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 58 - Early Morning <
The sweet-scented air was cool and the sky still dark, with only the faintest glow of the coming dawn visible in the East. Waves rolled in softly, creating a steady background noise.
On the beach, far enough back to remain clear of the incoming waves, a small fire burned and a raven-haired young woman sat in front of it, her hands together over her chest, quietly reciting prayers in a language long forgotten.
As she went through her morning routine, Akari felt her inner peace returning. She leaned forward, feeling the fire adding to her own energy. Straightening up again, she finished her prayer and took a long, slow breath. Although this world had been her home in her most recent life, Akari could feel it to the depths of her being that she did not belong here in the realm of mortals anymore. The power of the ginzuishou was all that made it possible for her even to remain here in a physical form, but the balance of nature still pulled at her, trying to return her spirit to the realm beyond. She bowed again, bringing her forehead down to touch the sand, then began her next prayer, giving thanks for this opportunity to know her daughter, the man her daughter would marry, and the charming little girl who was her granddaughter. Emotion swelled within her as she prayed that Rei, Atana, and Kara know peace and happiness.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Geoff smiled as he gazed at the exquisitely beautiful vision asleep next to him. He loved waking up like this to find her there beside him. Watching her, he wondered what this young woman he loved so much was dreaming about. He knew he could never tire of this simple pleasure.
Another part of him was waking up as well, and he involuntarily shifted position. Minako mumbled softly and rolled closer to him, her hand brushing across his swelling penis. She mumbled again as her hand lightly grasped his shaft.
As she slowly rose out of sleep, a part of her thought she was dreaming. Suddenly, her eyes popped open as she realized just what she was feeling. She looked into his face, her hand still holding his penis, and smiled. "Someone woke up in a good mood," she said quietly, a grin spreading across her face.
"I am but a poor mortal caught under the spell of the matchless beauty of Venus," he said.
She giggled and shook her head. "I'm caught up too, hopelessly in love with you, you wonderful man."
He leaned closer and kissed her lips. "I didn't mean to wake you."
Her grin grew still larger. "I don't mind a wake up call like this," she said, caressing his hardness.
He sighed as her hand slid over him. His lips pressed to hers once more, his tongue brushing softly over her lip. One hand cupped her breast, his fingers stroking the soft, firm flesh.
She groaned into their kiss as his fingertips brushed across her nipple.
"I love you," he whispered.
"I love you," she replied.
Sliding down, he seized the firm bud of her nipple in his mouth, suckling it fiercely, while running his free hand down over her abdomen. As she moaned softly, his fingers slid through the soft, thin golden covering of her pubic mound and then across the moistness of her nether lips.
Minako sighed with delight as his fingers slipped through her opening. Suddenly, as he pressed his lips hard over her nipple, he plunged two fingers deep into her channel. Her body shook and she gasped sharply. In just a moment, he repeated the move. "Oh yes! Yes!" she cried. His fingers continued to thrust into her, caressing her insides with each motion and sweeping her steadily higher. As he pulled back, he brushed her jewel, sending an intense shock of raw ecstasy through nerves already on fire with intense passion. Before she could do more than gasp, he drove his fingers deep into her once more. "Oh gods! Yes!"
He swept his tongue over her nipple, then resumed suckling it. His beautiful, incredibly sexy young fiancee's body bucked and shook as he thrust his fingers within her, feeling her inner muscles squeezing around him. As he buried his fingers deep inside her, he rubbed his thumb over her jewel.
She clenched her eyes shut and cried out, consumed by the full, overwhelming power of orgasm that filled her with intense joy, while leaving her hungering for still more. "Oh, my love," she sighed, a broad smile spreading across her face as he moved over her.
"Is this what you want, honey?" he asked with a grin, lowering himself between her spread legs.
"What do you think?" she asked in reply. She slid her hands along his back, suddenly feeling the exquisite sensation of his swollen tip spreading her open. As she sighed with anticipation, he pushed forward, burying his warm, bulging manhood deep inside her. "Oh, yes," she groaned.
He kissed her as he held still, enjoying the matchless feel of being fully enveloped in her warm, tight, loving embrace. After just a moment, he pulled back, falling into a slow, driving pace, thrusting deep into her with each motion.
