Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Happily Ever After or Something Like That ❯ Intellectual Interlude ( Chapter 16 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: deadlydiva 
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 01.19.2005 | Updated On: 08.20.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 1.8K | Visits: 241 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 01.19.2005 | Updated On: 08.20.2006 | Pages: 2 | Words: 1.8K | Visits: 241 | Status: Work In Progress
AN: I am so very sorry for the hiatus. It was not self-imposed. Things, as always got hectic and the fics took the hardest hits. Well, I’m going to try to update this more often. (But I make no promises.) Anyhoo, let’s get to the real reason why you’re here, cause I know you didn’t click just to read my author’s notes…
Taiki stood at the kitchen sink drying the dinner dishes, As he wiped the last one dry, Taiki recalled the series of events that lead to his current situation.
* * * * *FLASHBACK* * * * *
Ami was draped across the chaise lounge. She was holding a book on Post-Apocalyptic Japan. However, the page hadn’t turned in over a half hour.
Taiki looked in on her from the kitchen. Ami had a glow that she did not have previously. Ami was actually daydreaming. He walked over to Ami and tugged on a wayward strand of hair.
“Hey you,” Ami closed her book and placed it beside her.
“Hey yourself.” Taiki sat in a chair across from Ami. “Dinner will be ready in a few.”
“Oh Taiki, you shouldn’t have. I’m not really that hungry.”
Taiki eyed the water senshi suspiciously. He said nothing.
“You know it’s something how the Shittenou managed to return after all these years?” Taiki probed.
“Yeah, it’s something,” Ami sighed.
Taiki couldn’t take it anymore. This coy act was exasperating. He knew something had happened and it happened recently.
“Are we going to keep dancing around this or are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Taiki blurted out.
“Why whatever do you mean?” Ami asked, channeling the spirit of Scarlett O’Hara.
Taiki cut his eyes to Ami. “What’s his name? Whenever a woman call on her inner Scarlett, there’s a man involved.”
Ami blushed slightly. She was not about to divulge the details of her private life so easily. Taiki would have to give up some information before she would say a single word.
“Taiki, why are you here?”
“What? I thought you enjoyed my company. Are you trying to get rid of me?” Taiki joked.
Ami shook her head. “It’s nothing like that. The reason that I ask is that you are an attractive --,” Ami hesitated. She was not sure how to refer to Taiki. Did he see himself as a woman disguised as a man? Or had he been on Earth for so long that he accepted and better identified with his male persona?
Taiki noticed Ami’s pause. This was the first time that Ami grappled with the concept of Taiki’s gender. For so long, Taiki struggled with the same thing. Unlike Seiya and Yaten, who preferred the male persona, Taiki was still conflicted. Taiki loved Ami as much as one person could love another. Yet, there was something missing.
“Ami, I know what you’re trying to ask. To be honest, I’m not sure where I belong.”
Ami was embarrassed. Usually, Usagi or Minako were the ones suffering from foot in mouth disease. This was a first for her.
“I see how Yaten and Seiya have handled the changes we’ve gone through,” Taiki continued, “And to be honest, I’m jealous.”
Taiki could see another wave of confusion washing over his companion, so he picked up where he left off. “The two of them have chosen to live as conventional Earth males.”
“Let me guess, you’re not a conventional man?”
It was now Taiki’s turn to blush. “That’s the thing. I just don’t know. I do prefer the males body, more strength and less PMS.”
Ami laughed at the thought of Taiki bitching at Seiya and Yaten over who used the last tampon.
“But,” Taiki said effectively cutting off Ami’s laugh riot, “When it comes to everything else, I don’t have a clue.”
Ami stared into the swirling lavender pools that were Taiki’s eyes. She could see the confusion in his soul. “Whatever you chose, I’ll always support you. Taiki, your happiness is important to me.”
Taiki sighed as he thanked his higher power for bringing Mizuno Ami into his life. Then, Taiki realized that Ami had deflected his question. He still did not have the foggiest clue of what or who was responsible for her new inner glow.
“So… what’s his name Ami?”
