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 17 - Hot Springs <

        Sitting together, Mamoru and Usagi finished the last bits of their breakfast. A mist hung over the lake in the chill of early morning, gradually thinning as the sun rose. They stood up, each wearing a bathrobe, and walked out onto the deck, looking out across the lake. He stood behind her, slipping his arms around her.
        "It's a very beautiful sight," she said. "Nothing like morning in the city."
        "Yes," he agreed. "I'd forgotten just what it was like."
        She leaned her head back, resting it against his chest.
        "But you're not giving up on living in the city, are you?" he asked with a soft chuckle.
        "Oh, no," she insisted, giggling. "This is nice for a visit, but I like living in the city, with the arcade and all the stores nearby."
        "All the necessities of life," he suggested.
        "Most definitely," she agreed, still giggling.
        He leaned down and kissed the side of her neck. "It's still a bit chilly out here. Maybe we should head back in."
        She nodded in agreement. "And maybe a certain very handsome, very sexy gentleman will be willing to help warm me back up."
        "But of course, my beautiful princess," he said, as they stepped back inside. "I am always happy to help wherever possible."
        She turned and slid her arms around his neck, smiling up at him happily. He leaned down and their lips came together for a long, deep, lingering kiss.
        "Oh, Mamo-chan," she sighed.
        "I love you, Usako," he whispered. "More than anything."
        "And I love you," she said, her voice low and choked with emotion. "I love you so much, I can't bear the thought of not being with you."
        "I know just what you mean," he said, kissing her again. "But now, I think I need to see to warming up a certain gorgeous young woman."
        "That sounds nice," she said with a grin.
        They walked upstairs to the bathroom, where the large traditional tub was already full of warm water.
        "Were you planning this when you filled the tub?" she asked.
        "No. I just thought we might want to share a bath after we ate," he said, untying her robe and slipping it off.
        "You know I love sharing a bath with you, Mamo-chan." She slid his robe off of him.
        As they stood together naked, she ran her hand along the length of his rapidly hardening member.
        "Usako, I thought I was supposed to be warming you up," he said.
        "Oh. I don't know," she said. "I'm starting to feel nice and warm inside."
        She removed her hand and he stepped into the tub, lowering himself into the water. She stepped in after him. He took her in his hands as she lowered herself over him. Smiling happily, she kissed him.
        The water warmed her, and she loved the feel of his body beneath her. She kissed him again, while rubbing herself over his manhood, making her insides still hotter and wetter.
        He groaned softly as she rubbed over him, sliding his hands over her back and down to her bottom, pressing his fingers into her soft flesh. Her crescent moon was glowing softly on her forehead, and he could feel energy flowing through them both.
        "Oh, Mamo-chan," she sighed. "You seem to have a problem... a rather large problem."
        "I can't imagine why," he said softly. "Perhaps you would care to help?"
        "I might be able to," she said with a grin. Sliding down, she stroked his member with her hand. "Does this help?"
        A soft groan was his only response as waves of pleasure swept through him.
        Her grin became larger as her hand cradled his sac, and her fingers stroked the sensitive spot behind the sac, drawing a gasp from him. "Is that any better?"
        He stiffened as she again caressed him there. Reaching up, he took hold of her breasts, gently squeezing them in his fingers.
        She sighed with delight, and moved back up over him, now rubbing the full length of his hard shaft along her nether lips. "How about this?" she asked softly.
        "Usako," he groaned.
        His insides were on fire as she slid herself over him with firm, determined strokes. As he continued to caress her breasts, running his fingers over her aroused, swollen nipples, he desperately yearned to have his shaft buried within her, bringing them both to beautiful release.
        She leaned down and kissed him, feeling her self-control fading fast. Sitting back up, she rubbed across his member again, ablaze with passion and longing to take him inside her. His hands slid down to rest on her hips, while opening their link to let her feel the power of his love and desire. She groaned softly, and slid up a little further, feeling his tip begin to spread open her nether lips. Shifting position slightly, she felt his tip caressing the insides of her lips.