She gasped repeatedly, loving every bit of it as their two bodies were melded together as one by the full power of their love for each other. Her arms enfolded him, holding him close as he moved above her.
"I love you," he whispered breathlessly.
He plunged forward powerfully, turning her reply into just a cry of passion. Another thrust, and she soared to her peak once more, clinging to him. "OOOOOHHHH, YES!"
Geoff kissed her again, knowing he never wanted to be apart from this incredible young woman. As their lips separated, he was already thrusting forward once more, feeling his own peak approaching fast. He groaned, struggling to hold on to his control.
"Oh, gods!" she cried, as he plunged into her still harder, taking her breath away. "Yes!... Oh, yes!" The bed shook beneath them, while her insides blazed ever hotter as he thrust forward again and again. She gasped for breath, already on the brink once more. His wildly throbbing mass swelled within her as it plunged deep. She cried out wordlessly, caught in the full, matchless power of orgasm once more, as he reached his own climax, sending a powerful surge of his warm seed deep into her.
"Oh, my Venus," he groaned, feeling entirely spent as his body began to go limp.
"I love you, you wonderful man," she sighed, still holding him tightly.
"I love you, Mrs. Kelley," he whispered, kissing her cheek.
She sighed again and kissed him in return, absolutely loving it when he called her that. He made her happier than she had ever been and she was overjoyed to know she would be spending the rest of her life with him. Finally, he began to move, gently slipping himself out of her. As he lay down next to her, she snuggled close, resting her head on his chest.
"Enjoy your wake up call?" he asked softly.
"Oh, yes," she sighed. "Just wonderful, my love."
"You are wonderful," he whispered, softly caressing her back.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
In the half light of pre-dawn, Makoto jogged along the narrow track from the fields that made up the back portion of Atana's property. She enjoyed this sort of early morning workout. Passing the bungalows, she saw no sign that anyone else was up yet.
She turned, jogging toward the stream, then followed it down a gentle slope to the shore. As she reached the tidal pool, she saw Shinozaki waiting there.
"Good morning, beautiful," he called.
"You didn't have to get up," she said, taking several deep breaths as she waited for her heart rate to slow.
"I wanted to," he said. He reached into a bag sitting on the ground next to him. "Can I offer you water or coffee?"
"Water would be great," she said, accepting the small plastic bottle from him. "Thanks, darling."
He grinned, stepping closer. "It is my pleasure to help such a beautiful young woman."
"Flatterer." She opened the bottle and took a drink. "But you are very good to me... and very handsome and sexy." She grinned at him.
"I only aim to please," he said, stepping closer.
"You certainly do that," she said.
He slid his arms around her and kissed her.
"Oh, please," Makoto protested. "I'm all sweaty."
"I don't mind," Shinozaki said. "Besides, we can easily fix that, you know." His hands grasped the waist of her shorts and began sliding them down.
"Shinozaki!" she cried softly, but made no real move to stop him. In only a moment, he had her shorts and her panties down around her ankles. He then lifted her shirt and again she made no effort to stop him, finding herself already yearning for his touch. His hands slid around her back, quickly unfastening her bra and freeing her full young breasts from their confinement. "Oh, darling," she whispered.
"I love you so much," he said, kissing her deeply and passionately.
As they kissed, she pulled his shirt free from his pants and started sliding it up. He stepped back and she pulled the shirt off, then reached for his pants. With a sure motion, she opened his pants and slid them down.
He kicked off his shoes, then stepped out of his pants and boxers. They embraced again, kissing. Her hands swept over his back as their naked bodies pressed together.
Makoto finally got her shoes off, then slipped off her shorts and panties.
He pushed her back toward the tidal pool, and they tumbled into the water with a splash.
She gasped for breath as they came back up. "Did you plan this?" she asked accusingly.
"Of course," he said, laughing and running his hands over her body. "What better than to get my beautiful, sexy girlfriend naked in a tidal pool?"
She found his laughter contagious, embracing him snugly. "I do love you," she sighed.
"I love you," he said.
She moaned softly as his hands swept slowly and lovingly over her breasts. He embraced her again, and their lips came together, tongues probing sensuously. Though she had reservations about doing this out in the open, she couldn't deny the incredible happiness she felt in his arms. She pulled on him with her arms and moaned into their kiss.