“Huh?” Ami figured that Taiki had forgotten about that.
“The glow, the daydreams. You can’t fool me. Make it easy on yourself and just tell me.”
Ami looked at Taiki and shook her head. Yet again, he tall starlight had compelled her to reveal more than she intended.
“It’s Zoicite.”
A small smile crept across Taiki’s face. “I figured as much. Go on.”
“Well we went on a date a couple of week ago --”
“Oh…that’s why you sent me to that spa in Kyoto for the weekend. And here I thought that you wanted to pamper me.”
“Anyway…we had a good time and things are starting to get back to the way they used to be. It’s kind of nice.”
“So is this what you want, to be with Zoicite?” Taiki inquired.
Ami nodded. “I think so. We’re compatible on so many different levels…”
“And what levels are we talking about?”
Ami began to blush deeply. She was not ashamed of what has transpired between herself and Zoicite. Ami just wasn’t ready to broadcast it to the world.
“Kami-sama! You did special things with Zoicite, didn’t you?” Taiki was glad that Ami had gotten her long overdue release. In his opinion, Ami had been wound too tight. Her sense of duty and responsibility would have been her undoing. Luckily, she found an outlet for her excess energies.
“Well, umm…” was all Ami could muster.
“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
Ami sighed a deep breath of relief. She wasn’t ready for everyone’s reactions.
* * * * *END OF FLASHBACK* * * * *
Three months had passed since then. Ami was pregnant with Zoicite’s child and Taiki had been chosen to play the part of dutiful boyfriend, just in case someone got suspicious.
Once Taiki put the last dish in the cupboard, he walked into the living room to see Ami engrossed in the latest edition of ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting.’ Taiki could not help but to chuckle at the scene before him. Ami was feverishly highlighting, underlining and taking detailed notes. The random person would think she was studying for her medical boards.
“You do know al you are doing will be for naught once that child is born?”
Ami looked up from her task. “Don’t knock it. This is uncharted territory. Usagi was supposed to be the one to have children first.”
Taiki cast his glance down toward the forlorn water senshi. A smile began to make its way to his face as he saw Ami place a free hand on her swollen abdomen.
“I wouldn’t worry too much Ami-chan. I heard maternal instincts have a nasty way of kicking in at just the right time.”
Ami chuckled. For the first time that evening, she took a good look at Taiki. This was a man who had effectively put his life on hold to protect her secret. Taiki deserved better. Ami felt her pregnant hormones kick in as she began bawling. She could not halt the tears’ descent. Ami felt like the lowest of all creatures. She was blatantly using her friend because she was too much of a coward to face what could be with Zoicite.
Taiki rushed over to the chaise. He figured that it had to be some kind of pregnancy thing. Ami was just starting her second trimester. Taiki wondered if it was just a bit early for this kind of theatrics.
“Ami-chan, are you…okay? Taiki was cautious. Whenever Ami treaded down this path, she often changed emotions and the object thereof.
“I -- I’m sorry Taiki-kun. I’m so very sorry,’ Ami sobbed into Taiki’s shoulder.
“It’s alright Ami-chan.” Taiki’s statement caused her to wail even louder. “Ami, what’s going on?”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for ruining for life,” she choked out between sobs.
Taiki felt like he had been hit with a bolt of lightning. Ami thought that he saw her as burden, no, an obligation. Taiki took Ami’s face in his hands.
“Mizuno-san, look at me. You did not force me to take this on. I did it because I love you. I would do whatever it takes to make you happy.”
“But Taiki…”
“No buts. This was my choice and mine alone.”
Ami slowly stopped crying. “But don’t you want to go out and enjoy your life as single man?”
“Listen Ami. I’m going to let you in on a secret. I’m using this time with you to sort out my crazy life. I’m in no rush to leave, so you’re stuck with me.”
Ami smiled. Taiki exhaled a breath that he did not know he was holding. He was just grateful that he escaped the wrath of Vesuvius.
“Taiki,” Ami whispered.
“Yes, what is it?” Taiki readied himself for another ride on Ami’s emotional roller coaster.
