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 32 - Saturday <
Rei stepped outside the building of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Junior High School. It was a pleasant Saturday, and Tokyo was again enjoying warm weather in the wake of the recent storm. Things had been quiet over the last several days, and Rei was looking forward to a peaceful weekend.
As she walked through the gate, Rei happened to glance over at the parking lot, sensing a very familiar presence. At once, she spotted Atana sitting in his car. He stepped out and waved to her. Waving in return, she turned and walked toward him. Since meeting him, she had found that she seemed to have a particular awareness for him. Given her own psychic abilities, she knew things like this could happen, but it was quite unusual given how briefly she had known him.
"Atana-san," she called, as she approached his car. "What brings you here?"
"Well, I happened to be in the area, and I thought I would offer you a ride," he said. "If you don't mind, that is."
"Of course not," she said.
He smiled and opened the door for her.
"You're sure it's not a problem for you?" she asked.
"Not at all," he said. "Kara is at her pre-school, and I have a few hours before I need to pick her up." He closed the door and walked around to the other side of the car, climbing in.
"So, you did find a school for her," Rei said.
He nodded as he started the engine. "Yes. There's a small private school that serves children of English-speaking diplomats and of officers in the American military."
"I hadn't even thought of that," she said. "But that sounds great for her."
The fact that Kara didn't speak Japanese had limited Atana's choices somewhat. "She seems to like it," he said. "And I'm pleased with their program... But now, would you like some lunch?"
She glanced over at him as he pulled the car out of the lot. "That would be great," she said with a smile.
"Wonderful," he said. "I was thinking of doing take-out and having lunch in the park. I doubt we're going to have too many more nice days like this to enjoy for a while."
She nodded. "I'd like that."
This was the closest thing to a date she'd ever been on, and the thought that she was with him made her quite happy. She had noticed that he was still a bit hesitant around her, suspecting he was concerned about the difference in their ages. So far, however, they really hadn't done anything together, just the two of them. She found herself growing ever more attracted to him as he stirred powerful emotions within her. She looked over at him again and smiled.
He noticed her looking at him. She was incredibly beautiful, and he was experiencing disturbingly powerful feelings for her. This was of particular concern to him since she was still so young. He was now even seeing Rei in his dreams. In the last few years, he had never had such feelings for a woman, and Kara had never opened up to someone like she had with Rei. Yet, this raised another concern for him. In seeing Kara with Rei, he had come to realize that there was indeed something of a resemblance between them. Though he was sure this was merely coincidence, it made him uneasy about the nature of his feelings. Ever since the explosion in his workshop several years ago, his memory of the past had been only fragmentary at best. This left him with a lingering concern that part of his feelings toward Rei were reflections of barely recalled memories of Kara's mother.
Several minutes later, he parked his car near the park, and they walked to a small sushi shop. They selected a platter, then walked into the park, where they found a place to sit beneath a tree and began to eat.
She ate a piece of sushi, leaning back and gazing out over the lake. "It really is a lovely day."
"Yes, it is," he agreed. "It's a nice change after that storm."
She nodded, turning to look at him, and again noticing just how handsome he was.
He saw her looking at him again, and smiled. Once more, he couldn't help but notice her beauty, even as her school uniform only further reminded him of just how young she was. He sighed as his emotions warred within him, and reached for another piece of sushi.
"Are you OK?" she asked.
"I'm fine," he said, shifting position. "You?"
"I'm just fine," she said, leaning back again.
He glanced away as she stretched, deciding it was safer not to look at her fit young legs, and working to suppress his imagination as it supplied images of what he was trying not to notice.
"You're sure you're OK?" she asked.
He glanced back at her, seeing her concern. "Sorry. I guess I'm just feeling a bit like a dirty old man."
She giggled, and a soft flush spread across her cheeks. "Well, you're not old enough for that."
He sighed. "I guess it's relative."
