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 43 - Learning the Part <
Rei stepped off the bus, just down the street from Kara's school. She had changed out of her uniform before leaving her own school. Atana had a meeting that afternoon, and had asked Rei to pick Kara up, making the necessary arrangements that morning.
Rei walked up to the school building, seeing a number of younger children with their parents. Many were obviously foreigners. She recalled that Atana had said the school served the children of diplomats and American military officers. Reaching the door, she went inside, finding several young women sitting at the reception desk. Rei stepped into the line behind an American officer and waited her turn.
The woman at the desk looked up at Rei, apparently trying to decide which language was appropriate. "Good afternoon," she said, settling on Japanese. "How may I help you?"
"My name is Hino Rei. I am here for Kara Magi," Rei said. "I was told I would need to show ID and her father's authorization." Rei presented her ID card and the form signed by Atana.
The woman looked over the form and Rei's ID, then typed something into her computer terminal. She checked the information on her screen against that on the form, then nodded. "Thank you, Hino-san. She will be out shortly." She handed Rei's ID and the form back to her.
"Thank you," Rei said.
She stepped aside and took a seat. Several minutes later, a door opened and a female teacher escorted several children into the reception area, including Kara.
"Rei!" Kara cried excitedly. She ran to Rei and threw her arms around her.
"Hi, honey," Rei said softly in English, unconsciously adopting the affectionate expression Atana used for Kara. "How was your day?"
"We had fun," Kara said, a wide grin spreading across her young face.
Just then, the teacher and a male attendant stepped over to them, holding a clipboard. "Excuse me," the teacher said in English. "I need to check your ID before we can release her. It is school policy."
Rei nodded. Her English had improved quite a bit recently out of necessity, but she still didn't completely trust herself with the language, taking a moment to frame her reply. "Uhm, Yes... Of course," she said. She retrieved her ID card and the form Atana had signed.
The teacher looked at both, then made a note on her clipboard, before handing the card and the form back to Rei. "Thank you, Miss Hino," she said, still in English.
"You're welcome," Rei said, slipping the card and the form back into her purse. She then turned her attention back to Kara. "Are you ready to go?" she asked slowly.
Kara nodded, starting to slip on her backpack. Rei crouched down to help her. "Thanks," Kara said softly.
Rei smiled at her. "You're welcome."
She stood back up and took hold of Kara's hand. Together, they headed for the front door, and Rei walked Kara back toward the bus stop. As they walked, she looked down at the little girl. It still amazed her to think that this was the daughter of her past self. Yet, she couldn't deny how much she cared for both Kara and her father.
"What did you do today?" Rei asked.
"We played some games," Kara said. "And we learned some new words."
"Japanese words?"
Kara nodded.
"Would you like to learn more Japanese?" Rei asked.
"Sure," Kara said. "Will you teach me?"
"I think so," Rei said. "Your daddy and I can do it together."
Kara smiled and threw her arms around Rei. "I would like that."
"I would like it too," Rei agreed.
Kara looked up at Rei for a moment. "Will you stay with us again tonight? Please?"
Rei hesitated, taking a breath. "I... I would like to, honey... but we will have to see."
"Please?" Kara asked again. "I really like it when you stay with us."
"I like it too," Rei told her. "But I can't do it all the time." She already found herself wishing she could.
Just then, the bus pulled up and Rei helped Kara climb on. Rei found two seats, but Kara quickly slid into her lap. A smile formed on Rei's face as she gently slid her arms around Kara to hold her in place.
"Do you mind spending the afternoon at the Temple?" Rei asked.
Kara looked up at her, a bright grin on her face. "Can I wear the robes again?"
"Sure you can."
"Great!" Kara exclaimed.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In Rei's bedroom, she helped Kara into the last pieces of her old temple maiden's robes. The more she looked at the little girl, the more clearly she saw the resemblance between them.
"Does it fit OK?" Rei asked.
Grinning happily, Kara nodded. "Yes."
"Good." Rei smiled at the younger girl, then began slipping on her own robes while Kara watched closely. With her robes on, Rei started to brush her hair.
"Will you brush my hair too?" Kara asked, sliding closer to Rei.
"Uhm, sure," Rei answered.
She turned slightly and began gently brushing Kara's raven, shoulder-length hair.
"You have very pretty hair," Rei said.
Kara smiled happily. "Daddy says I must get it from my mommy," she said softly.
Rei felt a shiver run through her and a lump formed in her throat. "Ah... I, I'm sure he's right."
