That Special Magic
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
http://strands-of-moonlight.my3gb.com
-or- http://strands-of-moonlight.6te.net
A Sekkushiaru Roman
featuring characters from the anime "Sailor Moon"> Chapter 5 - A Fantasy Interrupted <
Mamoru sat on his couch, wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt, trying to read a book. He had just sensed that Sailor Moon had transformed, but still felt no summons from his psychic alert. Once more, he had a deep feeling that something was wrong. When he had left the marina, an almost arctic chill had flooded him, and he couldn't help but think this was coming from his beloved Sailor Moon. The sensation had quickly faded, and there had been no alert, so he continued on his way home.
Giving up on the book, he tossed it aside, then stood up and walked out onto his balcony. The night air was cool but comfortable, and the noises of the city echoed softly around him. He stood there for a moment, still plagued by this strange foreboding, then turned and went back inside, leaving the door open.
Just then, there was a rush behind him, and a pair of hands grabbed his shoulders, shoving him violently to the floor.
"You son of a bitch!" Sailor Moon cried.
"What?" His surprise was boundless, even as ice seemed to freeze around his heart.
"Enjoyed your little joke, you bastard?" she asked, her voice ringing with anger.
She rolled him over and slapped him hard across the face. He blinked in pain and surprise, looking up to see her eyes ablaze with hatred. The pain in his chest became unbearable.
"What is this about?" he asked.
"I know who you are... Tuxedo Kamen," she declared, spitting out the words. "And I know you, Chiba Mamoru! You who have hardly spoken a single word that wasn't dripping in sarcasm!"
"What are you talking about?" he asked, stunned.
She slapped him again, harder than before. "Do you think I'm just a stupid school girl... an odango atama?"
His eyes went wide. "Usagi?" he gasped.
"Don't play dumb with me, you bastard!" she cried. "What you've done is unforgivable!"
"I don't know what you're talking about," he protested. "All I know is that I'm in love with you!"
She slapped him repeatedly. "Bastard! Don't you dare say that! Don't you dare! You've shown what you truly are in how you've treated me as Usagi! The rest was all lies!"
"Usagi! Wait!" he cried, trying to grab hold of her arms.
"For what?" she asked, still blazing with anger. "To hear more of your lies?! I've listened to as much of those as I ever care to hear!"
"Wait!" he gasped.
She swung off him, then drove her hand into his solar plexus, knocking the breath out of him. As he writhed in pain on the floor, struggling for breath, she rose to her feet.
"You're just lucky I don't cry rape, you bastard! I wish I'd never met you! And I hope I never see you again!" She turned on her heel and stormed out.
"Sailor Moon!... Usagi!" he gasped, still hardly able to breathe, and feeling like she had just ripped his heart out of his chest.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Usagi jumped in through her bedroom window and transformed back to normal. She had a bright smile on her face.
"Usagi, what have you done?" Luna asked, not looking forward to the answer.
"With a little help from the phone book and Ami's computer, I found his apartment," Usagi said, triumph ringing in her voice. "And I gave that bastard the beating he deserved!"
"You did what?!" Luna asked, stunned.
"Just what I said," Usagi replied. "I threw it all back in his face, while beating the stuffing out of him."
"Usagi, that's not what your Senshi powers are for," Luna said. "I am deeply disappointed in you."
"But you were the one who said I had to settle this," Usagi countered.
"Not by beating him up," Luna said. "Usagi. Anyone can use force. That's the Dark Kingdom's way. They see something they want and they just take it. But we're supposed to be civilized. That means we use our brains, not our fists."
"But after what he did..."
"And just what did he do, Usagi? What did you do?" Luna pressed. "You thought you were in love with him when he was just a man of fantasy, but you also insisted that the fantasy was real. When I told you to settle this, I had in mind that you should try to figure out how much of the fantasy is actually reality."
Usagi sat down on her bed, no longer feeling so certain or so triumphant. "But he's Mamoru, the most cruel and insulting person I've ever met," she said softly.
