look for her, occasionally calling her name, "Chibiusa, where did you go?" He asked hoping she was just playing one of her hiding games.

Usagi started to panic. "Okay, um, um, um..." she tried to speak, but nothing came out. What could they do? She couldn't hide the test - Mamoru would surely find it if she tried, or if she threw it away. In her panic, Usagi tossed the used test back into the box and shoved the box back into the bag Shingo had given her. With a small squeal, Usagi tossed the bag to the the back of the cupboard beneath the sink before pulling Shingo out of the shower.

"Okay, here's the plan," she said, praying it would work. "We'll pretend I got sick again, and you were in here holding my hair. Okay?"

Chibiusa didn't even have time to check on her mother when she got home. Already, she was told to get ready for her bath. Without a word, she slipped up the stairs to her room and started undressing, leaving her clothes on the floor as a sign of rebellion. She was not very happy with her dad or Kousagi. She just wanted that rabbit! Why did they have to ruin everything?

In a huff, Chibiusa wrapped a tower around herself before going out into the hallway to go to the bathroom. The door was shut, and Chibiusa could hear whispering inside. Knocking, she leaned up against the door and said, "Mama? Are you in there?"

Kousagi jumped up and down on the couch, clapping her hands together in her tiny victory. "Yaaay!" She cheered, as her tiny hands fumbled for the remote. There were many different buttons, but Kousagi was a smart girl. She knew that two of the buttons made the channels change-and she knew that typing in the numbers 45 on the keypad would take her to the cartoons she wanted. How did it do this? Kousagi had a theory-faeries. There were many tiny TV-faeries that lived in the remote and the television, and that whenever someone hit a key, the remote faeries would call the TV-faeries to cast a white snow spell to change the channel. She saw the white snow on the tv multiple times-so it had to be true! (One of these days, she would find these faeries.)

Kousagi punched the keys four and five with her index finger, and a bright and bubbly cartoon popped up on the screen. She sat down, and only then did she notice her sister wasn't there beside her. Cupping her hands over her mouth, she hollered:

"Chibi-usaaaaaaaa! You're gonna miss cartooooons!"

Before Shingo could nod with approval at Usagi's brilliant scheme, he heard Chibiusa's quiet inquiry on the other side of the door, followed by Kousagi rather loud announcement for cartoons. Wasting no time, he grabbed at his sisters hair lightly-and put his hand against the door so the child couldn't open it. 

"Yes, yes, your mother is in here. And your uncle, too." He shot a nervous look at Usagi. Was this really going to work? He glanced over his shoulder and noticed the door under the sink. Luckily, it was completely shut-there was no sign of anything out of place being there. When would they have a chance to get rid of it-or at the very least, find a better hiding spot-now?

"Your mom still isn't feeling very well." Shingo cringed. He knew that, by saying that, she would most likely get Mamoru out of worry for her mother. And then what? Maybe Shingo could move the test out of the bathroom while he was escorting her? That sounded like an idea.

Mamoru plopped down on the couch. He rested his head against the back of the couch. He was glad Kousagi was happy, but he was also ready for her to take her bath and go to bed. He would give her and Chibiusa their baths after the cartoon was over. He would put the girls to bed and he would get ready for bed soon after.


When Chibiusa didn’t answer to her sisters plea for cartoons, Mamoru got up to check on her. He wondered if the child had already fallen asleep. As he got up he loosened his tie and rolled up the sleeves on his shirt. He headed towards Chibiusa’s bedroom to see if she was there.

Taking a deep breath, Usagi nodded at Shingo and opened the door, smiling down at her daughter. "Sorry sweetie, I'm not feeling too well. Uncle Shingo was just helping me. Where's Daddy and Kousagi?" Usagi said, craning her neck to look her her husband. Wanting to see his smile, Usagi moved past Chibiusa and walked down the hall, stopping when she saw him. She couldn't keep the grin off of her face at seeing the man she loved with all her heart. 

"I missed you," she said quietly, hugging around his torso. Her nerves began to calm down as she breathed in Mamoru's scent and cherished his warmth.

Shingo gave Usagi a brief nod in return, and as soon as she approached Mamoru in a loving embrace, he opened the cabinet under the sink and swiped the bag. He opened it for a split second, and scanned it's contents. Yep! Everything down to the recept was in there. He waited until Mamoru hugged her back, and scooted out the door and down the stairs, the plastic bundle stuffed down his shirt. 

Now where to hide it? The kitchen? No, it's the busiest room in the house-Mamoru would definitely stumble across it sooner or later. Where would he be able to hide it without Mamoru or the kids wouldn't find it?

Mamoru smiled as Usagi walked up to him and embraced him. He wrapped his arms around her gently. He rested his cheek on top of her head for a moment before bending down to kiss her cheek. He still held her as he spoke.