"You mean, fourteen and twenty-three?" she asked.
He looked at her for a moment. "Forgive me for asking, but when is your birthday?"
"Hunh? April 17. Why?"
He nodded. "OK... I guess you're 14 both by your calculation and mine," he said slowly. "But you're still right. The difference between 14 and 23 is a lot more serious than, say, 24 and 33."
She nodded. "Maybe... but I don't think that means that we can't even be together."
"Within limits, no," he conceded.
She took another piece of sushi, then leaned back again and they both fell silent.
"I hope you don't mind me asking," she said, hesitantly. "But... I was wondering... what happened to your wife?"
He gazed off into the distance, feeling a tightness in his chest. Powerful emotions of pain and loss swelled within him. "It sounds strange... but... I really don't know," he said softly.
Rei looked at him in surprise. "I... I don't understand," she said.
"To be honest, neither do I," he said. "I think I told you that I could hardly remember anything about the explosion in my workshop..."
She nodded.
"Well, actually... I have very little memory of anything at all before that," he said. "I really have only vague recollections of her... Mostly I just remember the pain that came with losing her."
She sighed and nodded, feeling some of his pain. "I'm very sorry," she said softly. Suddenly, a cold shiver swept over her as intense feelings of loss and anguish welled up within her. At the same time, she seemed to experience a brief recollection of them being together in the past.
"Are you alright?" he asked, placing his hand gently on her arm.
She took a breath and looked up at him, then nodded. "I'm OK," she said. "I guess I was just... uhm, really affected by... your story."
He nodded, squeezing her arm reassuringly.
"What about Kara?" she asked. "Does she have any memories of her mother?"
He shook his head. "She doesn't appear to... She was only an infant when my workshop blew up."
Rei thought for a moment. "Could your wife have died.... giving birth?" she asked, softly.
He glanced away, considering. "I guess it's possible... but somehow I don't think so."
She saw the distant expression on his face, and still experienced her own inexplicable feelings of loss. "I'm sorry," she said. "I really shouldn't have brought that up."
He squeezed her arm again and shook his head. "It's alright," he said, his voice little more than a whisper.
She placed a hand over his on her arm and smiled. "I'm glad to have met you," she said. "And if there's anything I can do... ah, to help either you or Kara while you're here, please just ask."
"Thank you," he said. "I appreciate that."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Minako and Geoff left the volleyball court.
"That was a great game," he said. "I've never had anyone run my butt off that hard in a simple game of one-on-one."
She grinned happily. "Well, I've really enjoyed it too. Volleyball was something I'd really missed since returning home to Japan."
"Would you like to take a swim?" he asked.
"That sounds great," she said. "I'll shower, then meet you by the pool."
"I'll be looking forward to it," he said with a smile.
His eyes lingered on her briefly as she walked toward the women's locker room. He then turned to take a shower himself. He had come to treasure every meeting he had with her, and found himself having increasingly powerful feelings for her.
They had already planned to have dinner together, and she had dropped a few hints that her parents weren't expecting her home that night. He still had lingering concerns about her youth, but somehow found himself unable to refuse her suggestion that she spend the night with him. Like the previous times, however, he was determined to keep things under control.
In the women's locker room, Minako peeled off her t-shirt and shorts, tossing them in her bag, then removed her bra and panties. Picking up a towel, she walked to the showers and turned on the water. She was now certain that Geoff was her soul-mate from the past. In her dreams, she experienced very happy scenes of them together, and she found herself the happiest and most comfortable when she was with him. She greatly enjoyed every moment she could spend with him. She had very carefully arranged to be free for the entire weekend, and looked forward to being able to stay with him.
Geoff emerged from the men's locker room several minutes later, wearing his swimsuit and with a towel hung around his neck. He walked down the hall and into the pool area. As was usual for a Saturday afternoon, there was little activity. Two faculty members were swimming laps, while at the far end, a student was practicing her diving as an assistant coach spotted for her.