He sighed happily. The cool water had caused his erection to fade, but the feel of her warm body rubbing against him quickly restored it. As he lowered them into the water, he could feel her strong legs sliding up around his thighs. He kissed her again and rocked his hips forward, quickly bringing his swollen tip to her nether lips. She grinned down at him, feeling it too, and in only a moment, thrust herself down on him, taking his mass deep within her.
"Oh, yes," she groaned, knowing she would never tire of joining herself this way with her best friend and soul-mate.
Flushed with joy himself, he rocked up through his hips to meet her movements, taking care to stay low enough in the water to let it support them. Their lips came together. "I love you, Mako-chan," he whispered.
She nodded, crying out softly in purest delight.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Akari remained on the beach, sitting in front of her small fire. She was finding a renewed harmony with the world around her and her senses were expanding again as she focused on the fire. All around her, she could sense the powerful emanations of myriad living things. A smile crossed her face. This was what she and her generation of Sailor Soldiers had fought to defend, and now the current generation had just succeeded in defeating one of the most dangerous threats to all that existed. She was happy to be here at this particular moment with her own daughter and the children of her best friends.
She sensed movement nearby. Turning, she saw Luna walking down the slope. "Good morning, my lady councilor," Akari called, instinctively falling into old habits. "Forgive me, Luna... That form is as out of date as my own royal title."
Luna nodded. "That is quite all right, Akari," she said. "You are still adjusting to this time."
"Thank you, Luna," Akari said.
Luna moved closer, gazing at the fire. "Is the fire just for warmth, or are you looking for future events?"
Akari was puzzled for a moment, then shook her head. "The ability to see into the future is my daughter's talent, not mine I'm afraid. I have always found the fire a useful focusing aid for meditation and prayers."
"I see," Luna said.
"And it has been my custom to do both meditation and prayers just before dawn," Akari added.
Luna nodded. "I hope I did not interrupt you."
"Oh, no. I've pretty much finished," Akari said. "Right now, I'm just enjoying the feel of the morning as all the life around us reacts to it."
"Well, I'm looking for Artemis," Luna said, starting to move toward Atana's cave.
"Uhm, I would recommend you not go that way just now, Luna," Akari said. "If I'm not mistaken, Makoto and her young man are around the point, and I suspect they would prefer privacy just now."
Luna sighed and shook her head. "Those girls," she muttered. "Sometimes, they're as irresponsible as that lazy-bones."
Akari looked at her quizzically. "Irresponsible? How? By wanting to spend time with those they love?"
Luna looked up at Akari. "They are Sailor Senshi. They have special responsibilities. One threat is over, but another could surface. They have to be ready. They don't have time for such flighty nonsense."
" 'Flighty nonsense?' Luna, they're all young women... and unlike in their previous lives, they're not princesses with a public duty to be guardians," Akari said. "They've just been through the most serious threat faced by any group of Sailor Soldiers for several generations. It's only natural that they would want to relax and find some type of normalcy in their lives again. And all humans need people to love and to love them."
"That's all fine and well," Luna said. "When we have that luxury."
"It's not a luxury, Luna. It's a necessity for all people," Akari said. "Didn't you ever have someone special? I know your people came from another world, but those I knew at the court of the Moon Kingdom seemed to have mates."
Luna shook her head, remaining silent.
Akari leaned closer. "Forgive me, Luna, but what was your responsibility in Queen Serenity's government?"
The black cat sighed, taking a long moment to sort through the cobwebs of her memory. "I was a member of Her Majesty's interplanetary relations committee for about two years, and I taught for a term at the Royal Lunar University. As I recall, I arrived at the Queen's court with a reputation as being quite brilliant in the field. Then, the Queen's senior policy advisor suddenly resigned... I don't recall why... and I was appointed... promoted over a number who were considerably more senior. Later, I think I was supposed to start involving Princess Serenity in the Queen's councils, but the Dark Kingdom invasion of Earth put an end to all that."
"So, you had no active experience in training the Sailors?" Akari asked.
"Only in the last few weeks," Luna acknowledged. "And I had a lot of other responsibilities then too."
"What about Artemis?"
