Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ That Special Magic ❯ Back to Tokyo ( Chapter 59 )

        Tsukino Kenji sat at the table as the editorial meeting progressed. A notepad was in front of him, filled with notes. He flipped the page as the international editor sat back in his chair. "So... twelve pages, Kondo-san?" 

        The international editor checked his notes again and nodded. "Yes, Tsukino-san. Twelve pages."

        Kenji nodded, scribbling another note. "Next is politics. Yamashita-san?"

        Yamashita frowned, reviewing his notes once more. "It's difficult to say, Tsukino-san. The prime minister is expected to announce a cabinet shuffle after the coalition parties finish their leadership caucuses. As late as last week, the expert opinion was that the coalition was finished and we were looking at early elections. Now, however, sources are saying the prime minister has actually arranged a deal with several of the smaller parties to guarantee he can hold a narrow majority even if the main dissidents in the coalition bolt. The only question now will be just how much of a majority the coalition can hold, and how the cabinet shuffle will play out."

        "When do you expect the announcement?" Kenji asked.

        Yamashita sighed. "No one is willing to say, Tsukino-san. The two main dissident parties within the coalition thought they were in a position to force concessions from the prime minister, or to force him to resign, leaving them as king-makers for his successor. Now they feel the prime minister has pulled a fast one to reverse the situation so completely. Their leaders know they have no choice but to go along if they want to remain players in the government, but the members are not happy."

        "The prime minister wants to give them ample time to blow off steam," Kenji said.

        "Just so," Yamashita agreed. He paused for a moment, considering. "I may regret this... but it seems unlikely they would make an announcement within the next few days..."

        "Especially since the foreign minister is meeting with his counterparts from the Asia-Pacific Conference in Vancouver," Kondo interjected. "He is not due back until next week."

        "A very good point, Kondo-san," Yamashita said. "I think we can assume there will be no announcement before then, Tsukino-san." He checked his notes once more. "We have the caucus meetings, the review of the government's policy agenda, and the possible adjustments that may result from this... Eight pages I think for politics."

        Kenji nodded in acknowledgment, making a note. "Thank you... And next is lifestyles. Ito-san?"

        The woman leaned forward, setting down a pair of wire rimmed glasses. She was quite diminutive of stature, and seemed more like a middle-age housewife. In fact, however, she was one of the older members of the editorial staff, with nearly thirty years of journalistic experience. She had caught countless politicians in lies, could converse intelligently with the top health experts and PhD's in the country, kept up to date on the latest trends in both fashion and music, and had organized a small, but highly skilled staff of reporters for her department. "Seven pages, Tsukino-san," she declared matter-of-factly. "First, starting with something pleasant, the marketing expositions for the winter sporting season are just opening. Second, and of more serious nature, the Health Ministry is waffling again on its commitment to approve the contraceptive pill for women. The core of support the prime minister is depending on just now rests heavily on women voters."

        "Is this news or editorial, Ito-san?" Kenji asked, raising an eyebrow.

        "News," Ito answered unhesitatingly. "The prime minister made a pledge in the last election to finally get the contraceptive pill past the endless parade of committees and study groups, and have it approved for doctors to prescribe. If his government is abandoning that now..."

        Kenji nodded. "I understand." He then glanced down at Yamashita with a wry grin. "I assume your department has its hands too full to be involved in the political aspects of this one?"

        Yamashita frowned and shifted position uncomfortably. "Ah, yes... I'm afraid so, Tsukino-san... Although I have full confidence that Ito-san's department can cover this at least well as mine."

        "At least," Ito scoffed softly.

        Kenji looked at each sternly. He was younger than either Yamashita or Ito, but they both accepted his authority. "You have more, Ito-san?"

        Ito nodded. "One more, and related to the second in a way. We've been doing a study on a sudden rise in the teen pregnancy rate."

        Kenji looked up from his notebook in surprise, struggling to conceal his reaction.

        "In spite of the threat of sexually transmitted disease, it seems the practice of safe-sex is becoming increasingly 'unfashionable' among our youth," Ito continued.