Geoff put his towel down, then sat on the edge of the pool, his legs dangling into the water. Noticing movement out of the corner of his eye, he turned to see Minako entering through the door. Her hair was still wet from her shower, and hung down over her back. For once, she was not wearing her trademark bow. Her suit was a one-piece in pale orange, with a gold stripe down each side, which hugged her body in a very flattering manner. In spite of his best efforts, his body began to respond appreciatively. He immediately regretted not wearing a pair of baggy, more concealing trunks.
She saw him shift position a bit uncomfortably, even as she found herself admiring his small, tight-fitting suit. As she stepped closer, he suddenly lowered himself into the water, but as he did so, she could clearly see the rather prominent bulge in the front of his suit. She giggled softly, but could not deny the warmth she was experiencing deep inside herself.
"Minako, that's a lovely suit," he said, leaning against the side of the pool. "You look great in it."
"Thank you," she said, smiling. "That looks like a nice suit you have on... although you didn't really give me much chance to look at it."
Her soft giggle and the look in her eyes told him she had noticed his predicament. "Oh, ah, well, sorry about that."
She tossed her towel aside and stepped carefully down into the water alongside him. "This feels nice," she sighed.
He nodded in agreement. "Do you want to swim a few laps?"
"Maybe once down and back," she suggested. "We've already had quite a workout."
"OK," he agreed. "And we're not racing."
"Definitely not," she said.
She flexed her arms and legs several times in the water, then nodded. They both pushed off and started swimming for the far end, moving at an easy pace. After they finished the return leg, they leaned against the side of the pool once more.
He took several slow breaths, then glanced over at her. "So, am I correct in assuming you're spending the night at my place?"
She grinned and nodded. "And Sunday... if you don't mind," she said. "I told my parents I was spending the weekend with a friend. They aren't expecting me back until Monday, after school."
"The whole weekend?" he asked.
She nodded. "Is that a problem?"
"No. Of course not," he said. "I guess I'm just a little surprised... but I certainly don't mind."
"OK," she said. "I enjoy being with you, but I don't want to overstay my welcome..."
He looked at her and smiled. "I seriously doubt you could do that, Minako-chan."
She grinned, then hardly thinking about it, suddenly leaned over and planted a very soft kiss on his cheek. He looked at her in surprise.
"Oh... I, uh, I'm not sure... why I just... uhm, why I did that," she stammered. "I... I hope I wasn't out of line."
"Not at all," he said softly. "As long as... you'll allow me to return it."
"Certainly," she said with a grin.
He leaned closer, feeling as if everything was moving with incredible slowness. Suddenly, she turned, and instead of her cheek, he brushed her lips. He vaguely felt her tremble in surprise, even as his heart pounded in his chest. It lasted only a moment, and he drew back. They stood there, looking at each other.
"I, uh, I'm sorry," she gasped. "I... didn't mean to do that."
"It's OK," he said quietly, reassuringly taking hold of her hand. A part of him yearned to kiss her again, but he did not trust himself down that path, not with one of the most beautiful and sexy and desirable girls he had ever met, who was going to be spending the weekend in his apartment, and yet who was still very young.
"Maybe we should go," she suggested.
"That's probably a good idea," he agreed.
They climbed out of the pool and began drying themselves off.
"I'll just get dressed and meet you," she said. "I'll need to wash the chlorine out of my hair, but I can do that back at your place."
"Alright," he said.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Usagi and Mamoru stood together in the shower at his apartment. He kissed her softly as he swept his hands lovingly over his future wife's naked young body.
"Oh, Mamo-chan," she sighed.
He kissed her again, then stepped back to make sure the last of the soap had been rinsed away.
"There you are, Usako, my love."
She smiled happily, running her hands over his strong chest. Looking down, she saw his partially erect manhood, seeming as always to beckon to her. Frequently when she saw him like this, it felt as if a thousand years of pent up sexual desire and denied love were again demanding full release. She sighed, struggling to put those feelings aside, knowing that they didn't have time just then.