        A soft tremor of passion ran through him as she held herself there. Her subtle motions were sending bursts of pleasure sweeping through him as her lips rubbed over his tip.
        She took a breath, and adjusted her position again. With a firm, steady motion, she pushed herself down, gasping with delight as she impaled herself on his manhood, feeling its warm, bulging mass spreading her wide as it plunged deep inside her.
        "Usako," he sighed, reveling again in the incredible feel of being held deep in her warm, moist, loving embrace.
        "Oh, Mamo-chan," she whispered, lowering herself over him to kiss him softly and repeatedly, while simply holding his shaft within her.
        He slid one hand over her back and pressed the other into her bottom as they kissed, letting his tongue brush across her lips. Slowly, she began to move, stroking the length of his member with her tightly grasping inner muscles.
        She sighed with purest joy, struggling to maintain a very slow, lingering pace. His hips pushed up to meet her next motion, and she gasped as he sank still deeper. She kissed him once more, then sat up and pushed herself straight down on his bulging shaft, thrilling to the exquisite feel of holding him there.
        He grinned up at her. "Are you feeling warm now, my love?" he asked breathlessly.
        "Oh, yes," she sighed, a blissful smile on her face. "And what about... your problem?"
        "It's just fine," he replied. "Just fine."
        He caressed her breast with one hand as she resumed her slow motions up and down on his throbbing member. His passion blazed still hotter as they moved together.
        She felt his passion through their link, and her own passion swelled with his. As her longing increased, her motions grew increasingly frantic. Water splashed around them in the tub. She raised herself up on his shaft, then thrust down hard.
        "Oh, yes," she cried, pumping away still faster above him.
        "Usako," he sighed.
        He grasped her hips and pushed up in response to her motions. Her inner muscles gripped him firmly, rubbing over his full length as it shifted within her.
        "Mamo-chan!... Oh, yes!... Oh!... Oh!" she gasped, as her driving motion carried her still higher.
        He thrust up into her still harder, oblivious to the water splashing over the side of the tub. She was clearly on the brink as she continued her rapid pumping motions. As they moved, a powerful spasm built within him.
        She plunged down on his shaft again, feeling it swelling within her. Gasping with joy as she recognized this, she thrust again, and her entire body locked up in the intense, overwhelming power of orgasm. Just as she cried out wordlessly in pure, uncontained ecstasy, he reached his own climax, pouring himself into her in a powerful surge.
        He lay back in the tub, flushed with exquisite happiness in the wake of again sharing such beautiful passion and intimacy with this young woman he loved so much. As she relaxed, her drew her down onto his chest, enfolding her in his arms.
        "Usako," he sighed. "You are soooo beautiful, my love."
        "You are the most wonderful man, Mamo-chan," she whispered.
        "And all yours," he added, kissing her.
        "That's the part I like the most," she said. "I love knowing that we're going to be together forever."
        "That is a very nice thought," he agreed. "You are everything to me, Usako, and I just couldn't bear not to be with you."
        "I couldn't live without you either," she said quietly, kissing him again.

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

        It was early afternoon as Mamoru and Usagi emerged from a changing room at the spa. Each was clad only in a towel, and she had her hair up. They walked along the path to one of the hot spring pools.
        She crinkled her nose. "It smells like rotten eggs."
        "That's the sulphur in the water," he said. "But you get used to it pretty quickly." He stepped down into the pool, then offered his hand to help her.
        She accepted his hand, and stepped into the pool. Lowering herself into the water, she felt its warmth surrounding her. "Oh, Mamo-chan! This is just heavenly," she sighed.
        He nodded as he sat down next to her. "It certainly is," he said, looking at her. "And the water's nice, too."
        "You're terrible," she giggled.
        He slipped his arm behind her shoulders, holding her. "But I love you, Usako, more than anything."
