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 7 - Fresh Discoveries <

        Usagi walked out of the school building with Kino Makoto, a new student who had just arrived that morning. They had met during lunch, where Usagi discovered Makoto was a superb cook.
        "Are you heading home, Makoto-chan?" Usagi asked.
        "Well, I hadn't really decided," Makoto said. "Do you have any suggestions, Usagi-chan?"
        "I like to go to an arcade near here," Usagi replied. "When I'm not spending time with my boyfriend."
        "You have a boyfriend? Who is he? Did I meet him at school?"
        "Oh, no," Usagi said, shaking her head. "He's a university student."
        "Really? Wow. What do your parents say about that?" Makoto asked.
        "Uhm... Well... They don't know yet," Usagi answered. "But how about you. Do you have a boyfriend?"
        Makoto shook her head. "Not any more," she said softly.
        "What happened?... If you don't mind my asking."
        Makoto remained silent for a moment. "He never really said. He just dumped me... But I think he couldn't handle having a girlfriend who could outfight him."
        "You fought with him?" Usagi asked.
        "Oh, no," Makoto said. "But we were in a karate class after school. I was the only one there who succeeded in taking down the instructor."
        Usagi nodded. "You think that's why he dumped you."
        "Probably."
        They soon reached the Crown Arcade, finding a small crowd gathered around the crane game.
        "This place is packed!" Makoto exclaimed.
        "Well, this is not the way it usually is," Usagi said. She recognized another girl in the crowd. "What is going on?"
        The girl turned toward them. "It's 'Crane Machine' Joe," the girl said. "He always gets any toy he wants from the machine."
        "Wow! He got another one!" another girl exclaimed.
        There was movement in front of them as Joe, a tall boy with glasses and wearing a baseball cap, made his way through the crowd. He stepped past Usagi and Makoto, and walked out through the door.
        "He's really handsome," Makoto exclaimed softly.
        "Why don't you go after him then," Usagi suggested, a grin on her face.
        "What?... Oh, no, I couldn't," Makoto said.
        "Come on!" Usagi insisted, pushing Makoto out the door. "This could be fate!"

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

        Makoto caught up with Joe several blocks later, having sprinted ahead of Usagi. Just as Makoto moved closer, Zoisite appeared ahead of Joe, holding up a black crystal that began to glow. As it did, Joe collapsed to the ground in pain.
        "You leave him alone!" Makoto yelled, rushing forward.
        Usagi caught up just in time to see Makoto attacking Zoisite with a flurry of karate moves, finally landing a very solid punch. Zoisite fell back, clutching his face.
        "Damn you! You've hurt my face!" Zoisite screamed. "If you've spoiled my face you'll pay for it!"
        Before Makoto or Usagi could react, Zoisite vanished. Makoto turned her attention to Joe, just as Luna found Usagi.
        "Usagi, there's something very strange going on here," Luna said.
        Usagi nodded. "Yes. Makoto-chan just beat up the new Dark Kingdom commander, Zoisite. He seemed most concerned about having his face bruised."
        "That's the least of our concerns," Luna said. "There's something unusual about this new girl..."
        "I'll say," Usagi agreed. "Whoever heard of someone being that good at karate at our age?"
        "That's not what I meant, Usagi," said the cat. "There are magic forces at work here. Until Zoisite showed up, I had thought she might have been a Dark Kingdom agent."
        Usagi looked up to see that Joe had regained his feet, and that Makoto was still following him.
        "We need to stay close to her," Usagi said, walking after Makoto.

