Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ That Special Magic ❯ Developments ( Chapter 13 )

        Usagi and Minako walked along the street, carrying Luna and Artemis with them. They approached a new boutique that was proving quite popular, finding it very busy.

        "Something doesn't feel right here," Minako said softly. "I'm getting majorly bad vibes."

        Usagi glanced around. "Could the boutique be a front for the Dark Kingdom? It wouldn't be the first time they've used a store for their operation."

        "Entirely possible," Luna said. "I think we need to check this out. But first, we'd better call the others."

        Usagi produced her communicator. "Minako, you and Artemis go inside and have a look around," she said. "I'll call the others."

        "Right," Minako agreed.

        As Minako walked toward the door, Usagi pressed the button on her communicator. "Minako and I are checking out something suspicious at the new boutique. We'd appreciate some assistance, just in case."

        "I'm on my way," Makoto answered.

        "I can be there shortly," Rei said.

        "I'm at the library just now," Ami said. "But I'll be there just as quickly as I can."

        Inside the store, Minako looked around. Everything seemed perfectly normal, but she still sensed something unusual. She moved to the rear of the store, and looked into the display cases. As she approached the counter, a small crystalline obelisk next to the register began to glow. All at once, energy swirled around the store, and the other customers fell to the floor unconscious. The three sales clerks closed in on her, transforming into youmas.

        "Now we have her!" one of the youmas declared.

        The three youmas each extended a claw-like hand, spraying Minako with a sticky substance that ensnared her like a net.

        Usagi observed this from outside. She pressed the alert button on her communicator, then transformed. Her transformation complete, she burst through the door.

        The youmas turned, clearly surprised to see her. One quickly sprayed more of the sticky material at her. Sailor Moon dove aside. A second youma jumped toward her.

        "Surrender the ginzuishou, Sailor Moon, or we will kill them all!" the youma declared.

        Sailor Moon rolled back to her feet, then struck the youma with a kick, finding more of the sticky substance covering her boot. She pulled back, finding her boot trying to stick to the floor. Grabbing a glass tray from the counter, she hurled it at the youma, forcing it back.

        The first two youmas quickly closed in on Sailor Moon, who dove aside. The third youma caught her with a spray of the sticky material, trapping Sailor Moon's arms.

        "Venus Power, Make up!" Minako cried, having managed to partially extricate herself, and transforming into Sailor Venus. She immediately extended her arm and pointed her finger at one of the youmas. "Crescent beam!" An intense beam of energy struck the youma, smashing it back into the counter.

        Just then, a red rose flashed past Sailor Moon and the sticky netting holding her faded away. She glanced over to see Tuxedo Kamen standing in the door.

        The other two youmas moved closer to the third, which was regaining its feet.

        "Sailor Moon! You must heal them!" Luna cried.

        She nodded, and her moon stick appeared in her hand. The ginzuishou appeared, floating just above her brooch, and her entire body took on an intense silver-white glow. She swung the moon stick, sending powerful waves of healing energy washing over the three youmas. As the energy faded, they transformed back to the sales clerks, who collapsed to the floor.

        The other Sailor Senshi arrived just at that moment.

        "Are you alright?" Mars asked.

        "Yes," Sailor Moon said, as Tuxedo Kamen stepped forward and embraced her. She looked up at him and smiled. "Thank you for the help, my beloved Tuxedo Kamen."

        "I could never permit anything to happen to you, my love," he said softly.

        "Mercury," Sailor Venus called. "I need you to take a look at this crystal obelisk back here. I think it's what started this whole thing."

        Sailor Mercury activated her computer and began scanning the small obelisk. "It appears to be a fairly simple scanner," she said.

        "It reacted when I came back here," Venus explained.

        Mercury adjusted her scanner, probing some more. "I'm not sure just what they were scanning for, but presumably they expected to draw at least one of us in here, and then bring the rest running into a trap."

        "Let's smash their scanner," Artemis said. "The fact that the trap didn't work should deter them from trying this particular approach again."

        Venus nodded, picking up the obelisk and throwing it to the floor, where it broke into many pieces.

        "I think we should return to the Temple," Luna said. "I want to review what has happened here."

        The others started to leave.