“I have to go to the bathroom. Get out of my way.”
Taiki shook his head as he gave Ami the clearance she needed to get up.
AN: Yeah, this was pure filler. I know. But remember, even filler has it purpose. It can even advance plots. Just think about it. Well anyway R/R.
Until then,
The Deadly Diva
Taiki stood at the kitchen sink drying the dinner dishes, As he wiped the last one dry, Taiki recalled the series of events that lead to his current situation.
* * * * *FLASHBACK* * * * *
Ami was draped across the chaise lounge. She was holding a book on Post-Apocalyptic Japan. However, the page hadn’t turned in over a half hour.
Taiki looked in on her from the kitchen. Ami had a glow that she did not have previously. Ami was actually daydreaming. He walked over to Ami and tugged on a wayward strand of hair.
“Hey you,” Ami closed her book and placed it beside her.
“Hey yourself.” Taiki sat in a chair across from Ami. “Dinner will be ready in a few.”
“Oh Taiki, you shouldn’t have. I’m not really that hungry.”
Taiki eyed the water senshi suspiciously. He said nothing.
“You know it’s something how the Shittenou managed to return after all these years?” Taiki probed.
“Yeah, it’s something,” Ami sighed.
Taiki couldn’t take it anymore. This coy act was exasperating. He knew something had happened and it happened recently.
“Are we going to keep dancing around this or are you going to tell me what’s going on?” Taiki blurted out.
“Why whatever do you mean?” Ami asked, channeling the spirit of Scarlett O’Hara.
Taiki cut his eyes to Ami. “What’s his name? Whenever a woman call on her inner Scarlett, there’s a man involved.”
Ami blushed slightly. She was not about to divulge the details of her private life so easily. Taiki would have to give up some information before she would say a single word.
“Taiki, why are you here?”
“What? I thought you enjoyed my company. Are you trying to get rid of me?” Taiki joked.
Ami shook her head. “It’s nothing like that. The reason that I ask is that you are an attractive --,” Ami hesitated. She was not sure how to refer to Taiki. Did he see himself as a woman disguised as a man? Or had he been on Earth for so long that he accepted and better identified with his male persona?
Taiki noticed Ami’s pause. This was the first time that Ami grappled with the concept of Taiki’s gender. For so long, Taiki struggled with the same thing. Unlike Seiya and Yaten, who preferred the male persona, Taiki was still conflicted. Taiki loved Ami as much as one person could love another. Yet, there was something missing.
“Ami, I know what you’re trying to ask. To be honest, I’m not sure where I belong.”
Ami was embarrassed. Usually, Usagi or Minako were the ones suffering from foot in mouth disease. This was a first for her.
“I see how Yaten and Seiya have handled the changes we’ve gone through,” Taiki continued, “And to be honest, I’m jealous.”
Taiki could see another wave of confusion washing over his companion, so he picked up where he left off. “The two of them have chosen to live as conventional Earth males.”
“Let me guess, you’re not a conventional man?”
It was now Taiki’s turn to blush. “That’s the thing. I just don’t know. I do prefer the males body, more strength and less PMS.”
Ami laughed at the thought of Taiki bitching at Seiya and Yaten over who used the last tampon.
“But,” Taiki said effectively cutting off Ami’s laugh riot, “When it comes to everything else, I don’t have a clue.”
Ami stared into the swirling lavender pools that were Taiki’s eyes. She could see the confusion in his soul. “Whatever you chose, I’ll always support you. Taiki, your happiness is important to me.”
Taiki sighed as he thanked his higher power for bringing Mizuno Ami into his life. Then, Taiki realized that Ami had deflected his question. He still did not have the foggiest clue of what or who was responsible for her new inner glow.
“So… what’s his name Ami?”
“Huh?” Ami figured that Taiki had forgotten about that.
“The glow, the daydreams. You can’t fool me. Make it easy on yourself and just tell me.”
Ami looked at Taiki and shook her head. Yet again, he tall starlight had compelled her to reveal more than she intended.
“It’s Zoicite.”