"Oh, Mamo-chan," she groaned. "You have no idea what you do to me."
"I think I do, my princess," he said, his voice soft and loving, even as he struggled with a powerful hunger of his own. "Our souls are one, remember?"
She looked up into his eyes and nodded.
"So often when we come together, it feels like we're each starving for the other," he said.
She nodded again. "That's right... Like a thousand years of separation needs to be made up each time we make love."
He kissed her. "But regardless of that, Usako, you are the most beautiful and desirable woman I've ever known... and I thought that even before we knew about our past life together."
She grinned. "And I thought the same thing about you, Mamo-chan."
He ran a hand down over her back and pressed his fingers into the soft flesh of her bottom.
"Mamo-chan," she sighed. "We don't have time for that."
"I know," he said, kissing her again.
He reached down and turned off the water. They stepped out of the tub and began drying themselves off. Soon, she reached for the hair dryer. He picked up a brush and helped her with her hair. She looked at him in the mirror, smiling happily as she enjoyed the feel of being at home with the man she loved to the depths of her soul.
"Do you want help putting your hair back up?" he asked, when she had finished with the dryer.
"No, thanks," she said. "I've been giving it some thought, and I think I'm going to leave it down."
"Really?"
She nodded. "I feel ready for a new look," she said. "It should look more grown up wearing it down, and it will be nice not having the same hairstyle as Sailor Moon... I've heard a few jokes about that at school."
"Whatever you want, my love," he said. "I'm sure you'll look lovely."
She continued to brush her hair as it flowed down behind her, reaching past her knees.
"Do you just want to wear it loose like this?" he asked.
"I don't think so," she said. She picked up a broad white clip. "I need you to gather the outer strands together, and I'll clip them together over the rest."
He did as she instructed. "Like that?" he asked, as she fastened the clip.
She turned, using a handheld mirror with the large bathroom mirror to examine the results. "Hmm. Not quite right," she said.
She spent several more minutes making adjustments.
"That looks better," she finally said.
He kissed her cheek. "Well, I was right, Usako... You do look lovely. The most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on."
She grinned. "And you are the most handsome and sexiest man, Mamo-chan."
He looked at her, standing there, still completely naked. "Do you think you need to look older?" he finally asked.
She nodded. "I want people to see me as your fiancee, not as some young schoolgirl."
"I understand, my love. But as long as you aren't wearing your school uniform, that's what most people already think when we're together."
"I just felt a need for a change," she said, looking up at him. "I really do like it when Naru-chan calls me Chiba-san..."
He nodded. "I like the sound of that too."
"And more and more, I find I want to dress and behave like I already am your wife," she said.
He took her in his arms and kissed her. "I have no problems with that, my love... In fact, few things could make me happier."
"Oh, really?" she asked with a grin.
He nodded. "Off hand I can think of just two things. One I'm holding in my arms, the woman I'm going to marry. And the other you're carrying in your womb, my love."
Her smile grew larger and happier. "You make me so happy, Mamo-chan," she sighed, pressing herself against him.
They soon returned to the bedroom. She slipped on a bra and panties, then pulled on a white sweater and a pair of pink slacks which he had bought for her several weeks earlier.
"You look lovely," he said, as he buttoned his shirt. "You certainly won't make people think you're a schoolgirl dressed like that."
She smiled. "Thank you, Mamo-chan. I'm glad you like it."
He put on his pants, and they walked out to the living room.
She was putting her wallet into a new purse when the doorbell rang.
"That must be your mother," Mamoru said, walking to the door.
He opened the door to find Ikuko standing there.
"Hello, Ikuko-san," he greeted her.
"Hello, Mamoru-san," she said. As he stepped back, she entered his apartment.
"Hi, Mom," Usagi said, moving toward her.