Kara looked back at her. "I hope my hair gets long and soft... just like yours."
Rei smiled, even as powerful emotions swelled within her. She gave the girl a hug. "You are sweet, honey," she whispered.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mamoru and Usagi walked across the grounds of the Temple. Ahead of them, they could see Rei talking with a couple who had just finished offering prayers. They were surprised to see the identically clad little girl standing next to Rei.
"That's Kara-chan," Usagi said softly.
"It must be," Mamoru agreed.
"She looks so much like Rei... It's incredible," Usagi said.
Mamoru nodded. "I think at least some people are going to notice the resemblance."
"Yes... Rei may need to think up a cover story of some sort."
"But that could be difficult if Kara doesn't know the truth yet," he observed. "And the obvious cover would be to say that Kara and Rei are perhaps cousins, but that makes Rei's relationship with Atana a bit awkward."
"That's true," she agreed. "I guess we can mention it to her, but Rei and Atana are the ones who will have to deal with that."
Mamoru leaned over and kissed Usagi. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you, Mamo-chan," she sighed.
Rei and Kara moved toward them. "Hello, Chibas," Rei called with a grin.
"Hello, Rei-chan," Usagi replied. She smiled as she looked at Kara, taking a moment to recall her own rather weak English. "Ah, hello, Kara."
Kara smiled, and burst into giggles as Rei squeezed her hand. She then bowed. "Hello, Mrs. Chiba," the young girl said politely, before giggling again.
Usagi glanced over at Mamoru as a smirk spread across Rei's face. Usagi then smiled and crouched down. "You... uhm, you may... call me Usagi, Kara-chan," she said.
Kara nodded, still giggling. "Thank you."
"You... are... ah, very polite," Usagi said to Kara. She then looked up at Rei. "You put her up to that," Usagi said in Japanese.
Rei grinned. "Of course. But you can't tell me you didn't love it."
Usagi nodded, then glanced back at Kara. "Well, at least she got her manners from her father," she said in Japanese, looking at Rei with a grin.
Rei scowled.
"But she definitely looks just like her mother," Usagi added.
Rei's scowled immediately turned into a smile as she looked down at Kara and nodded.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Senshi sat together around Rei's table, joined by Luna, Artemis, Mamoru, and Ryo, as Sailor Pluto, attired in a conservative suit sat with them. Rei's grandfather was looking after Kara, showing her around the Temple grounds.
"I believe you said you were here because of Atana-san," Usagi said to Pluto.
Pluto nodded. "That is correct," she said quietly.
"And you said he was followed," Rei added.
"Yes," Pluto confirmed.
"Is that the source of the youma that had been attacking him in this time?" Usagi asked.
The older Senshi nodded again. "The time portal which Prince Atana opened..."
"Prince Atana?" Minako asked.
"Yes. He was the younger son of a Polynesian king," Pluto explained. "And when he decided to seek refuge for himself and her highness, Princess Kara, in the future, I immediately sensed it. But so too did one of Beryl's shadow demons. With a small group of youma, the shadow demon left the attack on the Moon Kingdom, and instead pursued Prince Atana into the future."
"Was the shadow demon the big one we fought in the park?" Rei asked.
"Yes," Pluto answered. "By destroying that one, you eliminated that threat to Prince Atana and Princess Kara."
"But why were the attacks on Atana-san so sporadic and disorganized?" Mamoru asked.
A faint smile formed on Pluto's face. "Queen Serenity had anticipated the decision of Prince Atana and Princess Rei to send their daughter to safety... and her majesty specifically forbade me to interfere... Ordinarily I would have blocked any attempt to travel through time. I am certain she had already decided to send the rest of her people to new lives in the future if that became necessary."
"Then it was her power that deprived Atana of his memory," Usagi said.
"At least in part," Pluto confirmed. "And her majesty's power also made it very difficult for the prince's pursuers to find him."
"So, is the Dark Kingdom still pursuing him in this era?" Usagi asked. "Did Beryl know about her shadow demon following Atana-san?"
Pluto shook her head. "There is no indication that the Dark Kingdom is still pursuing Prince Atana. And in the turmoil of being sealed away for a millennium, it is likely that Beryl assumed that particular shadow demon was a casualty of the fighting."
"But why did the shadow demon pursue Atana-san?" Ami asked. "Wouldn't the Dark Kingdom's primary objective have been to destroy the Moon Kingdom?"