        She smiled at him. "And I love you, Mamo-chan."
        They sat together quietly, enjoying the warmth of the hot spring. After several minutes, he started massaging her shoulders.
        "That feels nice," she said.
        "I'm glad you like it." He continued working his hands over her shoulders, feeling her growing increasingly relaxed.
        As he stopped massaging her, she leaned back against him, sighing in pure contentment.
        The trees rustled and swayed around them as the breeze picked up. They sat lower in the water to reduce their exposure to the cool wind.
        "It's getting cold," she said.
        He nodded. "We should probably think about heading back and getting dressed."
        The breeze died down a bit, and they climbed out of the pool, hurrying back up the path, dripping wet. Entering the changing room, they tossed their towels aside and stepped into the shower, quickly rinsing themselves off.
        She kissed him. "That was very nice. I hope we can do that again, if the weather is decent."
        He nodded. "Yes. I would like that very much."
        They turned off the shower and dried themselves. Once they had dressed, they stepped back outside and he led her along another path.
        "Where are we going?" she asked.
        "I was thinking of heading down to the lake," he said. "If you don't mind."
        She zipped up her jacket. "Sounds fine to me."
        They followed the path through the woods and down the hill, emerging along the shore of the lake, where they found a statue of a man and a woman.
        "What's this?" she asked.
        "They're part of an old legend," he explained. "As I remember it, these two were lovers, but another woman was insanely jealous of their love, and somehow turned into a monster. In the end, the monster was trapped at the bottom of the lake, and the lovers became guardian spirits."
        "That's so romantic," she sighed.
        He slipped his arms around her, leaning down to kiss her. She sighed happily.
        "You make me so happy, Mamo-chan," she whispered.
        "As happy as you make me, I hope," he replied.
        She turned around, slipping her arms about his neck, and kissed him deeply.
        They stood there for several minutes, until the wind again picked up, and the clouds overhead grew darker.
        "I think we need to get back to the car," he said.
        She nodded her agreement, and they walked back into the trees and along the path.
        "I've really enjoyed this," she said, as they walked.
        "So have I, my love."
        Just then, a rumbling noise was heard, coming from the lake.
        "Was that thunder?" she asked, tensing.
        "I'm not sure," he said, looking around.
        The noise was heard again, growing louder. A shadow covered them, and they looked up to see a huge monster floating above them.
        "Give him back!" the monster screamed, lunging forward.
        Mamoru grabbed Usagi in his arms and dove into the trees, narrowly avoiding the monster's grasp.
        "Wh... what was that?!" Usagi asked, her voice trembling.
        "I would have to guess it's the monster from the lake," he said. "Apparently it's real."
        "Why did it come after me?"
        "I don't know," he said, transforming into Tuxedo Kamen. "But we need to stop it before it hurts someone."
        She nodded, and raised her hand. "Moon prism power, make up!" she cried. Her brooch glowed, and a faint, pulsating field of energy surrounded her body, slowly growing brighter. She brought her hand down as several seconds elapsed, a feeling of anxiety swelling in her stomach. The energy field grew still brighter as they heard the monster's angry roar, again growing closer. Finally, the field pulsed brightly and energy swirled around her, melting away her clothes before covering her in the fuku of Sailor Moon.
        He pulled her farther back into the trees as the monster smashed through several, shattering thick trunks.
        "Oh, gods!" she gasped. "It happened again, and this one took even longer than the last time! And today, I haven't felt tired, or ill, or anything."
        The monster roared again, hurtling toward them. Tuxedo Kamen hurled a rose at the monster, which screamed in pain.
        As the monster recoiled, Sailor Moon reached for her tiara. "Moon tiara action!" she cried, hurling the tiara at the monster. The glowing disk struck the monster, which vanished in a sudden flash of light. "Got it!" Sailor Moon cheered, putting her tiara back on.
        A cloud of energy began to form, taking the monster's shape.