        "You said you were focusing on teen pregnancy?" Kenji asked.

        "Yes, Tsukino-san," Ito answered. "We've been following several girls. The oldest of them are in the tenth grade. The youngest in the eighth."

        Kenji fought back a start, while several of the others expressed surprise and disbelief.

        "It seems to be increasingly common for even Junior High School girls to be having sexual relations with their boyfriends," Ito said, her voice remaining matter-of-fact. "The fact of it is not new. We're just seeing it in greater numbers, and with that, more frequent occurrences of the consequences."

        "And these girls you followed?" Kenji asked.

        "They provide an example of what girls have to look forward to becoming pregnant at that age," Ito said. "A majority took the usual way out... abortion." She glanced around the table. "Of these, all but one said she didn't dare tell her parents, and slipped away to have the operation done secretly."

        Kenji saw the uncomfortable reactions of several of his male colleagues who, like him, had teenage daughters.

        "Most of these have now learned the hard way that abortion is not the simple, 'one minute you have it, the next you don't' procedure that teen culture likes to present it as. Two of the girls in particular are struggling with the psychological scars of the procedure. And one of them is receiving no real positive support from her family," Ito said. "Another girl suffered a miscarriage at ten weeks, and has discovered that her now ex-boyfriend gave her a sexually transmitted disease. This particular STD is not fatal, but has robbed the girl, barely sixteen, of the ability to ever have children again."

        Soft muttering swept around the table.

        "Two of the girls who chose to go through with their pregnancies were actually thrown out by their parents, told they had brought shame on their families," Ito continued with a scowl. "They are now in shelters, safe for the moment, but their prospects are not particularly bright. Several others are at home with their families, attempting to raise their babies themselves. Others gave their babies up for adoption, but most of these are dealing with various forms of depression from this separation and what they've been through."

        "What about the fathers?" another of the editors asked.

        "In most cases, teenage boys," Ito said. "They are fathers in the strictly biological sense, but not in the more meaningful role of parent and provider. There was only one case that the father stayed with the girl."

        "What happened?" Kondo asked.

        "The young man is a college student and has reached the age of adulthood," Ito said. "The girl is fifteen. He proposed, and the girl's parents gave their consent. The couple was married three months ago."

        Kenji clenched his jaw, struggling with his own conflicting emotions on this particular subject.

        "They're certainly not in the best of circumstances," Ito said. "But the girl has the full support of her young man, now her husband, and both families are supporting them as best they can."

        "You are suggesting marriage is the answer?" one of the editors asked.

        "Of course not," Ito said. "The 'answer' is very complicated... which is why our political leaders want as little to do with it as possible."

        "A girl of fifteen is too young to make a choice like that," the same man declared, his voice full of certainty.

        "Oh really, Komura-san?" Ito challenged. "Then why does the law declare the age of consent to be thirteen, and permit marriage with parental consent?"

        Komura rolled his eyes. "I have never agreed with that approach, Ito-san. That is one area where I believe Western society is more enlightened, tying the age of consent much more closely to the age of adulthood, and establishing penalties for those having sexual relations with underage individuals."

        "Have you looked at the teen pregnancy figures in the United States recently, Komura-san?" Ito replied. "By percentage, they are much higher than here, and that in a culture that is much less open and accepting of human sexuality than our own. You truly see that as an improvement?"

        "I don't see it an improvement that a young girl is married to the person who is solely responsible for her becoming pregnant..."

        "It takes two to tango," Ito interrupted.

        Several sniggers were heard.

        "And suppose it was your daughter, Komura-san?" Ito asked.

        "I would never let things progress that far," Komura declared.

        "You might not be able to," Kenji said quietly. "It's quite likely that the first you'll really learn of it is when it is too late to stop it."

        The others looked at him.

        "What Tsukino-san says is very true," Ito said. "Most of the girls we followed for this story did not share the true extent of their relationships with their parents until after they became pregnant."