        "I'll be along in just a minute, Luna," Sailor Moon said, as she and Tuxedo Kamen went off on their own.

        He took her in his arms and kissed her. "I so glad you're alright," he said softly.

        She smiled at him lovingly. "Thank you, my prince," she said. "I just wish I could be with you tonight."

        "I understand," he said. "But I wanted you to know that I'm having lunch with your father tomorrow."

        "Really? What do you plan to say?"

        "I'm just hoping for a good conversation," he said. "That should help things along."

        "Good luck, Mamo-chan," she said softly, kissing him again. "I love you... more than anything."

        "I love you," he whispered.

        The next day, Mamoru and Kenji sat together in a private dining room of the Tokyo Business Club.

        "Thank you for inviting me to lunch," Kenji said. "But I presume this isn't about business."

        "Very true," Mamoru said. "Although that is a part of it."

        Kenji looked confused.

        "I wanted to assure you that I don't handle, or even seriously influence, business decisions," Mamoru said. "Kobayashi-san keeps me informed, and he listens if I have an opinion, but he and the board make the final decisions, and he's not afraid to tell me if he thinks I'm wrong."

        "I see," Kenji said softly.

        "I didn't want you to think the fact that Usagi and I are dating would have any sort of professional repercussions, Tsukino-san," Mamoru said. "Kobayashi speaks for the Chiba companies, not I. I've already expressed my concerns to him about making that absolutely clear."

        "You did?"

        Mamoru nodded. "As I understand it, some pretty sweeping changes are planned for the news magazine. You're going to have your hands full charting that new course. The last thing I want to see is you having to deal with rumors that you got the job through some sort of connection."

        Kenji sat back, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I recall Kobayashi-san's memo, which seemed to stress that my appointment was a decision of the board, but I never heard anything about this."

        "Ordinarily, I'm sure there wouldn't have been any reason for you to know about it," Mamoru said.

        Kenji nodded. "But you felt it necessary to share this."

        "Yes. I thought you deserved to know."

        "You must forgive me," Kenji said. "I'm not used to having such details shared with me. It is not exactly the norm in most corporations."

        They fell silent as the waiter entered with the next course.

        "But you said that business was only a part of it," Kenji said, after the waiter had left.

        "That's true," Mamoru said. "The rest has to do with Usagi and I going together."

        Kenji frowned, but said nothing.

        "I take it you still don't entirely approve," Mamoru said.

        Kenji took a sip from his drink. "She's still very young," he finally said.

        "I'm well aware of that," Mamoru replied. "And it was a major concern of mine when things began to develop between us. I would never do anything to hurt her."

        "I'm not blind, Mamoru-san," Kenji said. "I can see that she cares for you very much, and you for her."

        "Thank you."

        "But I am still concerned about her age," Kenji continued. "She is very young to be having a serious relationship."

        "I know, and I can only repeat that I would never have let things progress if I thought she couldn't handle it," Mamoru said.

        Kenji glanced at him uncertainly. "My wife is more accepting of this," he finally said. "I still have my doubts."

        "If I may ask... what would ease your doubts?" Mamoru asked.

        "I think I would prefer to see her wait a few years," Kenji answered.

        Mamoru paused for a moment, taking a slow, deep breath. "Well... I think perhaps you should discuss that with Usagi... and I certainly wouldn't presume to speak for her... but I suspect she might consider that unrealistic."

        Kenji started to say something, then stopped himself.

        "I have another question that, again, I hope is not out of place," Mamoru said. "Not having parents of my own, I don't have anyone I can readily turn to. How did you approach your wife's parents when you and she were first going together?"

        "She wasn't so young," Kenji said.

        "Was that the only factor?"

        Kenji glanced away, a frown on his face, then shifted position in his seat. "I'm sorry, Mamoru-san, but I don't think we should discuss this further."

        Mamoru was slightly taken aback. "As you wish," he said. "And I wish to apologize if the question was inappropriate."

        Kenji nodded, and took another sip of his drink. "To my mind, Usagi is too young," he finally said. "But I also don't want her just running off and carrying this on behind our backs."

        "Neither she nor I want to see that," Mamoru said. "She wants to have your support and approval. It's important to her, and to me."

