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 79 - The Second Chance <

       Akari felt like she was tumbling as the combined energy of the ginzuishou and the golden crystal swirled around her. She seemed to be reliving her life as Rika.
       She experienced the turmoil of her failed marriage to Hino Tadamichi. Only three months into their marriage, she discovered she was pregnant. His only reaction to the news was that it was very inconvenient timing; a general election had just been called and he intended to tour the country to campaign for his party's candidates, hoping to build a base for a future leadership campaign. Since he clearly had no intent to be present to offer her support during her pregnancy, she moved back to the temple with her father, where she would have dependable help. Somehow, during this period, she was growing increasingly certain that her relationship with him had already come to an end. Tadamichi, even after the election, never came to see her, being focused on securing a position as one of the current party leader's top deputies. Several months after Rei's birth, she finally went to see him. Her upbringing made her unwilling to simply abandon her role as wife, even though he had abandoned his as husband. She surprised him in his Tokyo apartment, where she found him with another woman. She immediately seized one of the swords on his wall and advanced on him. It was the only time to that point she had ever seen him looking scared, while his bimbo cowered in abject terror. Finally, she embedded the sword in a wall, angrily telling him their marriage was over and never to cross her again. The next day, she contacted a lawyer. Tadamichi used his political influence to block her attempts to obtain a divorce, but only because of his concern as to how it might affect his political fortunes. He still made no effort to involve himself in her life or Rei's, except for an occasional demand for them to appear with him at public events, but these demands quickly stopped when she made it clear she would not be silent with the reporters. Instead, she resolved to wait him out, knowing that since he was not offering the least degree of financial support, she would eventually be able to make a claim of abandonment.
       One morning, she awoke feeling a bit out of sorts. Being busy, she tried to ignore it, but even her meditation before the sacred fire was telling her something wasn't normal. Contrary to how things had really gone, after about two weeks she accepted a friend's advice that she go see her doctor. Since her mother had died of cancer, her doctor, after an initial physical had found nothing in particular, began a series of tests that identified the early stages of cancer. The treatment, though leaving her physically weak, was successful.
       During her treatment and recovery, she kept a journal of her experiences. From this, she would write a novel, telling the story of the estranged wife of a workaholic business executive, where the woman had to raise her daughter and confront her illness entirely on her own, while the executive chose to devote his attentions to his mistresses and his quest for a promotion instead of his gravely ill wife. Tadamichi reacted in outrage to the book, which the media quickly identified as a thinly fictionalized indictment of him. The book made her something of a celebrity among proponents of women's rights in Japan, and gave her financial security. Very shortly after the book came out, however, Tadamichi's campaign for the leadership of his party collapsed because of a financial scandal, leaving him in political disgrace. Knowing that his political influence was gravely weakened, she seized her chance to press her case for a decree of divorce on the grounds of abandonment, and for sole custody of Rei. Despite Tadamichi's objections, the fact that he had not supported either of them in the slightest made it inevitable that the court would rule in her favor. Along with the divorce decree, she changed her family name back to Hirano. She considered changing Rei's name as well, but that would involve another legal fight with Tadamichi and could possibly allow him to get his exclusion from custody reopened.
       Since that time, she continued to live with her father, enjoying the spiritual peace of the temple. She declined to become a lecturer for women's issues, letting her book speak for her. While assisting her father as a miko, she continued to write, publishing four more books. These were a series of novels centering around a teenaged girl who worked as a miko. Borrowing the common Japanese concept of a miko with some degree of supernatural powers, she told stories of this girl trying to help her friends without exposing herself as being 'different', even though her friends already assumed she was. These grew out of some of her own memories of growing up, where some of her own classmates had regarded her as different, and from stories she was telling Rei to help her learn about her own special abilities. The finished novels became popular among girls all across Japan, being praised for creating a strong, independent-minded character as a role model for teenaged girls.
       As her 'new life' caught up with the present, she began to become aware of her past life through a series of dreams. From these, she was shocked to find she recognized something about Usagi and Ami when they first visited the temple. This unleashed a torrent of memories, quickly making her aware that these girls were Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury, respectively, and that Rei was meant to assume the mantle of Sailor Mars. At the same time, a small remnant of her own former powers awoke, further expanding her already enhanced senses.
       Though she was naturally very concerned whenever Rei had to fight as Sailor Mars, she kept her own knowledge a secret until she sensed the reappearance of the ginzuishou. Only then did she confess the truth to Rei and the others. She couldn't contribute anything in particular to their actual fights against the Dark Kingdom, but as a former Sailor Senshi, she did help Luna and Artemis with training. When Atana and Kara appeared, she knew no more than any of the others, given that as Akari she hadn't lived to meet him; like the others, she immediately recognized the pronounced resemblance between Rei and Kara, and assumed there must be a connection. She was as surprised as everyone else to learn that Kara was Rei's daughter, but was still very happy for her. When the girls and their mates went to Hawaii to avoid the Dark Kingdom trap, she reluctantly went with them; Artemis and Atana were both concerned that enough of her own power from her previous life had awakened in her that it could activate the Dark Kingdom's trap.
       Following their return to Tokyo, she consented to Rei moving in with Atana, knowing that was where she belonged. Soon afterward, however, Tadamichi finally decided it was once again politically useful to be a father. Tadamichi proved persistant, and Ami's boyfriend warned that there was an imminent danger of Tadamichi uncovering Rei's relationship with Atana. Unwilling to let him threaten Rei's happiness, she obtained some help from Usagi to allow her to project an image of herself into Tadamichi's Tokyo apartment which only he could see. Since Tadamichi's video camera clearly showed he had been alone, and she could prove she was at the temple that night, the authorities put Tadamichi under psychiatric observation. She then made use of the projection again to convince his doctors that he was deranged. With the threat from Tadamichi removed, she gave her consent for Rei to marry Atana, and was in the process of having the necessary paperwork drawn up.
       As her new memories brought her up to the present, she recalled Usagi's trouble with the ginzuishou, and her own contributions to Atana's desperate search for information. Now that threat, too, was behind them.
       The tumbling sensation seemed to intensify as energy swirled outward. Though physically disoriented, she understood that the assimilation spell had actually allowed her to live this new life. All the decisions she made were hers, alone. It truly was her own life. The surge of energy grew more intense, and her body went limp on the couch.