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

        "I just want to help," Makoto told Joe. "You're obviously hurt."
        "I don't need any more help," Joe insisted. "Thanks for helping fight off that creep, but now you can just go on your way and leave me alone."
        "But..."
        "No buts," Joe said, irritation showing in his voice. "Now, please leave me alone." He turned and raced away. Makoto stood there for a moment, then hurried after him.
        Makoto caught up with Joe in the park, just as Zoisite reappeared. Zoisite's black crystal glowed again. Joe collapsed to the ground, his entire body glowing. As Joe cried out in pain, the glow became brighter over his chest. A glowing crystal seemed to emerge from his chest, flying into Zoisite's hand.
        "Stop!" Sailor Moon cried. "I won't let you hurt him!"
        Zoisite laughed. "I already have what I came for, Sailor Moon. And I'll leave you to take care of this boy. I think you may find he has a few surprises." Still laughing, Zoisite vanished.
        "What was that about?" Sailor Moon wondered.
        Joe cried out again, his body glowing still more brightly, then suddenly transforming into a youma. The youma jumped to its feet, turning to attack Sailor Moon.
        "Luna!" Sailor Moon cried in fright, diving aside.
        As Sailor Moon continued to dodge the youma, Makoto seized hold of it, sending the youma crashing to the ground with a judo throw. Just then, Luna noticed a glowing mark on Makoto's forehead.
        "Makoto!" Luna cried. "You're one of the Sailor Senshi!"
        "A talking cat?!" Makoto exclaimed in shock.
        Luna tossed Makoto a transformation pen. "Take this, and say 'Jupiter Power, Make Up'," Luna instructed. "There's no time to waste."
        Makoto saw that the youma had seized Sailor Moon. "Jupiter Power, Make Up!" she cried, finding herself transformed into Sailor Jupiter in a burst of energy.
        The youma turned to look at Jupiter, when she raised her hands. "Supreme thunder!" Jupiter cried, unleashing a powerful lightning blast which knocked the youma momentarily senseless, allowing Sailor Moon to escape. Jupiter raised her hands again.
        "No!" Luna said. "He's still human inside. We have to transform him back to normal."
        "How do we do that?" Sailor Moon asked.
        "Here!" Luna said, sliding a stick with a crescent moon on top of it to Sailor Moon. "Take this, swing it in an arc, and say 'moon healing escalation'."
        Sailor Moon did as Luna instructed, with the moon stick sending waves of energy over the youma and transforming Joe back to normal. He collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
        "It worked!" Sailor Moon exclaimed happily.
        "Yes," Luna said. "That stick belongs to the leader of the Senshi, and the one who has the chief responsibility for the protection of the princess."
        "Me? The leader?" Sailor Moon asked.
        "That's right," Luna said. "It is your duty, and your responsibility."
        "But what just happened here, Luna?" Sailor Moon asked.
        "We must return to the Temple," Luna said. "I need to share this with all of you, and to let Makoto know just what we Senshi are doing."
        "I would appreciate that," Jupiter said. "I am more than a little confused here."

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

        At the Temple, after introductions had been exchanged and Makoto had been briefed, Luna began her review of the current situation.
        "I've learned that the ginzuishou is not intact," Luna said. "After the fall of the Moon Kingdom a thousand years ago, the queen of the Moon sent the princess and her guardians, the Sailor Senshi, into the future. But somehow, the crystal fractured into seven pieces, called nijizuishou. Each piece is concealed within a human being, who has no idea that he or she is carrying it."
        "And that's what Zoisite is after," Rei said.
        "That's correct," Luna confirmed.
        "Is it just a matter of bringing all seven pieces together to make the ginzuishou reform?" Ami asked.
        "I don't know," Luna said. "But I think it is only prudent for us to assume that is the case."
        "So, what do we do now?" Usagi asked.
        "I have information for you, Ami, so you can program your computer to scan for nijizuishou," Luna said. "And Usagi, your moon stick has a sensor in it to register when a nijizuishou is nearby."
        "I may be able to find something through the fire," Rei suggested.
        "Any additional help would be welcome," Luna said. "Although I don't think I can give you much more help there."
        "I'm feeling a little left out here," Makoto said. "I don't really seem to have any way of contributing to the search."
        "Don't worry, Makoto," Luna said. "Once we do find the nijizuishou pieces I suspect there will be plenty of activities for each of you."

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

        Mamoru emerged from his classroom. He had felt Sailor Moon go into action earlier, and since then had found it all-but-impossible to concentrate on his class lectures. A part of himself had urged that he rush to her at once, regardless of consequences. As often as possible, he'd opened his mind to her, trying to reassure himself that she was safe. So far, it appeared that she was, but he still felt a pressure around his heart since he could not be there with her.
        He checked his watch, and walked to the elevator, heading down to the parking garage.