        "But as to your earlier question, Ito-san, I think most of us recall that the law allowing underage marriage is a relic of the once very common practice of arranged marriages," Kenji said. "It has no actual legal relationship with the age of consent."

        Most of the others glanced at each other in mild surprise.

        Ito nodded, a faintly curious smile on her face. "You are very well informed on this subject, Tsukino-san. You are correct on both points, and the article does provide a brief explanation of that."

        Before the others could respond further, Kenji leaned forward. "Does this story draw particular conclusions, either to issues of policy or to personal or family conduct?"

        "I presume you mean in terms of recommending a particular policy or course of conduct as being better than another, in which case the answer is no," she replied. "As I just indicated, a brief overview of the current law is given as it relates to this, and we give an overview of each of the options, with both pros and cons, that the girls we followed have pursued. The article's purpose is only to bring to light the facts of this situation."

        Kenji nodded. "Thank you, Ito-san." He glanced back at his notepad, still struggling to maintain his role as managing editor. "Uhm, next I believe is Metro Tokyo. Tanaka-san?"

        Tanaka, another of the younger men at the table flipped open his notebook. "Thank you, Tsukino-san. I would request four pages, although I have nothing of such social impact as Ito-san's last article, I'm afraid."

        The thriving metropolis, one of the largest and most crowded on the planet, had lost none of its noise and vitality. The air was heavy with the odors of industry and development, quite a change after more than a week of the sweet-scented breezes of Hawaii. The Senshi and their companions stood together in a secluded corner of the park, having just been transported there by the power of the ginzuishou, while one of Atana's spells assured that they would not be noticed.

        "It feels... different somehow," Rei said softly.

        "That's because the powerful concentrations of dark magic have been removed," Atana said. "Now we're feeling just the regular magic that has always been here."

        "Always been here?" Makoto asked.

        Atana nodded. "Tokyo sits on a very powerful point of natural magic," he said. "If I remember right, it was a center for wizards even in the time of the Moon Kingdom."

        "Yes," Akari agreed. "I recall Julianna, Prince Endymion's mother, mentioning the order of wizards that was based here."

        Ryo nodded in understanding. "That explains a lot," he said, seeing the others looking at him questioningly. "When Tokugawa Ieyasu became shogun in 1600, he established his seat here in what was then called Edo. But Edo was just a small outpost on an open plain and backing up to the large bay. It had none of the defensive potential of the Imperial seat at Kyoto or the previous civil and military capital at Kamakura. Edo quickly grew to become Japan's largest city as all the elements of civil government were concentrated here, but the question has always remained as to just why the first Tokugawa shogun chose to make his capital here. This magic point, however, is probably the answer to that riddle."

        "You mean magic was part of their power?" Minako asked.

        "It seems likely," Ryo agreed.

        "But if I remember my history correctly, the Tokugawa shogunate finally collapsed when the other feudal clans rebelled against the increasingly inefficient rule from Edo," Geoff said.

        "Actually, the conflict was over whether to open Japan to trade and interaction with foreigners," Ami said. "The other major clans were opposed, while the Tokugawas took the more realistic view that it was inevitable. The shogun played for time by taking the highly unusual step of seeking approval from the emperor in Kyoto."

        "But the emperor of that time opposed the opening," Ryo added. "And later, when one of the shoguns died childless, one of the claimants sought imperial backing for his claim. All of this convinced the other feudal lords that they didn't really need the Tokugawas. And when a young and vigorous new emperor took the throne in 1867, the other clans sided with him. Before the year was out, the shogun had resigned his office and imperial rule had been restored."

        "So... are you saying the emperor Meiji had a more powerful magic than the last shogun?" Rei asked. "I know the imperial family was said to be descended from the sun goddess, but the emperor Showa declared that claim was just a myth."

        "Showa?" Atana asked, puzzled.

        "Hirohito," Geoff said. "Showa was his reign-name. It means 'enlightened peace'."

        "It has long been custom to refer to the emperor during his reign and after his death only by the name of his reign," Shinozaki said.