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

       "Mom! Are you OK?" Rei cried, rushing to her side. Her own head was a bit of a jumble as her memories seemed to conflict with dreamlike images of her mother having died and returned as a spirit.
       Rika took a breath and nodded. "Yes," she finally said softly. "Just a little dizzy... but I'm fine."
       "It seems to have worked," Atana said. "If I really concentrate, I can vaguely recall the old memories, but they're fading pretty fast."
       "Yes," Rika said. "Usagi-san and Mamoru-san did a very good job." She rose to her feet and walked into the bathroom. In the mirror, she saw herself as Hirano Rika, in her mid thirties. That was entirely correct, since she had been twenty-five when she had died of cancer nine years ago. As she left the bathroom, Kara grasped her leg.
       "You're really OK, Grandma?" Kara asked.
       Rika smiled and gently caressed the little girl's cheek. "I'm fine, honey. I'm sorry if I worried you." She crouched down and gave her granddaughter a kiss. "See? Everything's fine."
       Kara nodded, hugging her.
       Rei picked up her communicator. "Usagi?... Usagi? Are you there?"
       "Yes, Rei-chan," Usagi answered, her voice sounding a bit tired and subdued.
       "Everything worked great," Rei said. "Mom's just fine... although in another moment or two, I may not be able to remember exactly what it is you did."
       "I understand," Usagi said. "I'm glad it worked out for her. Good night."
       "Good night," Rei said.
       Rika saw her purse sitting on the table. Opening it, she found her wallet, in which was a driver's license in the name of Hirano Rika. She put her wallet back in her purse, knowing that everything had indeed worked out just fine.