"Usagi!" Ikuko exclaimed softly, taking in her new appearance. "This is... quite a change."
Usagi smiled. "I wanted a different look," she said. "Do you like it?"
"You look very nice," Ikuko said. "Very... grown up."
Usagi grinned happily and nodded. "That was just what I had in mind." She slipped her hand into Mamoru's. "Shall we go, Mamo-chan?"
Mamoru turned to Ikuko. "Are you ready?"
"Yes, thank you."
"OK," Mamoru said.
Mamoru and Usagi slipped on their shoes and joined Ikuko in walking out into the hall. Usagi locked the door behind them, and they headed for the elevator.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mamoru, Usagi and Ikuko walked through the mall. Usagi held Mamoru's hand as they walked.
Ikuko glanced over periodically, observing them. She could readily see the love between them, and that Usagi was effectively an adult when with him. The change in Usagi left Ikuko very impressed.
They soon entered a department store, and walked to the men's wear section. Ikuko looked at sweaters.
"I think your father will like this one, Usagi," Ikuko said, holding up a sweater vest.
"Very nice," Usagi agreed.
Usagi picked up a jacket from a rack and held it up to Mamoru.
"What do you think, Mamo-chan?" Usagi asked.
"It's nice," he said, looking at it closely. Looking up, he caught site of a computer terminal across the department. "Excuse me, Usako. I need to check to see if they have a particular item. I'll be right back."
"OK," she said. "Do you want me to pick out anything special?"
He smiled, then kissed her. "I trust your judgement, my love."
As he stepped away, a sales associate approached Usagi and Ikuko.
"May I help you?" the woman asked with a bow.
"Yes," Usagi said. "I'm looking at jackets."
The woman glanced back in the direction Mamoru had taken. "For your husband," she said.
Usagi beamed inwardly, but managed to suppress any serious outward reaction. "Yes."
Ikuko raised an eyebrow, but could understand her daughter's feelings. She recalled how happy she had been the first time someone had assumed she was Kenji's wife.
The woman reached for another jacket. "This is one of the latest fashions," she said. "It has the stylish trends of the more expensive designer brands, but is wearable for general use."
Usagi glanced at it. "I'm afraid that's the wrong size," she said, quickly finding one in Mamoru's size. "But I do like it."
The woman handed her the correct size jacket. "And might I suggest this one as well? We've found this to be one of our more popular styles."
Usagi thought it looked like a cheap biker jacket. "I don't think so," she said. "That's just not to his taste, I'm afraid."
"Very well," the woman said. "Is your husband looking for business wear or more casual."
"We're looking for casual wear at the moment," Usagi said.
The woman nodded. "We have a line of casual jackets over here," she said. "This is a more high-end line."
"These look nice," Usagi said. "I really like that one."
The woman took down the one Usagi had indicated. "This one?"
Usagi nodded. "Yes. I think he'll look great in that."
Ikuko glanced at the price and cringed, but said nothing, knowing that Mamoru could afford it and assumed that Usagi would have a decent idea of what Mamoru would consider reasonable. She also had to admire how Usagi was handling herself and that Mamoru obviously trusted her judgement.
Just then, Mamoru returned, holding a slip of paper.
"Are you finding anything, Usako?" he asked.
The sales associate bowed. "Your wife has selected several very nice jackets for you, sir."
Mamoru glanced at Usagi and smiled. 'Such a pleasant thought, my love,' he whispered through their link. He then turned back to the sales associate. "I wouldn't doubt it, thank you. My wife has very good taste."
'Especially in choosing a good man, my prince,' Usagi replied through their link.
The woman bowed again.
Usagi showed Mamoru the jackets she had chosen.
"Will there be anything else?" the woman asked Usagi.
"I don't think so, thank you," Usagi said.
"And you, ma'am?" the woman asked Ikuko.
Ikuko looked at the sweater she had selected for Kenji, then shook her head. "I don't think I need any further help, thank you."