"Usagi! That is not true, and you know it!" Luna declared. "All Mamoru has ever done is make a few cutting remarks, usually in response to something you've done. Your hurt feelings are nothing compared to the evil of the Dark Kingdom. They would kill everybody on Earth if they thought it would serve their purpose."
"Luna, that's not fair," Usagi protested.
"It's not fair that any of us are in this situation, Usagi," Luna said. "It's not fair that the princess is hidden away somewhere, maybe in danger. It's not fair that so many people have already been put in danger by the Dark Kingdom."
"That's not what I meant..."
"I know just what you meant," Luna interrupted. "You meant that you want everything to be simple and straightforward like in a child's storybook, and you want an easy answer. Well... life doesn't work that way, Usagi. You have to grow up."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Still battered and bruised, Mamoru gave up on a fruitless quest for sleep, getting dressed and going out on his motorcycle. He hadn't felt so utterly miserable since his parents had died. Soon, he found himself approaching the marina, but kept going. He knew he wouldn't be able to bear being on the yacht. There would be too many memories there.
For another hour, he drove aimlessly around the city. Finally, he stopped at the park, leaving his bike and walking around.
As he walked, he continued to struggle with what had happened. He had avoided the question of true identities with her, determined to let her make the first move on that when she felt comfortable. Somehow, she had figured out on her own who he really was. It was exactly the way he had not wanted it to happen. And now, it appeared that all the jibes he'd directed at her since they'd first met had been repaid to him many times over, leaving him in more pain than he'd ever known.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Usagi hadn't slept well either, finding herself plagued by feelings of loss and emptiness. She couldn't get his face out of her mind, and now that she knew who he was, she no longer could see any differences in appearance between Mamoru and Tuxedo Kamen. She kept remembering how wonderful it had felt to fall asleep next to him on the yacht after making love, and how exquisitely happy she had been for those few hours.
Finally, she'd given up on sleep altogether, getting dressed and going downstairs.
"Usagi. You're up early," Kenji commented. "Are you feeling any better?"
"Not much, I'm afraid," she said.
"Good morning, dear," Ikuko said, kissing Usagi's cheek. "Would you like some breakfast?"
"Maybe a little," Usagi said.
She sat down to eat, remaining quiet and preoccupied. Finished, she stood up again.
"I'm going to leave for school," she said quietly. "Bye, Mom. Bye, Daddy."
At the door, she slipped on her shoes, picked up her lunch and her briefcase, then walked outside.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Usagi. What happened to you?" Ami asked as they sat together for lunch. "You've been in a daze all morning."
"I didn't sleep well," Usagi said softly.
"Did you have your face off with Mamoru?" Ami asked.
Usagi nodded, a grim expression on her face. "At first, I felt so happy to have told him off and to have given him pain like he'd given me. But after I got home, and been on the receiving end of one of Luna's lectures, I wasn't so sure. And when I tried to sleep, I could only remember how happy we'd been the other night."
"So, maybe you were premature to confront him," Ami suggested.
"Maybe," Usagi agreed. "Although after my encounter with him, I doubt it can be undone."
"Do you want it undone?" Ami asked.
Usagi fell silent. "I wouldn't want to see him hurt the way I hurt him," she finally said.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Usagi and Ami were walking toward the Hickawa Temple after school, when their communicators beeped.
"The Dark Kingdom has struck again!" Luna's voice declared. "Get to the park, quickly!"
They broke into a run, soon reaching the park. Finding cover behind some trees, they transformed. Ami immediately activated her computer and began scanning the area.
"Over there," Ami said, pointing.
Usagi produced her communicator. "Mars, where are you?" she called.
"I'm by the lake," Mars answered. "And I could use a little help."
"We'll be right there," Usagi said, switching off her communicator.
In moments, they found Sailor Mars, who was blasting a youma. Mercury rushed forward and clouded the air with her chilling fog. Mars struck the youma once more, finishing it off.
"Got it!" Mars cried triumphantly.