"Yes, it was," Pluto said. "But I must assume the shadow demon's purpose was to prevent a potential counter-attack."
"And you're here because Atana-san did travel through time?" Usagi asked.
Pluto nodded. "It is my responsibility to protect time overall. And in this case, I had to make certain Prince Atana and Princess Kara found their way safely to the proper place in time."
"And now?" Usagi asked.
"My immediate task is now complete," Pluto said. "Prince Atana and Princess Kara have successfully found Princess Rei in her new life, and the timestream has been protected."
Luna stepped forward. "Sailor Pluto, can you aid us in our mission against the Dark Kingdom?"
Sailor Pluto sat silent for a moment. "I am afraid not, my lady. Unless there is a significant threat to the proper flow of time, my role requires that I remain uninvolved."
"But..." Luna started to protest.
Usagi leaned forward. "No, Luna. Pluto is correct. We all have our roles to fill, and it is not our place to ask her to go against hers."
Pluto nodded. "Thank you, your highness... And now I should be on my way."
"Thank you for meeting with us," Usagi said.
"You're welcome." Pluto rose to her feet. "Good day." She then faded away.
The Senshi looked at each other.
"Well, I guess it's good to know Atana and Kara are no longer in danger," Makoto said. "But she wasn't much help for our primary problem."
"I doubt she really could have been much help with the Dark Kingdom," Ryo said. "If I understood her correctly, she could only really get involved if something threatened the normal course of events... and apparently your fight with the Dark Kingdom is supposed to happen."
"That sounds quite likely," Artemis agreed. "And on the subject of the Dark Kingdom, I think we've found a way to access their dimension. I just need to do a little more checking."
"How long before you know?" Usagi asked.
"Probably a few days," Artemis said.
Usagi nodded. "Just be careful, Artemis."
"I will be," he said.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
After their meeting, they had spent some time studying. At Rei's suggestion, each of the girls had taken some time to help teach Kara some words in Japanese. Just as they were all getting ready to leave, the new cell phone which Atana had given Rei rang.
Rei picked up the phone and pressed the button. "Hello."
"Hi, beautiful," Atana said.
"Hi. What's up?" Rei asked.
"Is that Daddy?" Kara asked excitedly.
"Yes, honey. Just a minute," Rei said to her. "Where are you?" she asked Atana.
"My appointments are running late, I'm afraid. I'm not going to be able to make it back until later," he said. "Could I ask a big favor and have you take care of Kara tonight?"
"Of course," Rei said. "I'd be happy to."
"Thanks, darling. I really appreciate it," he said. "If you could get her dinner, then a bath, and put her to bed by nine..."
"I think I can manage that," Rei said, knowing her grandfather would be perfectly willing to let her stay at Atana's apartment again in a situation like this.
"I want to talk!" Kara called.
"Kara, calm down," Rei said softly. She then handed her the phone.
"Hi, Daddy," Kara said.
"Hi, honey," Atana said.
"Are you going to be home soon?" Kara asked.
"No, honey. I'm going to be late," Atana said. "Rei is going to look after you tonight. Can you be good for her?"
"Sure, Daddy," Kara said with a grin. "I really like it when Rei is there."
"I'm glad, honey. And I love you. Now you be good for her," Atana said. "Will you give me back to Rei, please?"
"I love you, Daddy," Kara called. She then handed the phone back to Rei.
"Hi," Rei said.
"Are you sure you can handle her?" Atana asked.
"I think so," Rei said. "It should be fun. And I really do like being with her."
"Thanks, darling. I love you," Atana said.
"I love you too," Rei answered. "Bye."
"Good bye," Atana said.
Rei pressed the button on her phone, ending the call. The others were looking at her curiously.
"Atana's running late," she explained. "He's meeting with some of the archaeology professors from several universities in Yokohama."
Minako grinned. "So you've got 'mommy duty' tonight."
Makoto lightly slapped Minako's shoulder. "Minako-chan!"
Kara looked up them curiously, then tugged at Rei's sleeve. "Whose mommy was she talking about?" she asked in English.
Rei looked surprised, then realized Kara must have picked up that word in Japanese. "Uhm, Minako was making a joke," she explained. She could see Kara still didn't understand. "She meant that, ah, I would be acting, uhm, sort of, ah, like a mommy to you... for tonight, that is."
Kara nodded and smiled, then gave Rei a hug. Leaning closer, she whispered in Rei's ear. "Can I tell you a secret?"
Rei nodded.