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

        About an hour later, Mamoru sat with Kobayashi at the Tokyo Business Club, going over monthly statements on the Chiba family businesses.
        "Excuse me, Mamoru-san, but you seem a bit distracted," Kobayashi said.
        Mamoru looked up from the report he was reading. "Hmm? Oh, well, I guess maybe I am."
        "Is anything wrong?"
        Mamoru shook his head. "Actually, I've met someone. She's very special."
        Kobayashi smiled and nodded, leaning back in his chair. "I'm very happy for you. How long have you been together?"
        "Not long," Mamoru said. "But it seems like we've known each other forever."
        Kobayashi nodded again. "I remember that I felt that way when my wife and I first began to see each other. I hope things work out well for you."
        "Thank you," Mamoru replied.
        "But I think we've spent enough time on business," Kobayashi continued. "Unless you have any further questions."
        Mamoru shook his head. "I don't think so. You're doing an outstanding job."
        Kobayashi held up his hand. "I cannot take full credit for it, Mamoru-san. The key is having good people in the right places."
        "I understand," Mamoru said. "And you are definitely among those."
        Kobayashi returned the reports to his briefcase and they stood up.
        "Oh, and speaking of good people," Kobayashi said. "I'm meeting with Tsukino Kenji shortly. I think he's going to accept our offer."
        "Uhm... That's wonderful," Mamoru said.
        "You seem concerned," Kobayashi observed. "It there something I need to be aware of?"
        "Hmm? Oh, no. Nothing like that," Mamoru said. "It's just that I do know his daughter..., and I wouldn't want anyone to start saying he got the job because of a special connection."
        "I understand," Kobayashi said. "But you've never made any of the employment decisions."
        "And I can't until I turn twenty, even if I wanted to," Mamoru completed. "But not everyone may believe that I stay 'hands off'. I just wouldn't want him trying to take the reins of the news magazine with people thinking he got it because of a connection."
        Kobayashi nodded. "I'll take care of that. Assuming he accepts and all the details are finalized, I'll make sure the memo makes clear this was my choice and that of the board."
        "Thank you," Mamoru said. "I think that's best."
        Kobayashi thought for a moment. "Say... Tsukino-san's daughter wouldn't happen to be the one...?"
        Mamoru held up his hand. "My friend, you are perilously close to forcing me to lie to you, which I would much prefer not to do."
        Kobayashi nodded. "Alright, Mamoru-san. As you wish."

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

        Later that night, Usagi lay in bed. Unable to get comfortable, she could not manage to fall asleep. She knew exactly what the problem was. She wanted to be in bed with Mamoru, her naked body cuddled closely to his. Already she had tried dispensing with her pajamas, and took a long body pillow to bed with her. Neither had offered any real help. She closed her eyes again and desperately tried to will herself to fall asleep. She knew she couldn't spend every night with Mamoru, no matter how much she wanted to. With a groan, she rolled over once more.
        "Usagi!" Luna protested, having been thrown off the bed yet again. "Will you please settle down? We both need our sleep."
        "I've been trying, Luna," Usagi said, still tossing and turning. "But I just can't seem to get comfortable."
        "Well, then I'm going to sleep on the floor," Luna said, stretching, and then climbing onto one of the floor pillows beside Usagi's desk. "Here I won't have to worry about being thrown off like I'm caught in an earthquake."
        "Big help you are," Usagi muttered, rolling onto her other side.
        She lay there, trying to clear her mind, but as her thoughts continually returned to Mamoru, she realized that sleep was no closer than before. Rolling onto her back, she lay there for a moment, then sighed and sat up.
        "Now what are you doing?" Luna asked, as Usagi slipped out of bed.
        Usagi didn't answer, but quickly and quietly began getting dressed in her school uniform.
        "Usagi! What do you think you're doing?" Luna demanded.
        "Luna, shhh!" Usagi replied, keeping her voice low.
        Now dressed, Usagi grabbed her notepad and hurriedly scribbled a note. 'Mom and Daddy, I've left early. Ami and Makoto, the new girl I told you about, wanted an extra study session, and decided to hold it this morning before classes started. They both insisted that I come too. Rei agreed to let us meet at the Temple, where we wouldn't disturb anyone. Sorry I didn't tell you about it last night. I just forgot. See you after school. Love, Usagi.'
        "Luna, I need you to place this on the dining room table just before Mom goes down to start breakfast," Usagi said.
        "And just where are you going?" Luna asked, jumping up on the desk and glancing at the note. "I presume you won't be at Rei's."
        "I'm going someplace where I can get a good night's sleep," Usagi said. "And where I won't be disturbing you. Good night, Luna."
        Before Luna could reply, Usagi slipped out into the hall and crept downstairs.

