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 40 - Looking Ahead <
The elevator door slid open, and Mamoru and Usagi emerged on the top floor of his building. She carried a large bag slung over her shoulder. A wide hallway extended off to the left and the right, while a smaller hallway led back to the freight elevator at the rear of the building. He led her to the right and retrieved a key from his pocket.
"They're not finished cleaning it yet, but I have permission to take a look," Mamoru said.
"Our new apartment," Usagi exclaimed. "Oh, Mamo-chan! It's so wonderful!"
Luna's head emerged from Usagi's bag and the cat looked around.
Mamoru unlocked the door. "After you, my love."
Usagi stepped inside, switching on the light. The entry hall was small but comfortable, with a closet and a shelf for shoes, above which was the customary small alcove where the family would keep a plate or a piece of pottery as a sign of welcome. She immediately slipped off her shoes and moved forward. "It looks very nice," she said.
Mamoru slipped off his shoes and stepped behind his future wife. He still remembered clearly the excitement in her voice when she had told him that her parents had agreed to her moving in with him, and how happy he had been. At last they were going to be a family, and make a home together.
Directly in front of them and up a step from the entryway was the living room, which extended to a broad window wall, opening on to a spacious balcony. A faux fireplace dominated one wall. To their right was a hallway bordered on one side by traditional screen panels. Sliding one of the panels open, they found the dining room with a wood floor and a low hanging lamp, clearly set up for a traditional low table. At the far end of the dining room, another screen covered an opening in the wall. Behind this screen was the kitchen, which was configured in the standard galley style, with a large pantry closet at one end, while a skylight assured ample illumination during the day.
They walked past the kitchen, where two bedrooms were located, with a bathroom and separate toilet closet between them.
"This is nice," she said.
"Yes, it is," he agreed.
"And we can give one of these rooms to Luna," she added.
Luna struggled out of Usagi's bag and jumped to the floor, looking around. "But just how am I supposed to get in and out of here?" she asked. "I can hardly go out the window as I do at your parents' house, Usagi... Not when we're twelve stories up. And I can't really manage either the elevator or the door to the stairs."
Usagi nodded. "Actually, I've been thinking about that, Luna, and I have a possible solution." She retrieved a magazine from a side pocket of her bag and opened it, setting it down on the floor. "I was thinking of calling this 'Luna's Palace'." She giggled softly.
"A 'Kitty Kastle'?" Luna asked dubiously, looking at the picture of the large, vaguely castle-shaped cat condo. It had multiple levels for a cat to climb and perch on. "How does this help?"
"Simple. With the ginzuishou, I can turn one of these chambers into a magic doorway," Usagi said. "I can conceal a doorway on the grounds of the Hickawa temple, and another near Minako's house, so you can easily visit Artemis."
Luna glared as Usagi giggled. "Let's leave that lazy-bones out of this, thank you," Luna grumbled. "But I must say... this does sound like a very good idea... I am very impressed, Usagi."
"Thank you, Luna," Usagi said. "We both want you to be at home here, and I knew you would need to be able to come and go."
Luna nodded, once again realizing just how much her young charge had matured in the past few months.
Mamoru placed a hand gently on Usagi's shoulder, then motioned back toward another door. "And over here is the master suite, my love."
They walked into a comfortably sized bedroom with a full wall of windows. An alcove at one side opened into a bathroom and a toilet closet. Next to that were two large walk-in closets.
"Two closets?" Usagi asked. "I've never had that much space before."
He smiled. "With a family, we may find we need every bit of it, Usako."
She nodded, smiling up at him lovingly. "Our family, Mamo-chan," she sighed, gently squeezing his hand.
Luna circled the room, occasionally sniffing, then jumped up on the window sill to look outside. "They need to clean the carpets," she quipped. "The last tenant obviously was a smoker."
"I didn't notice anything," Mamoru said. "But then, you have a much better nose, Luna."
Usagi stepped into the bathroom. "Oh, Mamo-chan!" she exclaimed. The bathroom had a jetted tub, easily large enough for both of them, as well as a separate shower. She looked at him as he entered the bathroom behind her, a grin spreading across her face. "I think we could have fun with this tub."
"Hmmm, I'm sure we could," he agreed, slipping his arms around her and holding her close. He leaned down and kissed her cheek.
"A-hem!" Luna interrupted from the doorway. "We're not here for you two to try out the tub, you know."
"Thank you, Luna," Usagi sighed, shaking her head. "But Mamo-chan and I do not need a chaperone."
Luna just turned and flicked her tail, returning to the window.
Mamoru kissed Usagi's cheek once more. They then returned to the living room, where he slid open the door to the balcony. The noise of the city swelled gently up from below. They stepped out onto the balcony, feeling the cool air of late autumn.
"This is very nice," Usagi said softly.