Kara grinned, glancing back at the others then leaning closer. "I wish you could be my mommy."
Rei struggled for breath, feeling a tremendous pressure on her chest. She blinked her eyes quickly, before Kara could notice any tears, then pulled her close for another hug.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mamoru and Usagi walked down the steps from the Temple to the street.
"It looks like Rei's slipping into the mother role quite a bit faster than she might have anticipated," he said.
Usagi nodded. "I know. But that has to be her choice... and Atana's, of course. And in any case, I don't think I'm really in any position to say anything to her just now about taking her time, you know."
He smiled. "Yes, I know. But you still have no regrets, right?"
"None at all," she said happily. "I'm in love with the most wonderful man."
"And I'm in love with the most incredibly beautiful young woman," he said, pulling her into his arms and kissing her.
"I'm so happy I found you," she sighed.
"So am I," he agreed. "You are the best thing ever to happen to me."
They kissed again.
"Though it is nice you're not hitting me with flying shoes anymore," he added with a grin.
"Mamo-chan!" she protested. She quickly grinned, and giggled softly. "You know I never meant to do any of that."
"I know," he said.
He slipped his hand into hers and they resumed walking.
"Do you want to head home for a quiet dinner?" he asked.
She smiled up at him. "Sure... And maybe we could... retire early," she suggested.
"That sounds like fun," he said softly. "Although we both have some homework to do."
She sighed. "Yes. I know... But thanks to your help, I'm actually a little bit ahead in a couple of my subjects."
"I'm very proud of you, Usako," he said, gently squeezing her hand.
"I couldn't have done it without your help," she said.
"I'm glad I can help," he said. "You're are an incredible young woman, and you grow more beautiful and more wonderful each day, and I know I love you more than ever."
"I love you more than ever," she said softly.
They reached his car and he opened the door for her, then slipped into the driver's seat and started the engine.
"I was pleased at how readily the others agreed to help Rei teach Kara some Japanese," Usagi said.
Mamoru nodded. "You're all good friends. I'm sure they want to help out where they can."
"Yes," Usagi agreed. "They're very good friends. The best I could ask for."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Later that evening, Rei had taken Kara back to Atana's apartment, after having dinner at the Temple. Kara was now in the bathtub, with Rei crouched beside the tub.
"Did you enjoy yourself today?" Rei asked.
Kara nodded.
"Did you have fun with my grandfather?"
"He's silly," Kara giggled. "Did you know each of the trees has a name?"
Rei smiled. "Yes. Grandfather has been there a long time, and he says he's talked with just about every tree on the property." Actually, she knew he had meant the spirit within each tree, but she thought Kara might have trouble understanding that idea.
"I wanted to climb one of the trees, but he wouldn't let me," Kara said.
Rei nodded as she helped Kara wash her hair. "I know. He wouldn't let me climb the trees when I was your age either."
"How come?"
"He wanted to be sure I knew how to do it safely, and what to do if I fell, before he'd let me climb," Rei said.
"What to do if you fall?"
Rei nodded. "Have you seen people fall on a TV show?"
"Oh, yes," Kara said. "Daddy says they're just pretending."
"That's right. But those people have to learn how to do pretend falling," Rei said. "Grandfather knows how to fall without hurting himself, and he doesn't want to see someone climb those trees who doesn't know how to fall that way."
"Oh," Kara said softly.
Rei helped Kara finished rinsing off, then opened the drain. The little girl stood up and Rei helped her out of the tub, then wrapped her in a towel. Kara threw her arms around Rei and gave her a hug. Rei embraced the girl as she rubbed the towel over her.
"Do you use a hair dryer on your hair?" Rei asked.
Kara nodded. "But not too hot please."
"OK," Rei said, reaching for the dryer.
Kara sat there as Rei dried her hair, a bright smile on her face as she watched her in the mirror.
Rei switched off the dryer and finished brushing Kara's hair. As she did so, she suddenly recalled her mother doing the same for her. She crouched down next to Kara. "Did I do it right?"
Still smiling, Kara looked at Rei and nodded. "Thank you."
Rei and Kara returned to her bedroom, where Rei found a pair of the girl's pajamas.
"Not those," Kara said. "Daddy bought me a new nightie. Can I wear it, please?"
"Where is it?" Rei asked.
"In there, I think," Kara said, indicating the drawer.