“Are you feeling any better Usako?” He asked calmly as he allowed himself to relax.  He hated when she was sick and he couldn’t help her. He was a doctor, he of all people should be able to help his wife when she is sick. Sometimes though, rest was just what the doctor ordered.

Once Usagi had answered him, Mamoru loosened his arms from his wife as he stood straighter. “I’d better go get Kousagi and Chibiusa in the bath if they are going to get to bed on time,” he said after planting one more kiss on Usagi’s forehead.


“I will be back once the girls are down for the night,” he said wondering how Usagi managed to give the girls their bath and get them to bed on time each night. He was exhausted, but he didn’t mind doing this every once in awhile. He enjoyed reading the girls bedtime stories too, maybe he could take on more nights with them to help Usagi if she wasn’t feeling well or just needed some alone time.

Usagi smiled into her husband's embrace. "A little, thanks for asking," she replied, relishing in the feeling of his warm lips on her forehead. She couldn't help but smile as he left to give the girls a bath. She wanted to see Kousagi, but knew there would be time for that later. Right now, she needed to take care of Shingo. 

Heading downstairs, she spotted her brother searching for someplace to hide the bag. "What are you doing?!" she hissed, grabbing his shirt and shoving him to the door. "You've got to take that thing away! Take it home and hide it under your bed or something!" Usagi opened the door for him and shoved him out, pausing before she shut it on him. Feeling a wave of emotion, Usagi stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her brother, squeezing him in her trademark hug. "I love you. Thanks for doing this. Come back and we'll eat dinner together, okay?"

Chibiusa smiled at the sight of her mother, but felt sad when she heard that she still wasn't feeling well. Usagi left, and Chibiusa entered the bathroom to start the water. "Daaaaaad!" she yelled, a complaint being heard in her voice. "Whyyyy do I still have to take a stupid bath? I'm old enough to take showers on my own!" she whined. Despite her protests, Chibiusa stepped into the water and sank down, closing her eyes at the soothing feeling. She knew it was only a matter of time until Kousagi came in and disturbed the peace.

Mamoru pinched his brow.  At Chibiusa’s protests he simply said, “Chibiusa, sweetheart can you just do this for daddy tonight, its been a long day. Tomorrow and any day after today you can shower on your own.” He understood his eldest daughter’s protests, she was old enough to use the shower on her own, and he would let her any other day. Today though, he needed her to cooperate with him and he was glad when she stepped into the tub. Mamoru was exhausted and ready for bed and to share the events of his day with his wife.  Mamoru felt a sense of relief when he heard Chibiusa get into the tub.

Mamoru returned to the living room and scooped up Kousagi and set her on his shoulders as he galloped down the hall. “Alright little lady- it’s time for your bath, no more protests okay.” He said in a serious tone before laughing so Kousagi knew he was teasing her, but also that it would be best if she listened to him.

"Fine," Chibiusa huffed, making a mental note not to look at Kousagi when she entered the bathroom. She just wanted to get out of this bath as soon as possible and go to her room so she could brood in peace. So without waiting for her dad, Chibiusa put shampoo (a little too much, perhaps) in her hands and started scrubbing her hair.

Shingo embraced his sister and quickly shuffled out the front door; the secret parcel in hand. He could hear Kousagi screaming and throwing the tantrum of the century from the front porch, and a smile spread itself across his face. Wasn't he like that when he was her age? He'd have to ask Usagi about it later.

He walked to the bus stop and waited, tapping his foot nervously and kept checking the clock on his cellphone. He hoped he hadn't missed it! After today, all he wanted to do was go to his apartment and do nothing but sleep. His sister and Mamoru almost caught him this time-there was no way they could ever find out. He had to be more careful.

Next time, they'd find out for sure. Shingo sighed and opened his suitcase, looking at the bag with the pregnancy test.

Sure, his sister trusted him. Heck, she trusted him enough with this precious secret and the hard evidence of it.

Would she still trust him if she found out?

Of course Kousagi had heard her father's honest plea for her to comply to the bath. But what kind of kid would she be if she didn't fight back! Even Chibiusa, her bestest and oldest sister ever, had seemed to fall in line to the power of bathtime! She began to kick and punch and squirm to the best of her abilities, screaming and wailing as loud as her lungs could go.

"NO BATH! NONONONONO! TV! PUPPY! MOMMY!" Tears were falling faster then her screams. "MOMMY! NO BATH!" In a desperate attempt to escape the inevitable.

Mamoru was beginning to feel frustrated. When Kousagi began to hit, kick, and punch him while he carried her on his shoulders, it took everything within him not to snap. He was on edge and just needed to sleep. He pulled Kousagi off of his shoulders, keeping a firm grip on her arms as he set her down.

He looked in her eyes as he spoke firmly. “Kousagi, you know you need to take a bath, mommy will say the same thing, now will you please go take a bath?”