        Kenji sat back, removed his glasses and slowly wiped them. "She has become more responsible lately," he said softly.

        "Please be frank, sir. Do you have any concerns with me?" Mamoru asked.

        "That is much too awkward a question for me to answer," Kenji said. "Regardless of whether you are or are not involved in the business affairs, you are still the owner of the company I work for. There are certain lines of etiquette that one just does not cross."

        "But does that fact have anything to do with your concerns about my relationship with Usagi?" Mamoru pressed.

        Kenji looked flustered. "No," he said after a moment's hesitation. "I don't think so."

        "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to put you on the spot," Mamoru said. "I just wanted to know if there was anything I had done to give you reservations."

        Kenji shook his head, a frown on his face. He stared at Mamoru for a moment, with a stern expression. "Just what are your intentions toward Usagi?"

        Mamoru leaned forward slowly. "I love her very much, and when she's older, I hope to be able to marry her."

        "Marry her?!"

        "Of course," Mamoru said. "When she's older."

        "You haven't known her for very long," Kenji pointed out. "Nor has she known you."

        "True. But we both feel like we've known each other forever," Mamoru said. "She's the most wonderful person I've ever known."

        Kenji sat there thoughtfully, gazing down at his plate. The soft chiming of a clock interrupted him. He glanced up at the clock. "I'm afraid I must be going," he said, beginning to rise to his feet. "Thank you again for lunch."

        Mamoru stood up and nodded. "You're quite welcome."

        The waiter met them at the door with the bill, which Mamoru signed. As they moved into the lobby, they saw Kobayashi.

        "Mamoru-san. Tsukino-san," Kobayashi called, stepping toward them. "Did you come here for lunch?"

        "Yes. Chiba-san invited me," Kenji answered. "But if you will excuse me, I do have another appointment."

        "Of course," Kobayashi said.

        "Thank you for coming, Tsukino-san," Mamoru said.

        Kenji nodded. "Good day, Chiba-san. Kobayashi-san." He then turned and walked toward the door.

        After Kenji had left, Kobayashi turned to Mamoru. "So, was this a social engagement?"

        "Yes," Mamoru said. "Just a personal matter."

        "Is there a problem, Mamoru-san?" Kobayashi asked.

        Mamoru shook his head. "Nothing that is a business concern."

        "I'm not talking about business," Kobayashi said. "I just want to know if there is anything wrong."

        "No... at least, nothing serious," Mamoru said.

        Kobayashi nodded his head as understanding dawned. "He's not entirely thrilled that you're dating his daughter, I take it."

        Mamoru turned and glared at Kobayashi, then nodded.

        Kobayashi placed his hand on Mamoru's shoulder. "Don't worry too much. I'm sure things will work out in the end."

        Kenji returned home about an hour later.

        "How was your meeting with Mamoru, dear?" Ikuko asked.

        "It got a bit uncomfortable," he said quietly.

        "Why? What did he do?"

        Kenji shook his head. "No, he didn't really do anything. He asked some tough questions, but that wasn't it."

        "Then what did happen?"

        "He asked how I approached your parents when we were first going together," he said.

        "So? They didn't have any problems with you," she said.

        "I know. But I also remembered a cousin of mine, who was dating a man about the same time. Her parents objected, and she ran away. They didn't see her again for three years."

        "Usagi's not going to run away like that," Ikuko said comfortingly.

        Kenji looked at her for a moment, remaining silent.

        "What is it, dear?" she asked.

        "I'd still like to see her wait a few years," he said. "She's still very young."

        Ikuko frowned. "Are you seriously thinking of suggesting that?"

        "I think it would be for the best," he said, nodding.

        "Well, I don't, Kenji," she said firmly.

        "But..."

        "No," she interrupted. "Doing that would tell her we don't trust her at all."

        "That's not what I'm saying..."

        "But that is what it will amount to," she insisted. "She didn't have to tell us she was seeing him. She invited him to meet us because she wanted us to know. If we now try to tell her not to see him, it will just say that we don't trust her and make her think she was wrong to tell us in the first place. You say you don't want her to run away, but it's unmistakably clear that she's very much in love with him, and trying to keep her from seeing him might be the one thing that would bring her to do it."