Luna scowled for a moment. "Well... Artemis was the Queen's chief military auditor. His job was to weigh the conflicting advice she received from different quarters and help her determine the true merits of each proposal. Before that, I believe he worked in special training. I know he did a little bit of field work when it became clear the Dark Kingdom's invasion of Earth could not be stopped, but I'm not entirely sure about before then. In the last few months, we were working together almost continuously since just about everything was a military matter by then."
"So... how did you draw the assignment of finding and reorganizing the Sailor Soldiers in this era?" Akari asked. "It sounds like Artemis might have some experience, but your place seemed to have been in the Queen's councils."
"It was," Luna admitted. "But there weren't that many of us. Only a few dozen. And those with field experience either were lost on missions to Earth during the invasion, or in the final attack. At the very end, the cities of the Moon, and the palace, were in ruins, and our forces had been shattered. Artemis and I were the only ones left of the Queen's advisors and ministers, whether human or not."
"So that's why you were sent?"
Luna shook her head. "I doubt it. Queen Serenity ordered Artemis and I to stay with her. I know Artemis wanted to join the fight like most of the others. So, I have to suspect she'd made her selection before the attack actually started."
Akari sighed, having never been through an even remotely similar situation. "When did you learn?"
Luna laughed, tilting her head ironically. "Truthfully? Only after I awoke in Tokyo with no memory of the past, just a knowledge that I had to find the Sailor Senshi and the princess."
"And they had no memory either?" Akari asked.
"That's right," Luna confirmed. "To start with, they actually knew less than Artemis and I did, and we didn't know very much."
Akari nodded. "In their past lives, just as I was in mine, they were trained for this almost from birth. But that's not the case in this life. Remember, like them I've also lived the life of a normal woman in the 20th century. Girls their age are not prepared for anything like this."
"That was the task Artemis and I were given, to prepare them for this," Luna said. "If I'd had better help, they might have made better progress."
"Luna!" Akari interrupted. "How can you say they haven't made progress? No other princess of the Moon ever achieved such mastery of the ginzuishou so young as Usagi has. And considering their powers only manifested themselves a few months ago, it is almost totally unheard of that the Sailor Soldiers have reached the second level of their powers so quickly. It took me... let's see.. almost two Earth-years to achieve the second level."
Luna looked at her in surprise.
"That's right. It doesn't usually happen so fast," Akari said. "Perhaps your expectations are just a bit high. The instructors my generation worked with would have been stunned by such progress. And finally, Luna, they've met the task they were sent here for. Metallia has been destroyed, and without any lasting impact on the Earth or its people."
Luna sighed and nodded.
"Now, they want to see their lives return to some degree of normalcy," Akari continued. "And after what they've been through, they each need someone they can share this with."
"But they're still very young," Luna said.
"Sailor Soldiers have regularly fallen in love young," Akari said. "And I was intimate with Rei's father when I was the age she is now. The job forces us to grow up so much faster than normal, creating a need for emotional bonds and support that simple friendship just can't provide. Be thankful they've found such exceptional young men, Luna. Otherwise, the responsibilities you've had to throw on them, and the dangers they've had to face, might well have destroyed them."
Luna sighed again, having never considered it in this way. "Uhm... Thank you for sharing this with me," she finally said. "But now, if you'll excuse me? I seem to have quite a bit to think over."
"Certainly, Luna," Akari said. "But there is one more thing. The Sailor Soldiers aren't the only ones who need to relax after a hard campaign. I think Artemis understands that, but you need some time for yourself as well."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Makoto sighed in blissful satisfaction as she and Shinozaki embraced in the water. She kissed him softly. "I love you," she whispered.
"I love you," he replied, kissing her in return.
"We should head back," she said. "Did you bring towels with you?"
He nodded. "Of course I did." He kissed her again, then stood up, climbing out of the water and retrieving the bag he had brought with him. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he pulled out a hand towel and held it up. "How's this?"
She glared at him, then laughed. "If you want to walk back to the bungalow in just that, darling, I certainly won't complain." She rose to her feet and moved toward him.
He smiled, admiring the sight of his naked girlfriend, her dripping wet body glistening in the early light of dawn. Reaching into the bag, he removed two larger towels, handing her one.
"Thank you," she said, taking it from him.
After he had dried himself off and wrapped the towel around his waist, he collected their clothes, putting them in the bag. He turned back to see her wrapping the towel around herself.