“I don’t want to have to tell mommy about what happened about the pet shop. She may think you are not ready for a puppy.” He said, knowing it would probably upset her, but at this point he didn’t care. He was at his wits end.


Chibiusa’s attitude wasn’t helping either. Mamoru sat waiting for Kousagi to make a decision as to whether or not she was going to listen to him.

Kousagi gasped. Anything but that! She looked to her sister for backup, but found her ignoring her and washing her hair instead.

Kousagi now faced the greatest choice in her young life. Go and take the scary bath and just give up? Or fight tooth and nail since baths are icky and lose the puppy forever?

She gulped; intimidated by the stern look in her father's eyes. She glanced on the floor, and her feet turned inward.

The choice was clear. With a new spark in her eyes, Kousagi lifted up her arms-the position of defeat. She was ready for her father to undress her and put her in the dismal waters.

For the puppy? It was worth it.

Mamoru smiled when Kousagi complied and showed she was ready to go take her bath. “Thank-you sweetie, let’s go get this bath over, it’s beginning to be past your bedtime. You need to get your sleep if you want to grow up to be big and strong. 

Mamoru lifted Kousagi’s shirt and then carried her to the bath. He helped her finish undressing and placed her in the tub. Mamoru rolled up his sleeves and found the loofa that looked like a bunny. He wanted Kousagi to not be sad. He was still planning on getting the girls a puppy whether she took a bath or not, but he had to play like he meant business. He hated being the bad guy, but sometimes he had to be the bad guy, only to come right back and be the good guy. 

He found the bunny loofa and began to scrub Kousagi’s shoulders. Mamoru altered his voice to pretend to be the loofa. “So Kousagi, a little bird tells me you are going to get a puppy, is it true?” Mamoru said in a high pitched tone as he washed Kousagi’s arms.

Kousagi was not amused by her dad's squeaking voice. She sat there in the water, her lower lip sticking out in an pout. She put her one arm down and lifted her other arm up, reluctance ready for washing.

She turned her head to the side, focused on the big cluster of bubbles resting in the corner of the tub. How did they get that big? She watched as the cluster of foam drifted across the watertop from the corner to the edge of the shower curtain-and was a bit disappointed when most of the bubbles popped.

"....yeah." She mumbled. When both of her arms were free, she crossed them.

Unknown to Mamoru or her two daughters, Usagi was leaning against the bathroom doorframe, smiling as her husband practiced his ventriloquism. Her eyes scanned his body, taking notice of how tense his shoulders were and how tired his eyes seemed to be. Her daughters didn't seem to be at their best either, both giving attitude to their father when all he was trying to do was give them a bath. Usagi knew it would be best for her to step in and let him take a breather.

"Mamo-chan, may I give them a bath? I've missed my girls," Usagi said, entering the bathroom and dropping to her knees by the tub.

Mamoru glanced at his wife. She must have sensed he was in trouble. “You are an angel,” he said as he kissed his wife’s cheek tenderly. “I am going to go rest my eyes a bit,” he said as he disappeared and walked to their bedroom.


Mamoru walked into his room and unbuttoned his shirt before he lay down on their bed. He pulled out a book and began to read, but his eyes grew heavy and he found himself drifting off to sleep, his book falling on his face as he did so.

Kousagi nearly jumped out of the bath when she saw her mother approach. She clapped and clapped and when Usagi knelt down and was close enough to the edge of the tub, Kousagi leaned right over and gave her a big hug!

"MAMA!" She shrieked happily, the water and bubbles from her hair dripping all over Usagi's clothing. "Mama!" She squeaked again as she hugged her mothers clothing. She hadn't seen much of her mommy today! Kousagi hated baths, but now that mommy seemed better, this was going to be the best bath ever! She gave Usagi a kiss on the cheek.

She was so happy mommy was feeling better again!

Usagi felt her flip when Mamoru's warm lips touched her cheek. She loved those small gestures, even after receiving them thousands of times. But she couldn't help the small twinge of worry, telling her that there was something wrong with her husband.

Pushing her worries behind her, Usagi began to give her two princesses a bath. She laughed when Kousagi hugged her, getting her soaking wet. But Usagi didn't even care - these were the moments with her children that she would cherish forever. "Hi sweetheart. Did you have a good time with Daddy today? Tell me all about it."

"Mmmmm..." Kousagi averted her eyes and let go of her mother, and began to splash the water and watch the ripples. Did she want to tell mommy how she messed up? How she made a big mess at the ice cream shop, and almost hurt a baby bunny? Mommy already wasn't feeling too well-and baby bunnies getting hurt is defiantly not what Kousagi would want to hear if she was feeling icky.

"...'Don't wanna." She mumbled, grabbing at the rubber duck that floated past her ankle. She gave it a good hard squeeze, and water squirted out of its mouth and hit Chibiusa directly between her eyes.