        "I don't know much about magic," Ryo said. "But Tokugawa Ieyasu's direct line died out, and the position of shogun passed among several other branches of the family. They sometimes fought over it."

        "Now we're making some sense," Rei said. "The internal family conflicts must have cost them the state of harmony necessary to tap the magic here. The emperor Meiji, or someone close to him, was probably quite adept, allowing the restorationist movement to succeed."

        "I guess that's possible," Ryo said, not sounding entirely convinced.

        "But I also suspect this powerful magic was what caused all of you to start your new lives here," Atana said.

        "And it might also have been what brought the Dark Kingdom here," Mamoru said. "I doubt it was just coincidence that Beryl's youma started appearing at just the location where the Senshi were."

        "But they didn't appear here first," Minako reminded them. "I was facing them in England before that."

        "England was the home of Merlin, the most powerful known wizard in Earth's history," Atana said. "There are several strong magic points there, but the Dark Kingdom's magic seemed to better attune with this one. Most likely, they tried the ones in England, found themselves opposed by Sailor V, and so switched their attack to Tokyo."

        "Well, I'm just glad they're beaten," Usagi said quietly. "Now we can all go home."

        "But what about our families?" Rei asked. "I mean, I still don't know what I'm going to tell my grandfather. He certainly wasn't expecting me to be gone this long."

        "Nor were my parents," Ryo admitted.

        Atana shifted his feet and coughed. "Uhm, well... I may have, ah, overstepped my bounds a bit... but I arranged a solution to that, you might say."

        "Atana!" Rei exclaimed. "What have you done?"

        "I cast a spell, drawing on the energy here," he said. "Just as Usagi washed away the remaining Dark Kingdom magic, this one simply leaves everyone who knows each of you accepting that you happened to be away when the earthquake hit, and they're grateful for that."

        "But I've already talked with my father," Minako said. "He knows I was in Hawaii."

        "The spell won't change that," Atana said. "If your family was already accepting of your story, this won't change it."

        "So, my grandfather is just going to accept that I was away for over a week?" Rei asked, her voice showing a hint of displeasure.

        Atana nodded. "That's right, beautiful."

        Rei scowled. "You might have at least told me before you did it."

        "Yes," Usagi agreed. "I'm sure your motives were good, Atana, but this type of action is something the Sailor Senshi have always been against. It is not our place to dictate how other people live their lives."

        "I know," Atana said. "And I'm sorry. But in this life, you've also decided to keep your identities secret. Just disappearing for over a week would raise some extremely difficult questions for at least some of you."

        "Atana is correct," Luna said. "I must agree with Rei that he should have at least informed you all in advance, but I think that his action was basically appropriate since it allows you to retain your private lives without awkward questions. At the same time, his spell was very restrained, not imposing any reactions on your families that are not in character." She turned to see Usagi starting to object. "I know you don't care for this Usagi, but in this case there is not the luxury of an easy solution. Atana has acted in a very non-intrusive manner to protect the secret of you and your friends."

        "I think she's right, Usako," Mamoru said softly.

        Usagi sighed and nodded.

        Rei's frown also softened, and she slipped her hand into Atana's. "I do appreciate your effort," she said.

        Atana kissed her. "I'm sorry for not telling you before. I should have."

        Mamoru and Usagi reappeared in their apartment with Luna in a silver-white glow.

        "Happy to be home, Usako?" Mamoru asked.

        Usagi nodded, smiling. "Our home, Mamo-chan," she sighed, turning to kiss him. "It's still such a wonderful thought."

        "Yes, it is," he agreed. "But now we both have to return to classes and get caught up."

        She frowned. "I know," she said softly. "And I don't get to pretend I'm your wife anymore."

        He took her in his arms and kissed her. "We knew this would happen, my princess," he said. "But I think we both enjoyed the time that we did have for it."

        She nodded. "It was so wonderful, Mamo-chan... and it just seemed so right."

        "Yes, it did," he agreed.

        Luna flicked her tail and walked down the hall toward the bedroom that had been set up for her. "I'll leave you two alone," she muttered.

        "Alright, Luna," Usagi acknowledged.