"A little short," she muttered.
"I don't see a problem," he said, smiling sweetly as his eyes ran along the full length of her thigh.
"I'm sure you wouldn't," she said.
He moved closer and took her in his arms. "Well, if there's a problem you could always take it off," he suggested.
She glared at him. "You are terrible... You're just lucky I love you so much."
He kissed her lips. "Yes. I give thanks every day for enjoying the love of the most wonderful and sexiest girl ever."
She smiled, kissing him. "And you are the most wonderful boy," she whispered.
"Let's head back," he said softly. "Before we wind up back in the tidal pool again."
She chuckled softly. "Are you planning to drag me back to bed again?"
"Would you object?"
"Not at all, darling. Not at all," she said, grinning.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ami felt the soft familiar touch of Ryo's lips on her cheek. She sighed happily and her eyes slowly opened.
"Good morning, my beautiful girl genius," he said.
"Good morning, darling," she said, not fully awake.
"Sleep well?" he asked.
She nodded, wondering why he was up so early.
"I have a surprise for you," Ryo said.
She opened her eyes fully and looked to see him standing next the bed in his bathrobe, now holding a wooden tray with legs. "What's this?" she asked.
"Breakfast in bed," he said with a grin.
"What did I do to deserve this?" she asked, sitting up.
"You're just the most wonderful girl ever," he said, setting the tray down in front of his naked girlfriend.
She looked down at the simple meal of eggs, toast, and tea, then looked back up at him. "You are wonderful," she said, picking up the napkin. "You're going to spoil me."
He grinned. "I'll take my chances. I'm much more concerned with making sure you never forget how much I love you."
She giggled. "I don't think you need to worry about that, darling. And I love you more than anything."
He sat down next to her on the bed, taking care not to disturb her tray. "I love you," he said, kissing her cheek, then watching as she started to eat.
"It's very good," she said.
"I'm glad you like it," he said.
"You are so good to me," she said.
He smiled and kissed her cheek again. "I love you," he repeated.
She nodded and smiled. "Aren't you eating anything?"
"I have a plate waiting in the kitchen," he said. "But I wanted to bring you your breakfast first." He carefully rose to his feet.
Her eyes followed him as he walked back to their bungalow's small kitchen, flushed with the warmth of love and happiness. He returned, sitting down on his side of the bed. She took a sip of her tea and smiled. He was now a completely integral part of her life, just as she knew she was a part of his. She had never had another boyfriend, either in this life or the previous one, but could no longer imagine not living with him on a full-time basis, regardless of their age.
Ryo glanced over at Ami as they ate, knowing he loved her more than anything. Now that the Dark Kingdom was defeated, he was beginning to have flashes of their future. There would be new threats that would call the Sailor Senshi back into action, but every indication seemed to be that he and Ami would remain together. For that, he was exceedingly happy.
When they had finished, he cleared away the dishes. Returning from the kitchen, he dropped off his robe and slipped back into bed alongside her.
With a grin, she snuggled closer, draping herself partially over him, and kissing his lips. "I love you," she sighed.
He enfolded her in his arms, kissing her in return. "I love you."
As their kiss grew more passionate, she slid a hand down to take hold of his rapidly hardening manhood. Finding herself unable to resist as arousal swelled inside her with surprising speed and intensity, she hurriedly moved astride him.
"Ami?" His question died as she suddenly plunged herself down, enveloping his penis in her warm, moist embrace. He ran his hands up along her sides, groaning as she began to move.
"Oh, yes!" she groaned, consumed with purest delight at being joined with him once more.
His hands swept over her small breasts while she thrust up and down on his swollen shaft. She gasped repeatedly with the joy of being filled so perfectly with his mass and her nerves on fire with the most incredible raw pleasure. As she continued to move, she rapidly soared to orgasm, crying out in love and ecstasy. He pressed his lips to her nipple as she resumed her fast, driving pace. With each thrust, she tightened her inner muscles around his penis, feeling it throbbing within her. On and on they went, their conjoined bodies moving as one. Finally, no longer having any concept of time, they reached climax together, her body locking up in white-hot carnal joy while he flooded his seed deep into her with a powerful spasm.
"Ooooohhh, yes," she sighed, gazing down at him lovingly.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered.