The woman bowed. "When you are ready to pay for your items, please come to the counter." She motioned to the register.
"Thank you," Mamoru said.
The woman bowed once more, then turned and walked away.
Ikuko leaned closer. "I was very impressed, Usagi. I think you liked letting her think you're Mamoru's wife."
"Of course," Usagi said. "But she was the one who thought that. I just didn't tell her she was wrong."
Ikuko smiled. "I had a similar experience soon after your father proposed to me, Usagi. I know what it's like... But you did take the role very well."
Usagi grinned and gave Mamoru a hug. "Some things just come naturally, Mom," she said. "And being with him seems the most natural thing to me now."
Mamoru nodded. "I quite agree... but we should probably pay for this, Usako, then I have something I'd like to show you."
"OK," she agreed.
Ikuko picked out another sweater, this one a long-sleeved sweater. "Tell me, Mamoru-san," she said. "What did you think about that woman assuming Usagi was your wife?"
"I like the idea, but I think you already know that since I've asked her to marry me," he said. "And as long as the mistake doesn't create a problem for her, I don't have a problem with it... In fact, I don't mean to be presumptive or in any way out of line, Ikuko-san, but I have to admit that if I could make it real for us, I would readily do so."
Ikuko looked at him in surprise. "You mean you'd marry her even when she's still so young?"
Usagi tightened her grasp on Mamoru's arm, a very bright, happy smile on her face.
"Certainly, Ikuko-san," Mamoru said. "I love her more than anything..."
"And I love you, Mamo-chan," Usagi sighed. "And I want so much to really be your wife."
Mamoru smiled and embraced her. "She is everything to me," he said to Ikuko. "Usagi is my family, and we're going to make a family together for our child. There is nothing I want more than to spend the rest of my life with her. She has matured so much over the last few months, and our love for each other has only grown stronger. If we could make it happen, then yes, I wouldn't have the slightest hesitation."
"Neither would I," Usagi said.
Ikuko looked at them both. She could clearly see how much they cared for each other, and she had to admit Usagi was no longer the young girl she had been only a few months before. Reservations still lingered in her mind, but there was no real basis for arguing that they should not live together under the present circumstances, and if they were fully prepared to live together in a committed, loving relationship, it did become harder to say that age alone should stand in their way. Ikuko sighed. She knew she was going to have a hard enough time convincing Kenji that Usagi should move in with Mamoru. Anything more than that was out of the question for the time being.
"Well, I can appreciate your sentiments," Ikuko said softly. "But I think that might be asking for a bit much just now."
"I haven't asked for it, Ikuko-san," Mamoru pointed out. "Neither has Usagi. You just asked how we felt."
Ikuko nodded. "You two should pay for your jackets," she finally said. "I need to find a few more things."
"Alright," Mamoru said. "We'll meet you outside the store in... say, forty-five minutes?"
Ikuko glanced at her watch. "That's fine."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mamoru led Usagi up to the store's second level.
"Where are we going, Mamo-chan?" she asked.
"I have a surprise or two for you," he said.
He led her back to a section filled with fancy traditional robes.
"Oh, Mamo-chan! These are beautiful," she sighed.
He nodded. "Just like you, my love." He indicated a set of robes. "I wanted to buy you one, if you would like it."
"That's so great!" she exclaimed, looking at the robes. "But these robes are for a married woman."
He smiled. "So you have been studying traditional kimono robes," he said. Kimonos were cut differently for men and women, and the sleeve style differed for younger, unmarried women, and women who were married.
She looked at him and grinned. "Why, Mamo-chan! You want people to think I'm your wife too."
"Of course, my love," he said. "But seeing as you're pregnant, it just seems to make more sense to go with that style."
She embraced him happily. "I love you, Mamo-chan."
A sales associate moved toward them. "May I help you?" she asked.
"Yes," Mamoru said. "My, ah, my wife is interested in a kimono set."