        "Look out!" Tuxedo Kamen called, pulling Sailor Moon back. He then hurled another rose at the reformed monster.
        Sailor Moon produced her moon stick, and the ginzuishou appeared, floating just above her brooch and surrounding her body in its faintly pink-tinged silver-white glow. She swung the moon stick in a large circle, then leveled it at the charging monster, unleashing powerful waves of energy. The monster screamed, then slowly transformed into the apparition of a young woman. The woman looked down at them in surprise, before a smile slowly formed on her face.
        "Thank you," the woman called, before floating up into the sky and fading from sight.
        Tuxedo Kamen stepped up behind Sailor Moon, placing his hand on her shoulder. "I'm very proud of you, my love."
        She smiled up at him. "The legend was true... and we freed her," she said softly.
        "You did it," he said, leaning down and kissing her cheek. He produced a rose in his hand and presented it to her.
        "Oh, Mamo-chan," she sighed, taking the rose in her hand and breathing in its soft fragrance.
        The wind rustled the trees again, and he looked up to see the sky growing still darker.
        "We should head back to the house," he said softly.
        She nodded, and he transformed back to normal. Her hand brushed across her brooch, and she too reverted to normal. Standing there, she felt utterly exhausted. He quickly took her in his arms.
        "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
        "I'm just exhausted," she said, shaking her head. "I don't understand it. Prior to that night at the Cherry Blossom Club, I've never felt anywhere near this drained after going into action as Sailor Moon."
        "Can you handle the walk back to the car?" he asked.
        "I'll manage," she said.
        She took hold of his arm and they walked slowly back up the path. A light rain began to fall as they reached the parking lot. He opened the car door for her and she slipped into the seat. Closing her door, he then walked around to his side, sitting behind the wheel.
        He drove the car around the end of the lake, and soon turned down the road leading to the house. The car pulled up in front of the house. He switched off the engine, and they hurried inside.
        Closing the door behind them, he took her in his arms and kissed her.
        "How are you doing, my love?" he asked.
        "Tired... and a little cold," she replied, as she pulled off her shoes.
        "Why don't you go upstairs and change into a warm robe or something," he suggested. "While you're changing, I'll start a fire."
        "Alright," she agreed.
        As she went upstairs, he removed his shoes and his jacket, then walked into the living room and switched on several lights. He began preparing the fireplace, soon having a nice fire going. He then went into the kitchen to begin making some tea.
        She came back downstairs, wearing a bathrobe. Entering the living room, she sat down beside him in front of the fire.
        He slid his arm around her. "Feeling any better?" he asked.
        "A little," she answered with a nod.
        "I have some tea brewing," he said. "It should be ready in a few minutes."
        "That would be nice," she said.
        He kissed her cheek softly. "I love you, Usako... I like telling you that."
        She smiled at him. "And I never tire of hearing it, Mamo-chan," she said. "I love you."
        Holding her in his arms, he kissed her again as they sat there in front of the fire. After several minutes, he rose to his feet.
        "I'll be right back with the tea," he said.
        "Alright," she acknowledged.
        In the kitchen, he set the small teapot on a tray with two cups, and carried the tray back to her.
        "Here it is, my love," he said, setting the tray down. He then poured her a cup and handed it to her.
        "Thank you, Mamo-chan," she said, accepting the cup and taking a sip. "Oh, that's nice," she sighed, enjoying the warmth of the tea.
        "I'm going to change," he said. "I'll be back down in a few minutes."
        "I will miss you," she said with a soft giggle.
        He went up to their room, and began removing his clothes. As he put on his robe, he noticed her brooch sitting on her night table. An idea formed in his mind, and he picked up the brooch, carrying it back downstairs with him. He sat down beside her.
        "Why did you bring that?" she asked, indicating the brooch.
        "I had a thought about your transformation," he said. "And if you're willing, I thought we might try it out."
        "What do you have in mind?" she asked.
        "I'd like you to try transforming into Sailor Moon, please."