Ami lay down over him, kissing him. "You are the most wonderful boy... And you make me soooo happy."
"You make me happy," he said. "I'm so glad we've found each other."
"So am I, darling." She then giggled softly. "And not just for the great sex."
He chuckled and nodded. "That's a very pleasant bonus."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rei stood out on the deck, wearing one of Atana's shirts. He emerged behind her, wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and slipped his arms around her.
"Enjoying the view?" he asked.
She nodded, remaining silent.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"No," she said with a sigh, but knew he could tell as well as she could that it wasn't really true. "Well... I... I've been thinking... I mean, I know we can't stay here much longer..."
"Are you concerned about that?" he asked.
She turned around and embraced him tightly. "While we're here I can openly be your wife and Kara's mother... When we go back to Tokyo... I'll have to give that up."
He nodded, running a hand over her back. "I know," he said softly. "But we knew this was coming."
She looked up at him. "I guess I never expected to get into the habit so quickly."
He smiled, then leaned down and kissed her. "You're a natural at it, my darling."
She pressed her face to his chest. "I'm happier with you than I've ever been... With both of you."
"And I'm so happy with you," he said. "I've gotten into the habit too. I really like having you here with us full time... falling asleep next to you, and waking up with you there." He turned her face back up toward his, and kissed her again. "And I know Kara loves having her mother back."
She sighed and nodded, feeling tears beginning to form.
"But having you in our lives just part-time is better than not at all," Atana continued. "I had to live without you for four years, and I don't want to go through that again."
"Neither do I," she said. "I've found a part of myself I hadn't even really known was missing."
Just then, they heard the sound of running feet.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Kara cried excitedly, dashing out onto the deck wearing her Sailor Mars nightie. She threw her arms around both of them.
Atana crouched down and picked up the little girl. "Did you sleep well, honey?"
Kara nodded, giving him a hug.
Rei ran a hand along the girl's back and kissed her cheek.
"I love you, Mommy," Kara said, smiling brightly.
"I love you, honey," Rei said.
"And I love my two favorite women," Atana said. "Now, how about we go make breakfast?"
Kara grinned and nodded, then kissed her father's cheek.
Rei smiled, again realizing just how happy she was to enjoy the pleasures of family.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Usagi grumbled as she stepped into the bathroom. "My hair is growing like crazy, and every place I don't want it to." She leaned close to the mirror, studying her chin.
"The book said this would happen," Mamoru said, referring to the pregnancy guide he had bought her. "Your body's changing its hormone production."
"I know," she said sullenly. "But it's not fair that I wind up with a thicker beard than my future husband."
He moved behind his naked fiancee and looked into the mirror. "It's nowhere near that bad, Usako," he said, rubbing his own stubble.
She shook her head. "It might as well be," she muttered, running her fingers over the golden stubble that was starting to appear there. She then glanced down at her legs, which were also bristly. "At least I'm supposed to have hair on my legs... It's just never been so bad before."
He nodded, kissing her cheek. "I'm afraid it's just one of those things you'll have to put up with."
Her eyes suddenly lit up with an idea. She focused her concentration, and the ginzuishou appeared over her chest. "Maybe I don't have to," she said with a grin.
"What are you planning?" he asked.
"With the crystal I can stop the parts of it I don't like," she said.
"Usako," he cautioned. "Remember what happened when you first discovered the crystal's power to fulfill wishes?"
She hesitated, a frown crossing her face.
"Growing hair in places you don't care for is just a symptom of things that need to happen as you go through pregnancy," he said.
"But Mother said the crystal won't harm the baby," she said.
"Not directly," he said. "But if you do something that unintentionally upsets your hormone balance, the crystal might not catch that. Do you really want to take that chance?"
"No," she said softly. "Definitely not."
He kissed her again.
She smiled at him. "But I could deaden the roots, so the hair won't grow there," she said. "I've seen ads for places that do that, so there can't be anything wrong with it."
He took hold of her hand. "We tend to think of hair as an accessory today, especially for women... but we have hair for a reason, Usako. Some of it might be obsolete, like scent conduction, since human beings don't rely on scent that much... but it's also there as part of the body's temperature control mechanism... not so much to keep us warm, but to help in getting rid of excess body heat. I guess there isn't a serious reason for you not to do it if you want to, but those clinics you've heard about do it mostly for vanity reasons."