Suddenly, an hysterical laughter filled the air as a second youma appeared. "You've stumbled right into our trap!" it declared.
The Senshi found themselves dodging powerful bursts of energy, thrown back onto the defensive. Just then, a rose struck the youma.
"A heart may be deceived, but truth remains," Tuxedo Kamen declared sternly, remaining at a distance.
"Sailor Moon!" Mercury prompted.
Sailor Moon hurled her tiara at the youma, destroying it.
"Tuxedo Kamen!" Sailor Moon called, turning toward him.
"Well done, Sailor Moon," he said, his voice remaining stern and detached. "I must go now. I don't want to be accused of lying to you again." He turned and disappeared.
Sailor Moon stood there, recognizing the hurt in his voice, and feeling a renewed pain in her own heart.
"What was that all about?" Mars asked.
"She found out who he is," Mercury answered softly. "And it was the person who has been regularly teasing her."
Mars looked at Mercury, her eyes wide, and mouthed Mamoru's name. Mercury nodded.
"She stormed over to his apartment in a blind rage and beat him up," Mercury explained.
Sailor Moon rejoined them. "And now I think that was a terrible mistake."
"You still love him?" Mars asked.
"I'm not sure," Sailor Moon replied softly. "But he said he loved me, and I know we both felt so incredibly happy... And I just ripped his heart out... but now I feel like I did it to myself."
Mars leaned closer to Mercury. "I think she's got it bad," Mars whispered.
Mercury nodded. "Let's get back to the Temple. I haven't seen any sign of Luna, so she'll probably meet us there."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Usagi stood outside Mamoru's apartment building. She was still struggling with her feelings, but wanted desperately to at least apologize to him. Looking up, she saw him approaching. He hesitated when he saw her, and frowned.
"Mamoru-san," she said, moving toward him. "I wanted to speak with you."
"I think you said quite enough last night," he replied coldly. "And I see no point in going through that again, Usagi-chan."
"But Mamoru-san..."
He pushed past her. "I'm sorry you felt the way you did," he said, cutting her off. "But if I did anything wrong, it was only in thinking you were mature enough to handle this. I'm sorry, Usagi-chan, and I will not trouble you again."
Before she could respond, he marched inside, the door closing behind him. She stood there, an icy feeling clamping around her heart, and tears forming in her eyes.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Did you apologize to him?" Luna asked, as she and Usagi sat in her bedroom.
Usagi shook her head. "He wouldn't let me," she said, tears flowing from her eyes. "He refused to speak with me."
"Well, I was afraid of that," Luna said. "He doesn't want to get hurt again, so he's keeping you away."
"He said I wasn't mature enough to handle it," Usagi said.
Luna nodded. "I'm afraid I have to agree with that, Usagi. I just wish he'd realized that a little sooner."
"Luna!" Usagi objected. "That was never the problem!"
"Oh, really?" Luna asked. "If you were really so ready for such a relationship then finding out who he was wouldn't have made that much of a difference."
"Luna, you are so mean," Usagi said, swatting at her again with a pillow.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The next day, Tokyo was abuzz with a rash of jewelry store robberies overnight.
"My mother's store was ransacked," Naru said. "But as best as she could tell, nothing was actually stolen."
"I was checking the latest news reports online," Ami said. "And that appears to have been the case in each of the break-ins."
"But why?" Usagi asked. "They could have stolen a small fortune just from your mother's store, Naru-chan."
"I don't know," Naru replied. "My mother thought it must be vandals, until the police told her it was part of a series of break-ins."
"It is very strange," Ami said. "Almost like whoever is behind this is looking for something in particular."
Usagi glanced over at Ami, realizing she must be referring to the mysterious ginzuishou.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mamoru was at the Tokyo Business Club for his monthly meeting with the trustee of his family estate.
"Good afternoon, Kobayashi-san," he greeted the older man, who was standing with another man.