Rei looked through the drawer, soon finding a pink nightie that still looked unworn. She pulled it out and unfolded it, finding it had a caricature of Sailor Mars on it. Kara giggled happily. "Was this your daddy's idea, or did you ask for this one?" Rei asked.
"I saw it and asked him for it," Kara said, still giggling.
"Well... I'm very honored, honey," Rei said.
She laid the nightie out on Kara's bed. After taking the girl's towel, Rei helped Kara slip on a pair of underpants. Kara raised her arms as Rei picked up the nightie again, letting Rei slip it on over her head.
"Do you like it?" Rei asked.
"Oh, yes," Kara said, nodding. "I like it because it has you on it."
Rei once again felt a tightness in her chest. She smiled and hugged Kara. "Thanks, honey... But that part is still our secret, OK?"
Kara nodded. "OK."
"Are you ready to go to bed now?" Rei asked.
"Can't I stay up with you for a little while? Please?" Kara embraced Rei snugly.
Rei sighed and glanced at the clock. "Well, maybe for a little while... but your father said you had to be in bed by nine."
"Thank you, Rei," Kara said happily, still embracing her.
They walked out to the living room. Rei switched on the television while Kara picked up a videotape.
"Would you play this one, please?" Kara asked.
"OK," Rei agreed, taking the tape. "You sit down on the couch, and I will be right back." She put the tape in the VCR and turned it on.
As the tape began to play, Rei went into Atana's bedroom and started to undress. After stripping down to just her panties, Rei retrieved one of Atana's shirts from the closet, slipping it on and buttoning it. She then returned to the living room, finding Kara was already looking quite sleepy. Rei sat down on the couch. Kara promptly moved over to her and laid her head in her lap. Rei gently brushed her fingers through the little girl's hair.
As Rei sat there with Kara's head in her lap, she again recalled being held this way by her own mother. At the same time, another memory of her past life surfaced, in which she was holding the infant Kara in her arms, gently rocking her to sleep. She could now hear Kara's soft, steady breathing, recognizing that the girl was asleep. Remaining still, Rei let Kara sleep. After several minutes, she reached for the remote, switching off Kara's video, and putting on the news, keeping the volume low.
Her fingers still very softly stroked through Kara's hair. Holding the girl, the enormity of it all once more settled in on her. It was still incredible to think that at only fourteen, she was effectively a mother. From a strict interpretation, Kara really wasn't hers. It was a fact that Rei had never been pregnant, wasn't old enough to have a four-year-old daughter, and hadn't even lost her virginity until just the night before. But she was the daughter of Rei's previous self, and the physical resemblance was unmistakable. Rei sighed. She still wasn't certain she was ready for all this. Yet, as she spent time with Kara, she could not deny her overwhelming feelings of attachment for the girl. She was regaining more and more memories of her past life, making her feelings for Kara only grow stronger. She took another long, slow breath. She loved Atana more than anything, and even as young as she was, already was certain she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. This girl asleep in her lap was a piece of Atana and her previous self, a sign of a love which she now remembered and which Atana still felt. Already, even without knowing the truth, Kara had happily adopted Rei as a mother figure in her life. Rei gently brushed a finger along the girl's cheek, and sighed again. She was now partly responsible for this young girl, and as much as she cared for Kara, the thought of that type of responsibility scared her.
Finally, she slipped Kara off her lap, then moved off the couch. Kara stirred slightly, but remained asleep.
Gently, Rei lifted Kara into her arms. The girl was a bit heavy for someone Rei's size, but she held her securely in her arms as Kara's head rested on her shoulder. Rei carried Kara into her room and set her down in her bed, pulling the covers up over her. Remaining beside the bed, Rei watched the girl sleep. She gently brushed a strand of hair out of Kara's face. "Good night, honey," she whispered.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Atana opened the door and stepped inside, seeing Rei lying on the couch. "Hi, beautiful. How was your evening?"
"It was fine," she said. "Kara and I had a great time."
"I'm glad," he said.
"How was your day?" she asked.
"A lot longer than I expected it to be," he sighed, sitting down next to her. "One of the professors was over four hours late, and then another meeting ran very long. If I'd known that would happen, I never would have gone."
"I thought you said it was important," she said.
"I thought it would be," he replied. "And my friend in Honolulu had encouraged me to go... But my contact with the Chiba Foundation had offered to find someone to stand in for me. I probably should have taken him up on the offer."
She began to massage his back. "I'm sorry it turned out like that."
He nodded. "Oh, that feels nice," he sighed.
She continued to massage his back, but remained silent.