Mamoru nodded. "If we get some outdoor furniture, we should be able to even eat out here, when the weather is good."
"That does sound like fun," she said.
"I just want you to be happy," he said.
She looked up at him in delight, gazing into his exquisite blue-gray eyes. He smiled, then drew her into his embrace. She pressed herself against him, enjoying the feel of his strong arms enfolding her just as much as the very first time Tuxedo Kamen had embraced Sailor Moon. He leaned down and their lips came together.
"I love you, Mamo-chan," she sighed.
"I love you, Usako," he whispered, kissing her again. "Think you can handle making a home here together?"
She nodded. "As long as it's with you, my handsome prince."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said softly. "You, me, and our baby."
"Oh, I do like that idea," she said, tightening her embrace of him and kissing him.
He smiled, taking a moment to again admire her incredible beauty and strength. Truly, he had been absolutely blessed to enjoy the love of such an exceptional young woman. "We should probably go, my love," he finally said.
She nodded, then kissed him once again. They turned and walked back into the apartment. "Luna," Usagi called, as Mamoru closed the door.
Luna appeared, walking down the hall from the other two bedrooms. "Are we leaving?"
"Yes," Usagi said. She crouched down and opened her bag, allowing the cat to jump in.
Mamoru and Usagi returned to the entryway, slipping their shoes back on, and stepped out into the hall.
"It's a very nice apartment, Mamo-chan," Usagi said. "Uhm... but do I want to know how much this is going to cost?"
He smiled, taking her hand in his own. "Well... probably not."
"Mamo-chan," she sighed. "I... I know money really isn't an issue for you... but you don't need to..."
"Usako, we're going to be married," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, nothing is too good for you or our baby... but really, apartments aren't cheap in Tokyo, you know."
She looked at him uncertainly as they approached the elevator.
"That's right," he said. "Housing is expensive, but all things considered, this one is actually a comparatively good deal."
The elevator doors slid open and they stepped in.
"Well... ah... I'm sorry if I overreacted," she said softly.
He kissed her cheek. "That's OK. We should be able to talk about things like that."
Luna stuck her head back out of the bag. "Excuse me, but we are supposed to be meeting the others at the Temple, Usagi."
Usagi nodded as Mamoru pressed the button for the lobby.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ami and Ryo emerged from the library and walked along the street, holding hands. They stopped at the corner and he leaned closer, kissing her. "I love you," he said softly.
She smiled. "I love you... more than anything."
They crossed the street and continued walking.
"After my meeting, do you want to go home for dinner and more studying?" she asked.
"More studying? Ami, we've already finished three of our text books and the school year isn't even half over," he said. "I think we can afford to ease up a bit. Afterall, there's more to life than just studying, my beautiful girl genius."
She grinned and giggled. "Actually, I wasn't thinking about school work."
"Really?"
She nodded, then pulled him into her embrace and pressed her lips to his. "I was thinking of some close..." She paused to kiss him again. "...personal... very detailed... study... of my gorgeous... and very sexy... boyfriend."
"Oh Ami, darling," he sighed. "If you keep that up, I'm not going to be able to wait until you're done with your meeting."
She kissed him once more and rubbed her body against him. "So... I can get you excited, hmm?"
"You already know you can," he said.
Just then, they heard screams and the sound of tearing metal. They both glanced in the direction of the sounds, then broke into a run.
"A car accident?" she asked doubtfully.
"No... I'm afraid not," he said.
They rounded the next corner, finding two large blood-red youma which vaguely resembled gorillas. One had smashed a parked car, and now both were advancing down the street, growling menacingly. Three police officers had courageously positioned themselves between the youma and the crowd, trying to clear the street.
Ami produced her transformation pen and rushed into an alley.
"Wait!" Ryo called, dashing after her. "Don't transform."
"What? Why not?"
"I'm not sure what those things are, but I think they're probing... They're trying to draw you and the other Senshi out," he said.
In surprise, she looked back out into the street. She shoved her pen back into her pocket, and opened her computer instead, scanning the youma.
"Anything?" he asked.
"I'm not sure," she said quietly, tapping at the keyboard. "Wait a minute... Their energy levels are decreasing... slowly, but steadily. They should disappear on their own in about 45 minutes or so."
He nodded. "The Dark Kingdom obviously assumes the Senshi will find them before that happens."
"We just have to make sure they don't seriously hurt anyone," Ami said.
They retreated deeper into the alley as the youma passed. Ami produced her communicator and pressed the button. "I have several youma here, a few blocks from the library."
"Do you need help?" Makoto asked.
"I... I don't think so," Ami answered. "It looks like they're trying to draw us out. The youma have only enough energy for another 45 minutes or so. I'm just going to stay close to try to keep people from getting hurt."
"That sounds good, Ami-chan," Usagi said. "Be careful."