        "You should probably call your mother to let her know we're back," Mamoru said.

        "You're right," Usagi agreed.

        A bright glow filled the living room of Atana's apartment, fading to reveal Atana, Rei, Kara, and Akari.

        "We're back," Atana said, embracing his daughter.

        "I wish we could have stayed at home," Kara muttered.

        "But you like your friends at school," Atana reminded her.

        Kara frowned, then nodded hesitantly. "I guess so."

        "And I'm sure they'll be glad to see you again," Rei added.

        Kara nodded again, then looked up at Rei. "You're staying here? Right, Mommy?"

        Rei glanced at Atana, then crouched down and embraced Kara. "I don't think I can tonight, honey."

        "But, Mommy..."

        "Now, Kara," Atana interrupted.

        The little girl looked up at him uncertainly.

        "She's been with us for over a week," Atana continued. "But now she has to go back to her grandfather."

        "I don't want you to go," Kara cried softly, throwing her arms around Rei's neck.

        "I have to, honey," Rei said, embracing the little girl. "But I'll see you again tomorrow."

        The girl continued to cling to Rei.

        Atana placed a hand on Kara's shoulder. "Come on, honey. You'll see her tomorrow."

        Kara sniffled and nodded, holding Rei's hand.

        Rei kissed the little girl, then stood up and turned to Akari. "Are you staying here for long, Mother?"

        Akari shook her head. "I'm afraid not. Even with Usagi's help, I am increasingly being pulled away from the realm of mortals. The strong magic of this place helps a little, but I can tell I am now on borrowed time."

        Rei embraced her mother. "I am glad to have had at least this time together." She blinked back a tear.

        "So am I," Akari said softly. "I am very proud of you, and I'm glad to see you so happy."

        "Thank you," Rei said. She looked over at Atana. "I am very happy... But I will miss you."

        Akari smiled. "Oh, I'm not leaving just yet, dear. There is still one more thing I want to do while I'm here." Rei looked at her mother curiously, but received only an enigmatic smile.

        Geoff and Minako materialized in his apartment. Books were spilled across the floor where his lightweight bookcase had collapsed, apparently as a result of the earthquake. The desk lamp affixed to the corner of his computer desk had also fallen off.

        "What a mess," Minako remarked.

        Geoff nodded, his eyes stopping on a crack in the drywall that ran halfway down the exterior wall. "I think I'm more worried about that crack right now."

        She looked at it, her eyes widening. "Is it serious?"

        "I don't know," he said. "But I'm going to call the building manager and have this looked at. First, we should check to see if there's anything else wrong."

        She stepped into the kitchen. "Geoff," she called. "Most of the cans and packaged food tumbled out of the pantry."

        He hurried in behind her. "What about the cabinets over the sink?" he asked. "Any cracks where they hang from the ceiling?"

        "I don't see any," she said.

        They both carefully examined the kitchen, then walked through the rest of the apartment.

        "Well, I think we came off fairly lightly," he finally said. "The bookcase and some broken light bulbs I can replace. But structural damage is something I don't want to mess with."

        "They haven't closed the building," Minako pointed out.

        Geoff nodded. "But I still want to have the maintenance guy look at that crack before I think about trying to patch it myself."

        Makoto and Shinozaki appeared in her apartment. As they looked around, they saw that a clock had fallen off the wall, along with the pictures she had had hanging. In the kitchen, her pots and frying pans had spilled out of the cupboard, but had been stacked on the counter.

        "Who cleaned this up?" she wondered.

        "Mako-chan," he called from the living room. "There's a note here from Togo-san, your neighbor."

        She returned the living room. "He was the one who came in?"

        "He said the front window shattered and he had it replaced for you," Shinozaki said, reading the note. "But he only picked up the big pieces of glass and recommends you vacuum the carpet around the window."

        She nodded. "I need to thank him, and see how much it cost." She reached for her purse and headed for the door.

        Shinozaki set down the note and followed her.

        Makoto led him to the next apartment, and she pressed the door bell button. "Togo-san?" she called.