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

        Carrying her briefcase, Usagi reached Mamoru's building, using the key he had given her to get in through the main door. The clock indicated it was just after midnight. She made her way to the elevator and pressed the button for Mamoru's floor. Reaching his door, she quietly slipped her key into the lock and stepped inside. The lights were off. She put her briefcase down and slipped off her shoes. Moving into the darkened living room, she pulled off her blouse, then slipped off her skirt, draping them both over the back of a chair. She unfastened her bra, setting it on top of her blouse, then removed her panties, and lastly slipped off her socks. Now completely naked, she took her hair down and made her way back to his bedroom.
        "Mamo-chan," she called softly, as she stepped into the bedroom.
        He stirred, his eyes opening to see her naked form moving closer. "Usako?"
        He slid over as she slipped into bed and snuggled next to him.
        "This feels soooo much better," she sighed happily. "I just couldn't get to sleep without you beside me, Mamo-chan."
        He kissed her softly. "Well, I certainly love having you here, my love, but what about your parents?"
        "I left them a note, which they'll find in the morning. They'll think I got up early to go to the Temple," she said.
        "I'm not sure I like you lying to them," he said. "But I'm always glad to have you sleeping next to me."
        "This is right where I belong," she sighed, placing her head on his chest and closing her eyes. "In the arms of the man I love."
        "I definitely agree with that, my love," he said softly, running a hand gently over her back as he felt her settling to sleep.

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

        As Mamoru slept, he experienced another dream of the princess. Like the earlier dreams, she stood at a distance, and he could not make out her face, but her long, flowing blond hair was clearly drawn into two round buns, one on each side of her head, from which hung a long pig-tail. At the same time, he saw a brightly glowing crescent moon on her forehead.
        "Help me, Tuxedo Kamen! Help me!" she cried. "You must find the ginzuishou! Do not let it fall into the hands of evil!"
        "Wait!" he called. "Please come closer! Why can't I see your face?"
        She shook her head. "You cannot find me this way. Only in the waking..." Her voice faded as she disappeared from sight.

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

        Mamoru awoke, but immediately felt a relaxation spreading through him as he felt Usagi's body intertwined with his own and sensed her presence through their link.
        She stirred. "Are you alright?" she asked softly and sleepily. "Were you having a dream?"
        "Yes," he replied, his own voice barely a whisper. "But I have you here."
        "Uh-hunh," she agreed.
        She turned to look up into his face, and he suddenly realized her crescent moon was shining brightly on her forehead, making her look exactly like the princess.
        "What is it, Mamo-chan?" she asked.
        "I dreamed of the princess," he said softly. "But I've never been able to see her face, just blond hair drawn up in odangos, and a brightly glowing crescent moon on her forehead."
        "You mean... the princess looks like me?"
        He nodded. "It seems that way."
        A sudden shiver swept through her, and she again noticed a small silver-white form out of the corner of her eye. She turned to look, but found nothing there.
        "I thought I saw something," she said. "It was small and silver, but when I turned to look, it wasn't there."
        He turned her face back to him and kissed her lips. "We're the only ones here, my love."
        She nodded and kissed him in return. "I love you so much, Mamo-chan."
        "And I love you... my beautiful princess," he said softly, running a hand over her back.
        She sighed happily, resting her head on his chest again. As she lay there, she let her mind open to him, taking comfort in his loving presence.
        He felt her mind opening, and did the same, allowing their thoughts to drift together as they fell asleep.