"I will." Ami switched off her communicator, and she and Ryo returned to the street, making their way slowly after the youma.
As they moved down the street, two police vans pulled across in front of the youma.
"This doesn't look good," Ami said.
One of the youma jumped forward with a loud roar, smashing a van. The police officers immediately scattered. Moments later, three helicopters of the Self-Defense Forces appeared overhead. The youma stopped, looking up at the circling helicopters in confusion. The second youma tore apart the remaining police van, hurling a piece of the van at one of the helicopters. The rapid staccato of a heavy machine gun filled the air. Ryo was already pulling Ami down. Machine guns fired from the other two helicopters. Both youma staggered under the repeated impacts, finally tumbling to the ground with screams of pain. One youma struggled back to its feet. The machine fire immediately resumed, this time targeting each creature's head. Both youma fell back, immediately collapsing into dust.
"Are you alright?" Ryo asked, holding Ami close.
She nodded. "I'm fine... What about the youma?"
He glanced down the street. "I think the military got both of them."
"We need to get to the temple," she said, sitting up.
He rose to his feet and helped her up after him.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"The military finished them off?" Rei asked, surprised.
"That's right," Ryo confirmed. "Their heads were basically taken off with heavy machine gun fire."
"I didn't think conventional weapons could kill a youma," Makoto said.
"They shouldn't be able to," Luna said. "These youma must be much weaker than the ones we've faced before."
"Well, the one Geoff and I faced was hardly a pushover," Minako said.
"And I needed the power of Endymion's sword to destroy the one I encountered," Mamoru added.
Artemis jumped up on the table. "Ryo, you said they were here to draw out the Senshi?"
"That's right," Ryo answered.
"And they didn't have enough energy to last very long," Ami said.
Artemis nodded. "I think these youma were intended only to fight the Senshi, and to be able to stand up to your powers, at least for a short time. The Dark Kingdom probably never intended them to face conventional weapons."
"That does sound reasonable," Luna agreed.
"So, just what are they up to?" Usagi asked.
"They seem to be going to a lot of effort, but surely one or two of these youma couldn't threaten all of us," Rei said. "If they were really out to get us, why not attack all at once?"
"That must come later," Minako said softly. "It's like the first few volleys of what's clearly going to be an extended rally..."
"Or the first moves in a chess match," Ami agreed. "You test your opponent's skills."
Usagi nodded. "They only want to keep us busy. Keep us from having time to prepare our own move."
"That makes sense," Artemis said. "But if you try to ignore their attacks, the Dark Kingdom is certain to just become more violent in its moves, posing more of a threat to bystanders. It will be tough to just do nothing in a situation like that."
"We can't do nothing," Usagi said quietly. "How close are we to being able to carry our attack to the Dark Kingdom?"
"Not close enough, I'm afraid," Artemis said, shaking his head. "We do not yet have solid information on how to get into the Dark Kingdom."
"And this change in tactics may mean they're very nearly ready to launch their final attack," Luna added
Usagi sighed. "That must be our priority right now. We have to make our move before they do."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mamoru drove Usagi back to his apartment.
"Are you sure we're ready to take them on like this?" he asked.
"No... But we have to," she said. "They destroyed our world once. For all our friends... for our baby... we can't let them do it again."
He nodded, then reached over and placed his hand gently on her thigh. "You're absolutely right, my love," he said. "Do you know how much I love you?"
She looked over at him and smiled. "As much as I love you, Mamo-chan."
"You are such an exceptional woman," he told her.
She placed her hand over his. "Mamo-chan," she sighed. "I am so lucky to have fallen in love with such a wonderful man."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ami and Ryo reached the front door of her home. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply.
"Ryo," she sighed, even as arousal swelled within her. "Can't you at least wait until we get inside?"
"I suppose," he said, with a soft chuckle.
She turned and retrieved her key, quickly opening the door. They stepped inside and he swung the door closed.
As they slipped off their shoes and set down their briefcases, he took her back in his arms, kissing her deeply. She sighed into the kiss, letting her tongue dance with his own. His hands slid slowly down over her back, coming to rest on her waist, where he began to slide her skirt down.
Just then, there was a noise from upstairs.
"Ami? Is that you, dear?" Dr. Mizuno called, starting down the stairs.
"Ryo!" Ami gasped, hurriedly pulling her skirt back into place. "Ah, yes Mom," she called. "It's me and Ryo."
Dr. Mizuno glanced at them knowingly. "Let's not get carried away, you two," she said with a smile.
Ami and Ryo both blushed. "Uhm, Mom... It wasn't... I mean..." Ami stammered.
Shaking her head, Dr. Mizuno stepped forward. "I understand, dear... But maybe you could curb your... enthusiasm until later."