        "Mamoru said he hopes to marry her eventually," he said.

        "I expected as much," she said.

        He shook his head. "I suggested to him that I'd like to see them wait."

        "And what did he say?"

        "He said I should discuss it with Usagi, but he thought she'd consider it 'unrealistic'."

        "I'm afraid I have to agree with him," Ikuko said softly. "I think you want to try to hold on to her as a little girl, but that's no longer an option, dear. They're in love. We have to face that. I think they're going to keep seeing each other whether we approve or not."

        "So, we have to just go along with it?"

        "If you can't think of it any other way, then I guess so," she said. "I would have preferred to see her be older before getting into such a serious relationship, but Mamoru is a very nice, respectable young man, and I think he is having a very positive influence on her. She has never been happier, she seems to be handling it very well, and I'm not prepared to ask her to give all that up."

        Kenji sat down on the couch and rubbed his temples with a sigh. As he sat there, his eyes widened, and he looked up at her.

        "The other night," he said. "Usagi was supposed to be at the Temple... but she wasn't, was she?"

        Ikuko stared at him for a moment, then shook her head.

        "Oh, gods," he groaned. "And just how long has that been going on?"

        "Do you really want to know?" she asked.

        He looked up at her again. "No. I guess not," he said softly. "But you knew about this?"

        She sat down beside him. "Yes, I knew," she said. "As I said, I would rather know where she is and have her feel she can trust us."

        "But, isn't this taking it a little far? Letting her spend the night with him?"

        "I was only sixteen when I first spent the night with you," she reminded him.

        "There's a big difference between fourteen and sixteen," he interrupted.

        "In many cases, yes," she admitted. "But my mother caught on right away, and she gave me the same choice I gave Usagi: keep her informed or she would put a stop to it."

        Kenji looked at her. "I'd never heard that before," he said quietly.

        "And I'm told that when my father first found out, he didn't take it much better than you have," she said.

        "Let me guess. Your mother backed him into a corner."

        "Of course not," Ikuko said with a smile. "I'm sure she just calmly explained to him the error of his ways."

        Kenji shook his head ruefully. "So... what do we do now? Apparently we're letting them go ahead with this."

        "As long as they both continue to be responsible about it, I see no reason not to," she said. "And we can still keep an eye on her and how things are progressing."

        "Am I supposed to just pretend to like this whole thing?" he asked.

        "No, you don't have to do that," she said. "But I do hope you will at least go along with it... for Usagi's sake."

        He sat there, a resigned expression on his face. Finally, he nodded.

        She leaned over and gave him a hug. "I'm very proud of you, dear."

        Later that afternoon, Ikuko knocked gently on Usagi's door and stepped into her room.

        "Hi, Mom," Usagi said, sitting on her bed.

        "Usagi, we need to talk," Ikuko said, closing the door behind her.

        "What is it?" Usagi asked uncertainly.

        "Your father and I have been talking about your relationship with Mamoru."

        Usagi felt a wave of concern run through her. "Really?"

        Ikuko sat down on the edge of the bed, a stern expression on her face. "Your father is still very concerned that you're too young."

        "But, Mom!" Usagi protested.

        Ikuko raised her hand. "Now, Usagi," she interrupted. "Your father is concerned, but we have decided to let you continue to see him."

        "That's great!" Usagi exclaimed, overjoyed.

        "There are a few conditions to this," Ikuko said. "First, we still expect to know where you are. You can stay with him, within reason, but this is not permission for you to just move in with him. You have to keep us informed."

        Usagi nodded, trying to keep her excitement under control.

        "Second, you have to keep up your studies," Ikuko continued. "Your grades have been improving lately, and we expect to see that continue. If your grades slip, then we have to put a stop to this; no arguments."

        "I understand," Usagi said softly.

        "Above all, we want you both to be responsible about this," Ikuko said. "As long as you are, we shouldn't have any reason to be concerned, but it's up to the two of you to make sure of that."

        Usagi threw her arms around her mother and gave her a hug. "Thanks, Mom. Thanks so much! You won't have anything to worry about. You'll see."

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NOTE: Thanks again to everyone who has responded with feedback. I appreciate hearing readers' comments. Still more to come.

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.

-08.29.2001