        "Right now?" she asked. "I'm not even sure if I can manage it yet."
        "If you can't, that's something you need to know," he pointed out.
        She thought for a moment. "Alright," she finally agreed. She took the brooch in her hand, stood up, and held the brooch over her head. "Moon prism power, make up!"
        The brooch glowed and a field of softly pulsing energy surrounded her. After a few seconds, the field faded away, as did the brooch's glow.
        "It didn't work," she said, a look of grave disappointment on her face.
        "How do you feel?" he asked.
        "Drained," she said. "More so than before."
        He nodded with understanding. "You'd said before it was like trying to start a car with a weak battery. It looks like your transformation is drawing heavily on your body's energy. That would explain why you're so tired, and why you can't transform twice in a short period of time."
        "But it never did that before," she said.
        "I know. And I don't know what could be causing this," he said. "But now, I'd like you to try making the ginzuishou appear and change into your princess form."
        She looked at him in surprise. "But the princess seems to be more powerful than Sailor Moon," she objected.
        "That's probably true, but I suspect the ginzuishou is doing most of the work in that case," he said.
        "Alright," she agreed, first setting her brooch down.
        She closed her eyes and concentrated. The ginzuishou appeared, floating just above her chest and surrounding her in its glow, while her crescent moon shone brightly on her forehead. Her robe melted away and the crystal's glow grew more intense, before fading to reveal her in the form and silver-gold gown of Princess Serenity.
        "It worked," she exclaimed softly.
        "How do you feel now?"
        "Still a little tired, but nowhere near as tired as a few moments ago," she said. "It's like the crystal has recharged me."
        "That's good."
        "Should I try transforming into Sailor Moon now?" she asked.
        He shook his head. "No, I don't think so. We still don't know what's causing this, and it appears that your body is finding that transformation too draining," he said. "But at least we know you can still assume your princess form."
        "And that means I can still help stop the Dark Kingdom," she added.
        "That's right," he agreed.
        "But I'll have to let the others know if I have to stop being Sailor Moon for any length of time," she said, sitting down beside him. "And I have to find out what's causing this."
        "Can you sense anything now that you're in your princess form?"
        She sat there quietly for a moment, concentrating. "No, I can't," she said. "Everything feels the same."
        He nodded, a trace of concern still evident in his face.
        "Maybe when we get back I'll ask Ami if she can find anything with her scanner," she said quietly. "She might be able to figure this out."
        As they sat together, the ginzuishou faded away. He leaned over and kissed her.
        "I love you, my beautiful princess," he whispered.
        "I love you," she sighed.
        She sipped more of her tea, then lay back on the rug. He lay down beside her. She closed her eyes and energy shimmered faintly over her, melting away her gown and replacing it with her bathrobe. As she took a slow breath, she felt the energy of the princess fading away and her exhaustion returning.
        "Are you OK?" he asked softly, seeing it happen.
        "Yes," she answered, her voice barely a whisper. "The boost I got from the crystal is just wearing off, I'm afraid."
        He kissed her and ran his hand gently along her cheek. "Well, we'll just spend a quiet afternoon and evening here," he said. "You just rest, my love."
        She turned to look at him and smiled. "Oh, Mamo-chan," she sighed. "I love you so much."
        "I love you," he said. "And I'll take care of you while you're not feeling well, Usako. That's part of my job."
        "You're so sweet, my prince."
        He nodded, then kissed her again. "And you're my beautiful princess, whom I want to spend the rest of my life with."
        He reached for a pillow and put it under her head, then picked up a blanket and spread it over her.
        "Thank you," she said.
        Her eyes drifted closed once more, and he lay next to her, taking in her beauty as she lay there. His concern for her still swelled within him, hating the thought of her not feeling well, and wanting to do everything he could to make her feel better. For now, he would just stay close to her, watching over this beautiful young woman as she lay there.

< To be continued >

* * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE: 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.

-09.21.2001