She sighed and nodded. "But you remember what happened before you bought me that electric razor, Mamo-chan. I had nicks and scratches all over my legs."
"I remember," he said.
"And sometimes the electric razor irritates my skin," she added.
He nodded again in understanding. "Well, that's something you have to decide. The crystal gives you some alternatives most people don't have, but you just need to be careful about how you do it."
She sat down on the edge of the tub, considering.
"Is it mostly that you don't like shaving?" he asked.
She looked up and nodded. "And I don't like the feel of it when it gets bristly."
"Well, I'm afraid the bristly part goes with shaving, since it will grow back sooner or later," he said. "Maybe you could use the crystal's energy in place of a razor blade. It should be able to remove the hair a lot better, and it shouldn't hurt."
She nodded again, still considering. Finally, she reached a decision and the crystal glowed, washing its energy over her. At once, the golden stubble vanished from her chin. Next, a glowing ribbon of energy swept down over her legs, melting away the stubble there, leaving her flesh completely smooth. She ran a hand along her leg. "Much better," she sighed. "I wish I'd thought of this before."
"As long as you're happy, Usako."
She smiled up at him. "You take care of that, my wonderful prince," she said. "You make me happier than I've ever been."
"I'm glad, my beautiful princess," he said. "You are everything to me."
"I love you so much," she said.
She slid a hand along the slight swell of her abdomen, finding more hair just beginning to sprout below her navel. The crystal pulsed in response, and a small ribbon of energy swept slowly over her lower abdomen. She watched as it moved lower, washing away the hair. As it moved lower, she let it continue toward her pubic mound. Here too her hair was growing thicker, but here she had particularly sensitive skin. She had tried shaving here once, but spent the next week itching terribly both from a rash that had broken out and as the hair grew back. She had also heard that some guys really liked the shaved look, although Mamoru had never mentioned it. The ribbon of energy moved through her pubic hair, quickly sweeping it away. She ran a finger over the now bare flesh as the crystal's glow faded. Unlike her previous experiment, there was no burning sensation making the flesh too tender to touch. Likewise, the faint itching she had been enduring the last several days was also gone. She grinned, quickly deciding this was a definite improvement.
"Usako?" he asked, a bit surprised she had gone that far.
"I just used it in place of shaving," she said.
"Did you mean to remove hair even there?"
She giggled and stood up, spreading her legs slightly. "Do you like it, Mamo-chan?"
"I love the whole package," he said, moving toward her. "But you certainly didn't have to do that for me."
She nodded. "I know. It was getting a little itchy, and I can't shave there. I think it's a real improvement." Through their link she could sense his sincerity in saying he didn't care if she was shaved or not.
"Well, that's what counts, my princess."
She ran a hand along his cheek. "You need it too." She grinned and the crystal glowed, sending a ribbon of energy sweeping along his face and neck. As the glow faded, she caressed his cheek again, this time finding it completely smooth. "Oooohhhh, much better," she sighed, letting the crystal vanish.
"I'm glad you approve," he said, running a hand along her arm.
She slid her arms around him, pressing herself against his naked body, and kissed his lips. "I love you so much, Mr. Chiba," she said.
He smiled, enfolding this incredibly beautiful young woman in his arms. "I love you, Mrs. Chiba."
Their lips came together once more, tongues dancing deeply and passionately.
"I thought you wanted breakfast," she said breathlessly, as his hands swept over her.
He crouched down and scooped her up in his arms. She gasped in surprise, throwing her arms around his neck. "Breakfast can wait," he said, carrying her back into their bedroom. "Right now, I want my incredibly beautiful and very sexy princess."
She grinned, giggling softly. "Oh yes, my gorgeous prince."
He set her down on the bed and again kissed her deeply, warmed by the indescribable power of their love. Her crescent moon was glowing brightly and their link growing steadily deeper.
She sighed with delight, aglow with love, in the arms of the man she loved.< To be continued >
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NOTE: I think you can guess what comes next for Mamoru and Usagi. No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. Hopeless Romantic and I have both been exceptionally busy over the last month or so, and I've also been struggling with a bit of a dry spell. 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.
-03.28.2003