"Ah, Mamoru-san, it is good to see you," Kobayashi said. "I have someone I'd like you to meet. This is Tsukino Kenji, junior city editor with the Gota Group. Tsukino-san, this is Chiba Mamoru."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Chiba-san," Kenji said.
"The pleasure is mine, Tsukino-san," Mamoru replied. "So, is Kobayashi trying to lure you away from Gota?"
"Well, we're just discussing some possibilities," Kenji said.
"We're looking for a new senior editor for our news magazine," Kobayashi said. "And Tsukino-san is highly respected."
"I think Kobayashi-san exaggerates," Kenji said. "I'm sure you'd want someone with more experience."
"Well, Tsukino-san, I greatly respect Kobayashi-san's judgement, just as my father did," Mamoru said. "And I'm sure he wouldn't waste your time if he didn't think you were fully capable."
"Very true," Kobayashi agreed.
"But I'm sure you two will wish to discuss this in private, so I will not intrude," Mamoru said. "Kobayashi-san, we can meet another time."
"That will be fine, Mamoru-san," Kobayashi said.
"Oh, Tsukino-san," Mamoru said. "By any chance, do you have a daughter?"
Kenji looked surprised. "Why, yes. I do. Her name is Usagi. Why?"
Mamoru nodded. "By coincidence, I've met her. One of my good friends at the university works at the Crown Arcade, and I've seen her there a few times. I recognized your name, and was just curious." Mamoru bowed. "Have a good day, Tsukino-san. I hope things work out well for you, whatever you may decide."
"Thank you, Chiba-san," Kenji replied, bowing in return. "It has been a pleasure to meet you."
Mamoru walked back outside, once more thinking of Usagi, and feeling the ache in his heart becoming again more pronounced.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It was just growing dark as Usagi, Ami, Rei, and Luna sat together at the Temple.
"The Dark Kingdom has launched an all-out search for the ginzuishou," Luna said. "That's what's behind all these jewelry store break-ins."
"Is there any indication that they'll find it this way?" Rei asked.
Luna shook her head. "None that I've been able to find. In fact, my research has just turned up a suggestion that the ginzuishou may not even be in one piece."
"Not in one piece? How can that be?" Ami asked.
"I'm not sure yet," Luna said. "Unfortunately, I don't have complete information."
"So, what are we going to do?" Rei asked.
"It appears that they are coordinating around the park," Luna said. "We'll go there and see what we can find."
"But the break-ins have been all over the city," Usagi pointed out.
"True. But no one appears to have been seriously hurt," Luna said. "Thus, I don't think the youmas doing the break-ins are a serious threat to bystanders."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Sailors raced into the park. Just then, an intense field of energy enveloped them, sweeping them away.
"Hello, Sailor Senshi," Nephrite laughed triumphantly. "I now have you, and very soon I will have the ginzuishou."
Two of Nephrite's youma appeared, empty-handed. He growled in frustration, sending them away. As they faded from sight, the black crystal in Nephrite's hand suddenly began to glow.
With Nephrite's attention on the glowing crystal, energy flashed behind him and three more youma appeared. Nephrite spun around, narrowly avoiding the youmas' attack. He rolled away, then hurled powerful energy bursts at the youmas.
"What's going on?" Rei asked.
"I don't know," Ami replied.
Nephrite leapt forward, seizing one of the youmas, and twisting its neck sharply. As that youma collapsed to the ground and turned into dust, the remaining two jumped to the attack. One grazed Nephrite's arm with a long blade. Though clearly in pain, Nephrite blasted both youmas, throwing them back. He seized the blade, and struck the second youma, finishing it off. Suddenly, a hail of sharp spikes struck Nephrite from behind. As he wheeled around, another man in a similar uniform appeared there.
"Damn you, Zoisite!" Nephrite cursed. "You'll pay for this!"
"I doubt it," Zoisite replied. "Queen Beryl won't care that you died because of your own incompetence and that I successfully completed the mission which should have been entrusted to me in the first place."