"Certainly," the woman said, turning to Usagi. "First, I will need to gather some information. May I ask your name, please?"
Usagi glanced at Mamoru, then nodded. "Chiba Usagi," she said, thrilled at how right that sounded to her.
The woman made a note. "And now, Chiba-san, I need to take some measurements, please."
Usagi nodded again, standing there as the woman took a number of different measurements, recording each one on a chart.
"Thank you, Chiba-san," the woman said to Usagi. "Now, as you can see, we have a number of different styles, but for a younger married woman, I think we have three basic styles that would be appropriate." She indicated three mannequins, then opened a catalog. "We have several variations available for each of these, including several different color options."
Usagi looked over at Mamoru. "They're all lovely," she said softly. "I don't know which one to choose."
"If I might suggest," the woman said. "The golden trim and highlights in this particular one would go very well with your hair, while the primary tone prevents it from being overly gaudy. If the style is to your liking, it would make a very good choice."
"What about this one?" Mamoru asked.
The woman checked her catalog. "That one is the classic traditional design. Though some of our younger customers find them rather plain, if you are interested in the classic kimono, it would be very hard to go wrong with that."
"I think I like the classic one," Usagi said to Mamoru.
"I agree," he replied.
The woman made some more notes, writing down numbers from the catalog. "We sell these as a package," she said. "It will include all the under robes and the stockings."
Usagi nodded.
"But as is customary, the obi is sold separately," the woman added, referring to the broad belt that went around the robe. "Each woman usually selects her own obi."
"I understand," Usagi said.
Usagi looked through the catalog, finding a number of obi patterns. To her surprise, she found one that had crescent moon images interwoven with images of flowers.
"This one is beautiful," Usagi said.
The woman looked at the pattern Usagi had indicated, noting the number. "That is a lovely one," she agreed. "It's a new pattern. We haven't sold very many, but I think you've made an excellent choice." She made several more notes, then led them to a computer terminal at a desk, where they sat down. She typed in the information she had gathered. After several moments, a picture appeared on the screen. "If you will look at the screen, Chiba-san, you will see the colors and patterns you've chosen, or that are standard," she said to Usagi. "If there is anything here you don't care for..."
"No. I think it looks fine," Usagi said.
"Excellent," the woman said. "If you will sign here, we can process your order."
Mamoru took the form and signed it, providing his credit card to pay the deposit.
"Thank you, sir," the woman said. "It should take about two weeks to have this completed. When your kimono and obi come in, we'll do a fitting here and make any final adjustments that may be required."
"Thank you very much," Usagi said.
"Thank you," the woman said, as Usagi and Mamoru rose to their feet. She handed back Mamoru's credit card and his receipt. "This gives you the expected delivery date," she said, indicating the receipt. "And here you have my name and our phone number if you should have any questions."
"Thank you," Mamoru said.
He and Usagi turned and walked away.
"Thank you, Mamo-chan," she said. "I just love it... but did you see how much that kimono is going to cost?"
He nodded. "It's OK, Usako. I can afford it, and I think you're worth it, my love." He slipped his arm around her, leaned over, and kissed her cheek. "But I still have another surprise for you."
"Really? What is it?"
"You'll see," he said. "I ordered a few things."
He led her over to the service counter.
"May I help you, sir?" the clerk at the counter asked.
"Yes," Mamoru said. "My name is Chiba Mamoru. I have an order to pick up."
"Certainly, sir," the man said. He walked into the back room, returning with two large garment boxes. "Here you are, sir."
Mamoru presented his credit card, then opened the first box.
"Oh, wow!" Usagi exclaimed, seeing a beautiful evening gown. "It's lovely."
"The woman who wears it is the true lovely one," he said.
She smiled at him. "You're so sweet, Mamo-chan."
"You bring out the best in me, my love," he replied.
The clerk leaned forward, returning Mamoru's card. "If you would sign here, please, sir."