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

       Ryo fell back on the bed, his psychic sense a complete jumble.
       "Are you OK?" Ami asked in concern.
       He took a breath and slowly nodded. "I... I think so."
       "What is it?"
       "I think Usagi-chan and Mamoru-san just used their crystals," he said. "I think it was something to help Rei-chan's mother."
       "Why would Rika-san need help?" Ami asked, no longer remembering that Rei's mother had died.
       "I... I'm not sure," he replied, now not entirely certain what led him to that conclusion. "But whatever they did, it feels almost like my pyschic sense was turned inside out for a moment."
       Ami quickly produced her Mercury computer and initiated a scan. As the stream of data scrolled across the screen, she shook her head. "I'm not seeing anything out of place." Just then, a thought occurred to her and her eyes widened. "Unless it was something like what Queen Serenity did, erasing all memory of what had been."
       Ryo nodded. "That would make sense... but Usagi-chan just did that when she restored the world."
       "True," Ami agreed. "But in that case, she left us with memories of what had really happened."
       He nodded. "I don't know what it could be."
       She sat down at her desktop computer, which was already connected online, and brought up a news site. Starting a search, she studied the results. "Well, Rei's father is still in a coma at Tokyo Central Hospital after the attempt on his life..." She typed in another search. "And the only results I get for Rei's mother are concerning her books, and the two public appearances she made for her publisher earlier this year."
       He leaned back and sighed. "I can't remember enough of the images I was seeing to have any idea of what it might have been. When Usagi-chan has used the ginzuishou lately, the flashes I get have been pretty much incomprehensible."
       "But you're OK now?" she asked.
       "Yes. I think so."
       "Maybe we should call Usagi-chan and find out what happened," she suggested.
       He slowly shook his head. "I don't think right now would be the best time," he said. "She's been through quite a lot in the last couple days. If she had to use the ginzuishou yet again, she could be quite exhausted."
       Ami nodded in understanding, leaving her desk to sit on the bed next to him.

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

       Yusuke and Takeyuki studied the data of the recent flare on the monitor.
       "What do you make of it, Seiji-san?" Yusuke asked.
       "We're certain it was a flare of primal magic," Seiji answered. "It was remarkably powerful, but it was very carefully blended in to the background magic, making it difficult to spot. If it had been a bit less powerful, we might not have spotted it at all."
       "But primal magic does seem conclusive as to the source," Yusuke commented.
       "Our research staff think, but are less certain, that there were two overlapping and complimentary energy waves, which would seem to indicate it came from two sources, not one," Seiji said.
       "That makes sense," Takeyuki said. "Sailor Moon is using her crystal jointly with the golden crystal."
       Yusuke nodded. "After the recent scare, that would seem only prudent." He turned his attention back to Seiji. "Have we confirmed the physical location of the flare?"
       Seiji nodded. "Just as expected. Minato-ku, Juuban."
       "I see that most of our monitoring stations didn't even register it at all," Yusuke said. "Is that the blending in you mentioned?"
       "No," Seiji replied. "The monitors that registered it were the ones that are shielded against magic interference and jamming."
       Takeyuki leaned closer to Yusuke. "The magic flare could be covering up the changes. That's what she did the last time."
       Yusuke nodded.
       Takeyuki turned to the duty officer. "Takao-san, have we found any indications of effect from this flare?"
       "Nothing definite," Takao answered, still studying his own monitor.
       "What have you found?" Yusuke asked.
       Takao straightened up and shook his head. "We briefly had reports of field realignments being detected in some of our shields, but now that the flare has passed, we aren't detecting anything. Likewise, none of our stations are observing any changes or discrepancies."
       "I'm still inclined to think she covered up whatever it is she has done," Takeyuki said quietly.
       "I think you're right," Yusuke replied. Across the room, he caught sight of an older man, who was a former head of the Japan bureau. The older man gestured slightly. Yusuke and Takeyuki made their way around the room. "Kazuhiro-san."
       "Are either of you familiar with the pattern dynamic of an assimilation spell?" Kazuhiro asked, keeping his voice low.
       "No," Yusuke answered.
       Takeyuki shook his head.
       "You believe that's what this is?" Yusuke asked.
       Kazuhiro nodded. "I'm positive. The field realignments Takao-san just reported fit perfectly..."
       "And that would explain the non-shielded monitors not registering it at all," Takeyuki added.
       "Precisely," Kazuhiro agreed.
       Yusuke rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "But if it was an assimilation spell, we may never find any evidence of the change."
       "Our record vaults," Takeyuki suggested.
       "They are not shielded against primal magic," Kazuhiro said. "Until very recently, that was never an issue."
       "He's right," Yusuke agreed. He gestured to Takao.
       The duty officer left his desk to join them.
       "Kazuhiro-san believes this was an assimilation spell," Yusuke explained. "Being powered by the ginzuishou and the golden crystal, such a spell is certain to have overcome the shielding of our records vault."
       Takao nodded in understanding.
       "But I want you to run a discrepancy check anyway," Yusuke continued. "Just the past six months or so."
       "Right away," Takao acknowledged.
       A woman emerged from the communications room. "Yusuke-san, the operations center is calling."
       "Thank you, Kanae-san," Yusuke answered.
       "We don't have very much to tell them," Takeyuki said.
       "We know it was primal magic, and that there were two wave forms," Kazuhiro said. "That means we know the source of the incident, and we have no evidence of any physical effect from the flare, nor any risk to our secrecy."
       Yusuke nodded, a wry smile on his face. "You'd never guess it's been ten years since you stepped down from this job, Kazuhiro-san."
       "And if they ask about the possibility of an assimilation spell?" Takeyuki asked.
       Before Yusuke could answer, they saw Takao put down the phone on his desk. Takao turned and looked at Yusuke, then shook his head.
       Yusuke nodded in acknowledgment, then returned his attention to Takeyuki and Kazuhiro. "I'll tell them the truth. It has been suggested as a possibility, but we do not have sufficient information to either confirm or deny it."