Nephrite jumped forward with an angry growl. Zoisite responded with a force blast, knocking him away. At the same time, a sharp spear appeared behind Zoisite, stabbing into his arm, bringing a scream of pain from him. Two of Nephrite's youma appeared and jumped Zoisite, even as Zoisite's remaining youma attacked Nephrite.
The field holding the Sailors faded away and they found themselves freed.
"This looks like a feud between Dark Kingdom rivals," Ami said.
"That sounds like the only good outcome for us is if they finish each other off," Usagi said.
"Right," Rei agreed.
Though wracked with pain, Nephrite finished off the youma attacking him, then hurled another energy blast at Zoisite, who was gaining the upper hand against Nephrite's youma.
Two more youma appeared, catching the Senshi by surprise.
"Look out!" Rei cried, diving to the ground.
Ami rolled away, then unleashed a cloud of bubbles and fog. Rei hit one of the youma with her fire soul, while Usagi destroyed the other with her tiara.
Suddenly, a much larger youma appeared, striking a huge thorn-like spear into Nephrite's abdomen. Nephrite screamed, then faded away in a burst of energy. The youma swung its blade toward the Senshi, knocking Ami and Usagi painfully to the ground. Rei attacked with her fire soul, but it had no apparent effect. The youma then closed in on Sailor Moon.
Tuxedo Kamen arrived just in time to see this, and his heart froze in his chest. Immediately, he hurled several roses at the youma, which screamed as the roses disrupted its magic. Tuxedo Kamen jumped forward, extending his cane to strike the youma in the face, sending it stumbling back.
Sailor Moon's eyes flickered open, and she looked up at him. "Tuxedo Kamen," she whispered.
The youma roared once more. Tuxedo Kamen helped Sailor Moon to her feet, while Mars attacked the youma again. Sailor Moon reached for her tiara, hurling it at the youma and destroying it.
The injured Zoisite now swept forward, having finished off the last of Nephrite's youma, and hurled bursts of energy at the Senshi. Tuxedo Kamen immediately moved to shield Sailor Moon, then threw a rose at Zoisite. Zoisite was unable to dodge, and fell back in pain.
"We will continue this another time, Senshi," Zoisite declared. He then vanished.
"It looks we have a new Dark Kingdom leader to deal with now," Sailor Mars said.
Tuxedo Kamen took hold of Sailor Moon's hand. "Are you alright?" he asked.
She nodded. "I think so." She looked up at him, then threw herself into his arms, sobbing. "Oh, Mamoru. I'm so sorry for how I treated you. It was all my fault."
He held her close, overjoyed to know she was safe. Though a part of him wanted to just take her home and hold her there, a voice of caution reminded him of what had just happened and of how young she still was. He gazed down at her, seeing those large, beautiful blue eyes marred with tears and his heart swelling with emotion. Leaning down, he kissed her softly.
"Usagi... Usako," he whispered. "Don't cry, my love."
She smiled up at him, seeing the love in his eyes. His lips brushed over hers once more, and she sighed happily as a warmth of love, happiness, and security spread through her.
"Mamoru... Mamo-chan..." she sighed. "Can we still spend the weekend together? Please? My parents aren't expecting me home."
He looked down at her, the voice of caution still within him, but his heart longing to hold her. His body was eagerly urging him to take her home, but he struggled with this, wanting to be certain he was doing what was right for this young woman he loved so much. Finally he nodded, then kissed her again.
"I'd love to spend the weekend with you, my love," he said softly.
She smiled happily, slipping her hand into his as they walked away.
"I'll see you later," she called back to the other Senshi. She turned to him and lowered her voice. "I need to spend the weekend making up to the man I love."< To be continued >
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NOTE: I suspect you can guess what comes next. Still more to come.Always remember, good gentles, that a yarnspinner works from and within existing legends and stories. The characters of "Sailor Moon" belong to others. In spinning my yarns, I do not seek to infringe on their rights of ownership, but merely to join with other fans to spread the legend still further. "The moonlight carries a message of love." Enjoy.
-07.05.2001