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

        Asleep, they shared a dream, finding themselves together in a huge, very ornate ballroom. Usagi was attired in the gold-trimmed silver-white gown of the princess, with the crescent moon glowing brightly on her forehead. Mamoru was dressed in a tuxedo very similar to that which he wore as Tuxedo Kamen, but with a medal hanging below his tie and a royal crest pinned to one lapel.
        He held her in his arms, and they danced together happily. The room was crowded with party-goers, but the two young lovers were only aware of each other. He leaned down and kissed her, enjoying the feel of her warm body in his arms.
        "Would you like to slip away, my darling, and enjoy some time alone?" she asked, a glint in her eye and a happy grin on her face.
        He smiled down at her. "I would love to, my princess."
        They left the ballroom, and quickly found themselves running through a thick forest, laughing happily. He caught her in his arms and kissed her deeply. She pressed her body against his. His hands ran over the back of her dress, unfastening the clasps and beginning to slide her dress down. She smiled at him as energy rippled over her, sweeping away her gown and leaving her naked.
        "Oh, Serenity," he sighed, feeling his manhood hardening as he took in the incredible sight of her pure naked beauty.
        He caused his tuxedo to vanish, standing there naked with her, and drawing her into his strong embrace. She kissed him and rubbed herself across his swollen member. She then giggled excitedly, turning and running through the trees. He raced after her, admiring the movements of her naked form as he pursued her.
        "Serenity!" he called.
        She glanced back, still giggling. "Come and catch me, Endymion!"
        He grinned, then coiled and jumped, vaulting into a small clearing ahead of her. As he turned to look, he found no sight of her. He could sense her presence nearby. Moving behind a tree, he stood absolutely still, slowing his breathing to a minimum, and opened all his senses. In moments, he heard a very faint noise, and jumped forward.
        She hid behind a large tree, stepping out behind him, when he suddenly spun around and seized her in his arms, pressing his lips to hers fiercely. She tensed with surprise at first, then melted into his arms, knowing she was just where she wanted to be, in the arms of the man she loved to the depths of her soul.
        "You've caught me, my prince," she sighed. "And now what do you intend to do?"
        He smiled and kissed her again, then reached up and pulled a handful of blossoms off the tree above them, placing them in her hair as he unbound her two buns. Her hair cascaded down over her back. He lowered them both to the ground and kissed her passionately.
        "What would you like me to do, my love?" he asked softly.
        She smiled at him and pulled him closer. "I think you know what I want," she said, her voice full of passion. "And in addition to being soooo much fun, it is our way of fulfilling mother's prophecy."
        He nodded as he lowered himself over his lover's young body. "When Earth and Moon are made one by love..."
        "Only then shall the coming darkness be defeated," she completed.
        They kissed once more, then he plunged himself into her, filling her up with his manhood.
        "Oh, yes," she groaned in pure delight. "I just love how that feels."
        "So do I," he sighed, reveling in the feel of being held snugly in her warm, moist, loving embrace.

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

        Mamoru and Usagi awoke together. She looked up into his face, her crescent moon still glowing. With their minds still so deeply linked, they hardly needed any words as they held each other close. Slowly, the link faded to more normal levels. As it faded, they were still filled with a lingering arousal from the dream's intensity.
        "Such an incredible dream," she sighed.
        He nodded. "Very intense."
        "But what does it mean?" she asked. "In the dream I was the princess and you were the prince the princess was in love with. What does that mean?"
        "I'm not sure," he said. "Maybe it's trying to tell us something about who we are, maybe bringing up memories of a past life... But it could also just be our subconsciouses working together to create a really intense dream."
        "A very romantic setting," she said, considering. "But what about that prophecy thing? How does that fit in?"
        "I don't know," he said. "I've never heard anything remotely similar, and I take it you and the other Senshi haven't heard anything like it."
        "No, we haven't," she confirmed.
        "Then I guess we still have quite a puzzle here, my love," he said.
        She nodded, then lay her head back on his chest. Through the window, she could see the light of dawn spreading across the sky, while within herself she felt a powerful arousal remaining from their shared dream. Her mind opened to his again, and she felt the same from him. She slid a hand down and took hold of his hard, erect penis, stroking it slowly and lovingly.
        "Usako," he groaned.
        "Mamo-chan," she sighed. "I think we need to make ourselves one again."
        "Oh, yes," he whispered, feeling his own arousal growing still stronger. "I always love that idea."
        With a grin, she swung herself astride him and positioned herself over his swollen member, rubbing his shaft against her nether lips. She groaned with delight as she stroked herself along his length. Her next motion carried her forward until his tip slipped into her. She held still as she felt him just inside her, and placed her hands on his chest. Lifting herself up, she felt his shaft moving with her. She rubbed herself up and down on his tip, then plunged herself down, gasping in raw ecstasy as she impaled herself on his bulging manhood, taking his warm mass deep inside her.
        "Usako," he gasped, consumed with the exquisite pleasure of again being conjoined with this young woman he loved so much.
        She began to move slowly and steadily on his erect shaft, feeling his member stroking past her inner muscles and flooding her with intense pleasure. As she looked down at him, swept away with the full power of their love, his hands slid up over her abdomen and took hold of her breasts.
        He pushed up through his hips to meet her next thrust. Their link was growing still deeper as they moved as one, bonded together by their love. As he looked up at her, his fingers caressed her breasts and stroked her nipples. She gasped and sighed as she moved above him, flooding them both with intense pleasure.
        "Oh, Mamo-chan," she gasped.
        "Usako," he whispered.
        She felt him thrust up as she pushed herself down on him, and tightened her inner muscles around his beautiful, throbbing mass within her. This was a sensation she knew she could never get tired of, and they fit together so perfectly, crafted by the fates exclusively for each other.
        He smiled up at her, sensing her thoughts about how well they fit together, and agreeing with her completely. With absolute certainty, he knew they were meant to be conjoined this way, and were meant to be together forever. As his smile grew still brighter, he leaned up and pressed his lips to one of her nipples, suckling it fiercely.
        "Oh, yes!" she gasped, being steadily swept away by their driving motions and the irresistible tide of passion rising within her.
        She rolled her head back, gasping wordlessly as their continued motions were driving her crazy with passionate need. Again and again she plunged herself down on him, her entire body shaking with powerful tremors. As she thrust down on him once more, she soared to orgasm, crying out in purest ecstasy.
        He groaned as her inner muscles clamped down tightly in climax. In only a moment, she was moving again, thrusting up and down on his shaft, taking him deep inside her where he knew they both desperately wanted it. He placed one hand on her bottom, squeezing his fingers into her flesh, while he resumed suckling her nipple, enjoying the feel of her aroused nipple on his lips and his tongue.
        She gasped with joy, feeling his pleasure and her own through their link, even as their love swelled powerfully together. Her awareness was reduced to just the two of them, joined together so exquisitely as one by his member deep within her and their link. She clung to him, reveling in the incredible intimacy between them as their passion continue blaze with intense heat.
        He pressed her nipple in his lips once more, then lay back on the bed. As she again pushed herself down over him, he thrust up hard through his hips, bringing groans from both of them as his penis throbbed and quivered within her snug embrace.
        "Oh, gods!... Oh, yes!" she gasped.
        She felt the spasms building within him, both through his body and through their link. As she plunged down on him, his member swelled, taking her breath away as the tightly clamping inner muscles of her channel were spread still wider. Her next motion sent intense waves of pleasure sweeping through her, carrying her away to a massive climax, even as his shaft swelled and extended still deeper inside her, throbbing wildly, before flooding her womanhood with powerful streams of his warm seed.
        "MAMO-CHAAANNNN!!" she cried.
        "Usako!" he groaned, trembling beneath her as his fading spasm continued to pour himself into her.
        She sat there, precariously balanced as her spasm faded and her muscles began to go limp. Deep inside, she luxuriated in the feel of his spreading warmth. Finally, she lay down over him, her hair spreading out over them like a golden cape. Her head rested along his shoulder and his arms enfolded her. She sighed happily, as did he, both expressing their feelings through their link, sharing a love beyond words.
        As they lay together, still intimately connected and their link still incredibly deep, they drifted back to sleep.