Mamoru nodded and signed the receipt.
"Thank you, sir," the clerk said. "Is there anything else."
Mamoru opened the second box, revealing a more casual dress with a floral pattern across the skirt.
"Very nice," she said, looking at it. "I think you're spoiling me, Mamo-chan."
He kissed her cheek. "Everything is fine, thank you," he told the clerk.
The clerk bowed as Mamoru and Usagi closed the boxes. "May I offer you a bag, sir?"
"Thank you. That would be most helpful," Mamoru said.
The man reached under the counter, retrieving a large bag. He then slipped both boxes into the bag and handed it to Mamoru. "There you are, sir. Thank you for shopping with us."
Mamoru nodded.
"You and your wife have a nice day, sir," the clerk added.
Usagi smiled happily at Mamoru as they walked away. "I just love being referred to that way, Mamo-chan," she said softly.
"I like it too, my love," he said.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Usagi and Mamoru emerged from the store to find Ikuko sitting on a bench, waiting for them.
"I see you've been busy," Ikuko said, looking at everything they were carrying with them.
"Mamoru bought me a new gown and a dress," Usagi said. "And we ordered a kimono."
Ikuko nodded, again working to suppress a wave of concern over how much Mamoru must have just spent. "That sounds very nice, dear. I'm sure you'll find the kimono very useful as you get farther along, since they tend to make women look pretty shapeless anyway."
"Really? I hadn't thought of that," Usagi said.
"Yes," Ikuko said. "When I was pregnant with you, and again with Shingo, after about the fourth month, any time your father and I went out, I went traditional. When I was younger, I'd never really been that much into kimonos."
"I must say I hadn't thought about that either," Mamoru said. "I just thought she would like to have a kimono."
Just then, Usagi frowned. She set the bag she was holding down on the bench next to Ikuko. "I need to run to the restroom," she said quietly. "I'll be right back."
"Alright, Usako," Mamoru said.
Usagi turned and hurried to the restroom. Mamoru's eyes followed her as she left.
Ikuko sighed. "She certainly has changed over the last few months. It's really amazing."
"She's the most wonderful thing ever to happen to me," Mamoru said. "And yes, she really has matured."
Ikuko looked up at him. "I must say... it does feel a little strange seeing my fourteen-year-old daughter not only being mistaken by others as being married, but seeming to do so well in the role."
Mamoru nodded. "She is doing very well. She's everything I could ever ask for, and I'm thrilled to be making a family with her."
"I know my husband is not going to be happy with the idea of Usagi moving in with you, Mamoru-san," Ikuko said.
"But she's going to need quite a bit of extra help," Mamoru said.
"I am well aware of that," Ikuko said. "And I happen to think having her move in with you is the right thing to do... But I'm afraid Kenji is still in denial about that."
"I see," Mamoru said softly.
"I think I can convince him that Usagi really must move in with you," Ikuko said. "But for the time being there must not be any suggestion of you two getting married. That will only cause him to dig in his heels."
"I understand," Mamoru said.
Usagi returned, embracing Mamoru and giving him a kiss. "Miss me, Mamo-chan?"
"Of course, my love," he said, kissing her in return.
Ikuko rose to her feet.
"I think we'd better go," Mamoru said to Usagi.
Usagi nodded and picked up her bag. The three of them then headed back toward the entrance they came in through.< To be continued >
* * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE: In chapter 27, I explained that I've taken a slight liberty in the way the Japanese calculate ages. As a reminder, for the purposes of this story, Rei would be considered 14 on January 1, while her 14th birthday would be in April. See the Author's Notes in chapter 27 for a more complete explanation on how the calculation actually works, and why I've chosen to depart from that. More to come.Hopeless Romantic and I now have a message group to notify our readers when we post new stories/chapters. Those who are interested can sign up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/strands_of_moonlight/ .
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.
-02.09.2002