A small smile crept across Taiki’s face. “I figured as much. Go on.”
“Well we went on a date a couple of week ago --”
“Oh…that’s why you sent me to that spa in Kyoto for the weekend. And here I thought that you wanted to pamper me.”
“Anyway…we had a good time and things are starting to get back to the way they used to be. It’s kind of nice.”
“So is this what you want, to be with Zoicite?” Taiki inquired.
Ami nodded. “I think so. We’re compatible on so many different levels…”
“And what levels are we talking about?”
Ami began to blush deeply. She was not ashamed of what has transpired between herself and Zoicite. Ami just wasn’t ready to broadcast it to the world.
“Kami-sama! You did special things with Zoicite, didn’t you?” Taiki was glad that Ami had gotten her long overdue release. In his opinion, Ami had been wound too tight. Her sense of duty and responsibility would have been her undoing. Luckily, she found an outlet for her excess energies.
“Well, umm…” was all Ami could muster.
“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
Ami sighed a deep breath of relief. She wasn’t ready for everyone’s reactions.
* * * * *END OF FLASHBACK* * * * *
Three months had passed since then. Ami was pregnant with Zoicite’s child and Taiki had been chosen to play the part of dutiful boyfriend, just in case someone got suspicious.
Once Taiki put the last dish in the cupboard, he walked into the living room to see Ami engrossed in the latest edition of ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting.’ Taiki could not help but to chuckle at the scene before him. Ami was feverishly highlighting, underlining and taking detailed notes. The random person would think she was studying for her medical boards.
“You do know al you are doing will be for naught once that child is born?”
Ami looked up from her task. “Don’t knock it. This is uncharted territory. Usagi was supposed to be the one to have children first.”
Taiki cast his glance down toward the forlorn water senshi. A smile began to make its way to his face as he saw Ami place a free hand on her swollen abdomen.
“I wouldn’t worry too much Ami-chan. I heard maternal instincts have a nasty way of kicking in at just the right time.”
Ami chuckled. For the first time that evening, she took a good look at Taiki. This was a man who had effectively put his life on hold to protect her secret. Taiki deserved better. Ami felt her pregnant hormones kick in as she began bawling. She could not halt the tears’ descent. Ami felt like the lowest of all creatures. She was blatantly using her friend because she was too much of a coward to face what could be with Zoicite.
Taiki rushed over to the chaise. He figured that it had to be some kind of pregnancy thing. Ami was just starting her second trimester. Taiki wondered if it was just a bit early for this kind of theatrics.
“Ami-chan, are you…okay? Taiki was cautious. Whenever Ami treaded down this path, she often changed emotions and the object thereof.
“I -- I’m sorry Taiki-kun. I’m so very sorry,’ Ami sobbed into Taiki’s shoulder.
“It’s alright Ami-chan.” Taiki’s statement caused her to wail even louder. “Ami, what’s going on?”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for ruining for life,” she choked out between sobs.
Taiki felt like he had been hit with a bolt of lightning. Ami thought that he saw her as burden, no, an obligation. Taiki took Ami’s face in his hands.
“Mizuno-san, look at me. You did not force me to take this on. I did it because I love you. I would do whatever it takes to make you happy.”
“But Taiki…”
“No buts. This was my choice and mine alone.”
Ami slowly stopped crying. “But don’t you want to go out and enjoy your life as single man?”
“Listen Ami. I’m going to let you in on a secret. I’m using this time with you to sort out my crazy life. I’m in no rush to leave, so you’re stuck with me.”
Ami smiled. Taiki exhaled a breath that he did not know he was holding. He was just grateful that he escaped the wrath of Vesuvius.
“Taiki,” Ami whispered.
“Yes, what is it?” Taiki readied himself for another ride on Ami’s emotional roller coaster.
“I have to go to the bathroom. Get out of my way.”
Taiki shook his head as he gave Ami the clearance she needed to get up.
AN: Yeah, this was pure filler. I know. But remember, even filler has it purpose. It can even advance plots. Just think about it. Well anyway R/R.
Until then,
The Deadly Diva