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

       A black limousine pulled up at the base of a pier where a large luxury yacht was tied up. Two older men climbed out, quickly being flanked by four guards. The group walked along the pier to the yacht's gangway. A lone man in a dark suit was waiting, but three more stood at the top of the gangway, each with a hand conspicuously tucked inside his jacket.
       "What is this, Okazaki-san," the older of the two men demanded.
       "You received the daimyo's invitation, Yamane-san," Okazaki replied with a nod. "It is her right to explain."
       "You tell her I've had as much of this crap as I'm going to take. A third of my organization has been exposed, with who knows how much more at risk," Yamane said. "You tell her I will speak with her right now."
       The three men at the rail now had their guns at the ready.
       Okazaki calmly shook his head. "I do not tell the daimyo anything, Yamane-san... nor do you. She will explain the purpose of this meeting at the proper moment. Until then, go aboard, try to have a good time, and try not to make so much of an ass of yourself."
       "Why, you little..." Before Yamane could finish his sentence, he heard the click of guns. Looking up, he saw six men had appeared on the upper rail, each carrying a rifle. At a glance, even in the low light, he recognized the weapons, knowing that these would easily penetrate the protective layer of bullet-proof material he and his associates were each wearing under their suits. The guards on the lower rail also had their guns aimed, each clearly targeting the head. He took a step back and slowly lowered his hands.
       "The daimyo will see you all shortly," Okazaki said, his voice quiet but firm.

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

       Mamoru emerged from the bathroom and slipped off his robe. He was a bit surprised at just how fatigued he was after his first experience making serious use of the golden crystal. Through their link, he knew Usagi was still feeling it as well, but she had exerted herself far, far more over the last few days. As he slipped into bed alongside his exquisitely lovely fiancee, he recalled that she had found it tiring the first time she had used the ginzuishou.
       "Mamo-chan," she sighed.
       He snuggled close to her and kissed her lips. "I love you, my beautiful princess."
       She smiled. "And I love you, my handsome prince."
       He kissed her again. "This is just how it should be for us."
       "Almost," she corrected him. "We don't have the license yet that says you're forever mine."
       "And that you're forever mine." He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "But a piece of paper can't make us any closer than we already are."
       She slipped an arm around him, pressing her nude form to his. "No. But it does mean that, regardless of my age, I am your wife and my place is with you."
       "That it is," he agreed. "Forever and ever."
       "Oh, Mamo-chan," she sighed. "You make me so happy."
       "I'm glad, because you make me happier than I've ever been, Usako."
       "That's a wife's job," she said with a soft giggle.
       "And a husband's," he added.