He noticed her silence, and let his mind drift clear, finding he could sense her unease. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing," she said softly.
"Rei, please," he said. "I can feel that something's not right. Please, tell me what it is."
She sighed and nodded.
He turned where he sat and slipped his arms around her. "I love you, Rei. I want to help if I can."
She nodded again, sensing his own concern and caring.
"Was there a problem with Kara?" he asked.
"No... At least... it wasn't anything Kara did," she said softly. "Kara is wonderful... and so beautiful." Tears started to form in her eyes.
He leaned closer and kissed her. "Please tell me, darling."
"She said she wished I could be her mother," Rei said, her voice trembling.
He embraced her and kissed her again. "Is that a problem?"
Rei took a breath and wiped her eyes. "I'd love to be with you both," she said. "But the responsibility of being a mother... of sharing in raising her... I, I'm just not sure I'm ready for that."
He nodded, running a hand gently along her cheek. "I think I understand," he said. "Maybe we need to slow things down a bit?"
"I don't know," she sighed. "I mean... I just loved being with her today... and I couldn't bear not being with you... But suddenly, she seems to be accepting me as a mother... and I seem to be filling that role."
He smiled. "You've done an outstanding job so far, darling. And I couldn't bear not having you with me either."
She leaned against him and he gently enfolded her in his arms.
"It sounds like things are happening too fast," he suggested.
She remained silent for a long moment. "Maybe," she finally agreed.
"So, maybe we'd better slow things down," he said quietly. "Do you want to just head home?"
"No," she said firmly, starting to sit up. "I still want to be with you... and I'm afraid Kara wouldn't take it well if she expected me to be here in the morning and I wasn't."
He smiled, drawing her back into his embrace and kissing her cheek. "I love you," he said. "You are an exceptional young woman... And I can see how much you care for Kara."
She sighed and nodded. "She's very special."
"Just like her mother," he said.
"But that was a previous lifetime for me," she said. "I can remember some of it, but it wasn't me... not really."
"I understand," he said softly. "But I've felt a very powerful attraction to you from the moment I first saw you, and now that I've regained much of my memory, I can see there really isn't that much of a difference between you and your past self. In all the ways that really count, I think you're the same."
"Thank you," she said softly. "You're very special yourself... and I am very happy that we've found each other. I know we're meant to be together."
"Yes, we are," he agreed. "A part of me was in you and died when the Moon Kingdom was destroyed. That part of me was reborn with you."
"And a part of Princess Rei of Mars remained in you even after she died," she said softly.
He nodded. "And you needed that part of her just as much as I need the part of me that's in you... But how do you want us to deal with this?"
"I don't know," she said. "I wish I did... But I don't want to just cut myself off from you."
"I know. That would be terrible for all of us," he said. He held her in his arms, considering. "Let's try this. You'll continue to stay here when you can, but not on a full-time basis. And we'll try to make sure that most of your involvement with Kara will be when I'm with you. Maybe that will ease some of your concerns."
She thought over what he had said. "I... I guess so... But we may still have situations like this one."
"I know. And there may be times when you might pick her up after school," he said. "The best we can do is try to limit the cases where you could be caring for her on your own... But I think your apprehensions will pass as you get more used to it. And I want you to know that I'm here and will still be taking a prime role in her upbringing."
She nodded again, slowly beginning to relax as she leaned back against him. "Thanks... I love you so much."
"I love you," he said. "And I want you to be in my life and Kara's."
"That's what I want too."
He kissed her again. "Let's go look in on her, and then we can think about going to bed. OK?"
"Alright," she agreed.
As they rose to their feet, he took her in his arms and kissed her.< To be continued >
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NOTE: I've received comments from a few readers that the story is proceeding too slowly. I'm sorry they feel that way, but this story has quite a bit of ground to cover and it is moving steadily at the pace I've planned out for it. The bulk of the comments have been positive, so I can only assume most readers are able to stay with the current pacing. I am aware that some of the sex scenes are becoming a bit repetitive in general form. This is a creative issue I am struggling to resolve, but sexual interaction between lovers remains a key element of my writing, since I see that as a major expression of that love. If you don't care for that in general, or my descriptions in particular, I would suggest you skip over it. You will miss some elements of the story by doing so, but not enough to completely lose track of the story. Thanks to those who have responded, both positively and more critically. As always, most special thanks to my lovely wife, Hopeless Romantic, for all her help, input, and support. 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.
-07.05.2002