Ami turned, glancing down to make sure her skirt was securely in place. As she looked up again, she noticed that her mother was dressed in a suit. "Are you going out, Mom? I thought you were working tonight."
"I traded shifts with Dr. Hara," Dr. Mizuno said. "He asked me to attend the pediatrics conference tonight in his place. I should be home about eleven."
"That's great, Mom," Ami said, knowing Dr. Hara was head of her department, and that this was a significant demonstration of his professional respect for her. "Have a good time."
"Thank you, dear," Dr. Mizuno said. "I'd wish you the same, but I suspect you two already have plans for that."
Ami blushed again.
"Good night Ami, Ryo," Dr. Mizuno continued. "You'll find plenty of things for dinner in the refrigerator and the pantry."
"Good night, Mizuno-san," Ryo said, sharing Ami's embarrassment.
Dr. Mizuno nodded, stepping past them to slip on her shoes and a light jacket.
"Good night, Mom," Ami said.
"Good night," Dr. Mizuno said again, as she opened the door and stepped outside.
After the door had closed, Ryo took Ami's hand and kissed her. "I'm sorry, darling. I guess I got a little carried away there."
"It was as much my fault as yours," Ami said. "Besides, we didn't know she'd changed her shift."
He nodded, kissing her again. "So... do you want to think about dinner? Being just about caught in the act by your girlfriend's mother is better than a cold shower."
She smiled and nodded. "I know what you mean. I mean, I know Mom doesn't object to our relationship, but still... that was just really awkward and embarrassing."
"If she was any less accepting, she probably would have thrown me out," he said.
"I'm sure she wouldn't do that," she said. "She knows how happy we are together."
Holding hands, they walked into the kitchen.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Usagi sat on the bed as Mamoru slowly and carefully brushed the long golden strands of her hair. She sighed happily, enjoying a quiet evening at home with the man she loved.
He smiled as he stroked his hand along her soft hair. Her beauty still took his breath away. She was the most loving person he had ever known, and she had brought a joy to his life that he hadn't known since before his parents died. Yet, as happy as they both were, he still remembered how young she was.
He leaned forward. "Do you have any regrets?"
"Regrets? About what?" she asked, glancing back at him.
"About giving up so much of the life of an ordinary teenage girl," he said. "I mean, an average fourteen-year-old girl isn't engaged, pregnant, and a superhero struggling to save the universe."
She nodded. "And no girl has such a wonderful man as I do," she said, giggling softly.
He smiled. "And I have a simply incredible young woman... But do you have regrets?"
"Well... maybe occasionally," she said quietly. "Like last week... Some of the girls were talking about having a slumber party..."
"And you wanted to go?"
She shook her head. "No... But it was a bit strange to realize that I now have such different interests... I mean, when I started eighth grade, Naru and I would definitely have gone to a party like that and spent most of the night talking about gossip, music, and cute guys... But now, I just don't seem to have much interest in that. Afterall, I already have the most wonderful man in the whole world."
He leaned forward and kissed her. "And you are the most wonderful woman," he said. "But as happy as we are together, I guess I still worry that you might feel you're missing out on something."
She turned and embraced him. "Oh, Mamo-chan," she sighed. "Anything I might be missing out on, I know I have gained so much more just by being with you. Besides, you missed out on quite a bit when you were younger. I'm very happy to find things to do with you."
"What about being Sailor Moon and the princess?" he asked.
Her smile grew still brighter. "If I hadn't become Sailor Moon, I never would have truly found you." She kissed him softly. "And you are absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to me. I don't care about the rest of it."
He kissed her in return. "And you are the best thing to happen to me, Usako. I know now I was living only a shadow life between the death of my parents and meeting you. You've taught me how to love again."
"I'm so glad," she said. "I love you so much... and I want to make you happy."
"You certainly do that," he said.
She kissed his cheek, then rose to her feet. Taking the brush from him, she placed it on the dresser, then walked into the bathroom. She stepped onto the scale, checking her weight once more. She had been putting on weight just as Dr. Hamada had wanted. Returning to the bedroom, she remembered something else she had been meaning to check. She picked up a measuring tape and slipped it around her waist. As she looked at the measurement, her eyes misted and a happy smile spread across her face. It wasn't really that much of a difference, but enough that she could be sure she wasn't just reading it wrong.
"Mamo-chan," she exclaimed softly. "I'm... I'm getting bigger."
He moved to her side, glancing at the tape. She leaned closer, gazing up at him, her eyes aglow with love and happiness. "Usako, my love," he whispered. He slipped his arms around her and kissed this woman he loved more than anything.< To be continued >
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NOTE: Once again, real life has intruded, along with another dry spell to delay this chapter. Thanks to everyone who has responded with feedback and encouragement. And as always, the most special thanks to my lovely wife, Hopeless Romantic. 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.
-06.15.2002