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

       The yacht was cruising south across the waters of Tokyo Bay, having been under way for nearly an hour. A helicopter shadowed it at a distance.
       "Is everyone on board?" the white-haired woman asked.
       "Yes, daimyo-sama," the woman sitting next to her answered. "Okazaki-san confirmed that everyone you invited is there."
       "And the police?" the daimyo asked.
       "There were several observing the arrivals, and there is an unmarked boat following your yacht at about a half a kilometer," the other woman answered.
       "And my 'double'?"
       "Okazaki-san reported that, as planned, her head scarf slipped just enough for the police officers concealed in the area to confirm her as a woman of small stature with white hair," the woman said. "She was taken off again, without her disguise, as part of the catering staff."
       The daimyo nodded. "And none of my personal crew are on board?"
       "That is correct," the younger woman confirmed. "Just as you ordered."
       "Very good," the daimyo said with a wintry smile. "These fools are becoming unreliable. At least several are already thinking very dangerous thoughts." She pulled a cell phone from her purse and pressed the button to turn it on. After it had connected, she punched in a number. The display indicated the phone was placing the call. Holding the phone to her ear, she looked down at her yacht in the distance as she heard the sound of the first ring beginning. Suddenly, the yacht erupted in a massive fireball. She switched off the phone, then opened the small sliding window panel on the door and let the phone drop into the harbor. Reaching for her headset, she held it to one ear and pressed the microphone button. "Thank you, Matsuda-san. You may take us back now."
       "Yes, daimyo-sama," the pilot replied, already turning the helicopter.

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

       Hirano Rika climbed the steps to the property of the Hikawa Temple. In her mind, she could both recall that she had done this virtually every day, and also that this was something she hadn't done for a long time. As she walked along the main pathway, the trees rustled slightly in the wind and the natural energy of that place ran through her.
       She stepped up to the shrine's prayer altar. After a moment to center herself, she rang the bell and silently offered a prayer of thanks for having her life back. As she stepped back, she heard a noise nearby.
       "Good evening, daughter," Hirano Masahiko greeted her.
       "Father," she exclaimed softly. "I didn't know you'd still be up."
       He nodded. "I was just reading... and then I heard the bell." He looked at her. "I trust nothing is wrong."
       "Of course not," she said. Crouching down, she embraced him.
       He chuckled softly. "And what did I do to deserve this?"
       She shook her head, hoping he wouldn't notice the joyful tear in her eye. "I... I just wanted to make up for a few of the times when I wasn't able to do that."
       He smiled, hugging her in return. "I certainly don't mind, but it isn't something we keep score over."
       "I know that," she said. "But I just felt the need to."

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

       At a small airfield in southwestern Chiba Prefecture, a man in dark coveralls walked along the side of a hanger. At the back corner, he stopped. Behind the building was a large black car. Crouching down, he crept closer. The driver was not in the car. The man quickly memorized the license plate, knowing better than to be found with it on him if he should be stopped and searched. Hearing a noise from inside the rear door of the building, he hurried back to the corner. He leaned against the building, looking away from the car, and slowly withdrew a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. As he lit the cigarette, he heard the sound of a helicopter approaching. He leaned against the side of the building, maintaining the image of a freight handler on break as the helicopter drew closer and it became clear it was coming in to land. Stamping out his cigarette under his shoe, he moved back toward the front of the building and crouched behind a stack of crates, watching as the helicopter approached for a landing.
       Yasui Harunobu was a reporter for the Tokyo Morning News. Having spent over fifteen years on the crime beat, he knew that particular car belonged to a company called Eclipse Holdings, which was a front for what was alleged to be one of Japan's largest criminal networks, and the only one headed by a woman. Her real name was Masuzoe Eriko, but those in her organization referred to her and addressed her only as 'daimyo', for she was as ruthless and as iron-handed as any of the regional warlords of Japan's feudal era.
       The helicopter landed as close to the front of the hanger as was safe. Yasui looked at the registration number on the tail, committing it to memory as well. The rotors began to slow, and two men hurried to the helicopter. Yasui very quietly reached into one of the crates, pulling out the camera he had brought with him; it was loaded with high speed film, which would make a flash unnecessary, so long as his subjects were illuminated by the lights from the front of the hanger. He quickly focused in on the helicopter's rear door. A woman emerged and he snapped a picture, but it was not Masuzoe. A second woman emerged, wearing a scarf over her hair and keeping her head down. Yasui scowled; he couldn't see enough to identify her. Just then, he got a break. One of the men said something and the woman looked up. Yasui quickly adjusted his focus and snapped a picture. It was unquestionably the daimyo. He took a second photo of her as a precaution, then took pictures of several of those who had come to meet her. Ducking down as one of the men turned in his direction, he remained silent. The daimyo and her party walked back to the hanger. As they did, Yasui carefully returned the camera to its hiding place. It wouldn't be safe for him to reclaim it until after Masuzoe and her people had left.