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

        They were awakened by his alarm. Each felt the other's confusion as the beeping of the alarm intruded on their sleep. She carefully eased herself off of him, then reached over to silence the alarm. With the return of silence, she snuggled against him once more.
        He could sense her desire to just remain cuddled with him in bed as she closed her eyes and placed her head on his chest again. A part of him was only too happy to go along with that idea. Very slowly and softly, he ran a hand along her arm as he let their link fade once more.
        "Usako," he whispered.
        "Hmmm?"
        "We need to get up, my love," he said softly. "We both have classes today."
        "Just a few more minutes," she mumbled. "I want to remain here with you."
        "I'd love that too, more than anything. But we can't."
        She sighed as she began to stir, rolling back off of him and stretching her arms and legs. "Alright," she said quietly.
        She stood up and walked into the bathroom. He took his turn when she was done. He then slipped on a pair of boxers while she put on one of his shirts, and they went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. As they sat down to eat, he leaned over and kissed her softly.
        "I just love waking up in your arms, Mamo-chan," she said.
        "I love it too, Usako," he said, smiling at her, his eyes sparkling with love.
        "I just wish it could be this way all the time, because after last night's experience, I don't think I can fall asleep if I'm not snuggled next to you," she said softly.
        He smiled at her lovingly. "I certainly love having you with me, but I'm afraid we can't be together always just yet, my love. And you'll do fine. I know you will."
        Her eyes showed she was not entirely convinced. He leaned over and kissed her again, bringing a smile to her face.
        A few minutes later, they finished eating, and took their plates back into the kitchen.
        He took her in his arms and kissed her. "Usako, I love you so much," he sighed.
        "I love you, Mamo-chan."
        "Let's take a bath together, my love. And then we'll get dressed, and I'll drop you at school."
        "Alright," she agreed, kissing him in return.

< To be continued >

* * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE: For those who've only seen the North American version, I am using the correct name for 'Crane Machine' Joe; Hitoshi Doi's site gives it as 'crane arashi no Joe'. 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.

-07.19.2001
 

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