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

       Rei sat on the floor in front of her portable shrine. Finishing her prayers, she closed up the shrine and put it away.
       Atana sat at his computer, typing.
       Returning to the living room, Rei moved up behind him and started massaging his shoulders. "You shouldn't hunch over like this when you're typing," she said softly.
       He nodded, sitting up straighter and sighing appreciatively as she continued to work on his shoulders. "Thanks. That feels good."
       "I'm glad," she replied. "What are you working on so late?"
       "This is my registration information for the International Magic Authority," he said. "Now that I have at least some of my memory back, and with the ginzuishou crisis resolved, I really can't put it off."
       "But they know who you are."
       "Several of the leadership here in Japan and in their global administrative center," he said. "But that's not the same as actually being registered."
       "You're sure?"
       He nodded. "I was registered in the past, in Atlantis. It has been one of the rules for adepts as long as anyone can remember. Since the Magic Guild of Atlantis no longer exists, I can't just prove my identity and reactivate my old registration. None of the old magic guilds exist. Queen Serenity essentially eliminated them. The Magic Authority has taken over those responsibilities."
       "So where do you register?" she asked.
       "Hawaii," he answered. "That's still my permanent residence, so that is where I need to register, then I would give notice to the Japan bureau that I have temporary residency here."
       "What about Kara?"
       "We don't have to register her yet," he said. "It's our responsibility to make sure she doesn't violate the secrecy rules. And if she succeeds you as Sailor Mars, she won't have to register since she'll be outside the Magic Authority's jurisdiction, just as you are."
       "And our next child?"
       He smiled at her. "That will depend. It's a safe bet he or she would have a magic potential, since you and I both do. Is this your way of telling me something?"
       "No. Not yet," she replied. "When Usagi first told us she was pregnant, I could sense something different in her aura. I... I'm not sensing anything like that yet."
       "But surely she didn't realize she was pregnant after only a day or two."
       "No, she didn't," Rei confirmed. "I think her first sign was that she was having trouble transforming, but she didn't tell us about that until later. Even if she had, we were all too busy at the time to investigate it properly. Besides, I don't think any of us would have guessed it was that."
       "Did you know they were, uhm, that involved?" he asked.
       "Yes," she replied. "They didn't make any secret of it. At least, not with us."
       "But each of you somehow retained a deeply ingrained certainty that you didn't need to be concerned about consequences," he observed. "So deeply ingrained that you didn't even think about it."
       "That's right," she confirmed, still gently massaging his shoulders. "The rest of us didn't think about it regarding Usagi and Mamoru-san. And Ami-chan was the first of the rest of us to do that, and she didn't think about it either."
       Atana frowned and shook his head slightly. "That means it had to have been deeply imprinted in the subconscious, like a very deep and intense hypnotic suggestion, but that's not how it was in the past."
       She stopped massaging and leaned closer. "What do you mean?"
       He sighed, placing one of his hands over one of hers. "I think Mamoru-san and Usagi-san were set up."
       "They were forced to get pregnant?"
       "No, not exactly," he said. "They retained the choice as to whether or not to become intimate, but given that Prince Endymion and Princess Serenity had such a torrid relationship..."
       Rei nodded. "Usagi and Mamoru-san didn't even wait to learn their true identities."
       "What?"
       "It's true," Rei said. "Usagi only knew him as Tuxedo Kamen, and he only knew her as Sailor Moon when he invited her to spend the night with him. The problem was that Usagi also knew Mamoru-san, and they couldn't stand each other. When she found out who he was, Usagi had a fit and beat him up. But after doing that, she found she'd hurt herself far more than him. After that..."
       He nodded in understanding. "We know from our own experience, true soul-mates cannot be kept apart."
       "Yes, I know," she acknowledged. "Mamoru-san, before we learned he was Tuxedo Kamen, was keeping his distance from Usagi... but Tuxedo Kamen was expressing his feelings for Sailor Moon."
       "That is entirely predictable," he said. "The pressure of the moment overcomes any reservation about the difference in age that the customs of this era would dictate, and very quickly they discover their feelings for each other, even before they learn they were lovers in a past life. Once they became intimate, the ingrained suggestion against contraception made it inevitable that eventually nature would take its course."
       "And that's what you mean about them being set up."
       "Yes," he replied. "At the very least, the deck was stacked in favor of this outcome."
       "Queen Serenity said several times that she had prepared things so that we could defeat the Dark Kingdom, and in particular so that the prophecy about Earth and Moon becoming one could be fulfilled," she commented. "Do you think she really went that far to achieve that end?"
       He shrugged and sighed. "I can't say for certain, but clearly she did everything possible to eliminate the chance of things playing out like last time. Does that add up to taking away their choice in it? I'm not sure. I mean, technically they could have decided against taking their relationship that far."
       "Yeah. 'Technically'," she snorted. "But from the very start, every time Sailor Moon looked at Tuxedo Kamen, Usagi was drifting in her own little world, and his attention was always on her far more than the rest of us. I don't think there was ever any question of them not going all the way."
       "That could be," he acknowledged. "But does that add up to Queen Serenity having compelled them to it, or just letting their natural attraction for each other run its course? The only thing I'm confident of is that she made sure they wouldn't unknowingly defeat the prophecy like last time."
       She kissed his cheek. "Well, it's all academic now... and it's late. We should go to bed."
       Nodding, he saved his work, then shut down the computer. He stood up and pulled her into his embrace. "I love you, my gorgeous Mrs. Magi."
       She grinned, leaning up to kiss his lips. "I love you."

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

       Yasui Harunobu saw the daimyo's car leave, but considered it still too soon to be able to safely retrieve his camera; counting the comings and goings, he was certain there were at least three people still in that hanger, and he couldn't be certain they weren't employees of the daimyo. Instead, he slipped into a shed at the rear of another hanger and pulled out his cell phone. He turned it on, and after it had connected to his network, the phone beeped, showing several voicemail messages. Ignoring the messages, he pressed the speed dial button for his partner.
       "Kusuda," the other man answered.
       "It's Yasui," he said.
       "I've been trying to reach you," Kusuda said. "The daimyo's yacht exploded in the middle of Tokyo Bay tonight, with her and all of her chief lieutenants on board."
       "Not her," Yasui said. "She's still alive."
       "No," Kusuda replied. "I've got it from three sources in the police department. Multiple undercover officers saw her get on board, and she didn't get back off."
       "They're wrong," Yasui said firmly. "Either she sneaked back off in disguise, or the police were fooled by a decoy. Masuzoe Eriko is alive. I just saw her get off a helicopter here in Awa about fifteen minutes ago."
       "You're sure?"
       "Absolutely," Yasui said. "I've got photos to prove it."
       "You said Awa?" Kusuda asked.
       "That's right," Yasui answered. "Awa district, the town of Kyonan."
       "Damn!" Kusuda swore. "That's almost the southern tip of the Boso peninsula. It'll take you hours to get back here by road or train."
       "Yes. That's true," Yasui confirmed. "But Masuzoe has a house not far from here, in Minamiboso. I think it's actually owned by her holding company, which would make it a decent place for her to stay out of sight while the police report her dead."
       "Yes, that does make sense," Kusuda agreed. "OK... You're absolutely sure about this? There's no chance of a mistake?"
       "No mistake," Yasui answered. "The daimyo is alive, and we're the only ones who know it."
       "For the moment... but Hata-san is never going to let us run with this without seeing your pictures himself," Kusuda said. "OK. You stay there. I'm going to Hata-san and Kuromi-san. For an exclusive this big, I'm sure I can get them to send the company helicopter to pick you up. What's the general aviation company there?"
       "Amiya Aviation," Yasui said.
       "Amiya. Got it. I'll call back as soon as Kuromi-san gives the OK."
       "Understood," Yasui replied. He pushed the button to end the call.

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

       Just over an hour and a half later, Yasui and Kusuda were sitting outside the office of their editor, Hata Naoki, who was reviewing the draft of their article. Yasui had given Kusuda the details of his excursion in Awa over the phone while being flown back to Tokyo.
       "This looks good," Hata said. "And the license plate from that car checks out, as does the registry number for the helicopter. But I need to see..."
       Just then, a young intern from the photography department came running from the stairwell. "Photographs for Yasui-san," he announced breathlessly. "They said it was a rush job."
       "Yes. I'll take those," Hata said.
       The intern bowed and held out the folder to Hata while Yasui and Kusuda rose to their feet.
       Hata quickly flipped through the photographs, then gave particular scrutiny to the two of the daimyo. After a moment he snapped the folder closed and handed it to Yasui. "Run it," he said.
       Yasui and Kusuda bowed in acknowledgment.

< To be continued >

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

-12.28.2012
 

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