        There was a click as the door was unlocked, and they were greeted by a tall, grey-haired man, perhaps in his mid-fifties. "Yes?... Ah, Kino-san. Asagiri-san. Welcome home. I trust you enjoyed your trip?"

        "Yes. We had a great time," she said. "I wanted to thank you for taking care of my window."

        Togo waved his hand. "It was no trouble, Kino-san. And after you provided us such wonderful meals when my wife was ill last spring..."

        Makoto smiled and nodded. "It was my pleasure to be able to help, Togo-san. Did you have any damage from the earthquake?"

        He shook his head. "Thankfully nothing serious. Like you, we lost a window, and most of our shelves and bookcases were upset, but that was just an inconvenience."

        "I'm glad to hear that neither of you were hurt," Makoto said. "But how much do I owe you for the window?"

        "You don't need to worry about that, Kino-san..."

        "Please, Togo-san," Makoto interrupted. "I appreciate your generosity, but I can't allow you to bear that cost yourself."

        Togo sighed. "Very well. Please do come in."

        Makoto and Shinozaki followed him inside, stopping in Togo's entryway.

        "My wife has gone to the market," Togo said as he walked to his desk. He shuffled through some papers, soon pulling out one in particular. "Here is the receipt for your window, Kino-san. I presume your insurance will reimburse you for the cost."

        "It should," she agreed. She glanced at the total on the receipt, then pulled out her wallet. Counting out several bills, she handed him the money. "Here you are, Togo-san. Thank you again."

        "You are quite welcome," Togo said. "Thank you for stopping by, Kino-san. Asagiri-san. And I'm pleased to hear you had a nice time on your trip."

        "Thank you," Makoto said.

        "Yes. Thank you," Shinozaki said, bowing.

        Makoto bowed as Shinozaki opened the door. "Please tell your wife we are sorry we missed her, Togo-san. And we appreciate you both keeping an eye on my apartment while we were gone."

        Togo bowed in return. "It was our pleasure, Kino-san. Good bye."

        "Good bye," Makoto said.

        As the door closed, Makoto and Shinozaki turned back to her apartment.

        "That was very nice of him to do that," he said.

        She nodded. "I hate to think about coming home to find the window gone and who knows what other damage."

        He opened the door for her. "After you, my beautiful lady."

        She grinned and stepped inside. "You should probably call your parents," she said as they stepped inside.

        He nodded. "Yes. I tried to call them in Hokkaido from Atana's but there was no answer."

        Rei entered the family quarters at the Hickawa Temple, having already called her grandfather on the telephone.

        "Grandfather," she called.

        The older man emerged from a back room. "Rei! Welcome home. How was your trip? Did you enjoy yourself?"

        "Oh, yes. I had a great time," Rei said. "Did you have any damage from the earthquake?"

        He waved his hand and shook his head. "Of course not," he laughed. "If the great quake of 1923 or the American bombers in '44 and '45 couldn't destroy the temple, a little shaker like that one certainly wouldn't do much harm."

        "I'm glad to hear it," she said, her relief evident. "I, ah, I had tried to call... but I couldn't get through."

        He nodded. "The phones were out for a while," he said. "And Yuuichirou helped me organize volunteers to take supplies out to those who needed them, so we were quite busy for the first few days afterward."

        She frowned. "I'm sorry I wasn't here to help."

        He shook his head. "You were meant to be elsewhere at that moment, granddaughter. Do not feel sorry for what was not meant to be."

        "Well, I'm glad you weren't hurt," Rei said, turning toward her room.

        "How is your American friend?" he asked.

        Rei froze, then turned back to face him. "Oh, he's fine," she said. "And so is his daughter."

        He nodded, his eyes watching her closely. "I'm glad to hear it. I've noticed you've grown rather close to both of them."

        She hesitated. "Uhm, yes. I guess you could say that." As she stood there, she saw a movement in the hallway behind him. "But, ah, I think there is someone else who wants to see you... and I really should get unpacked." She gave her grandfather a hug. "I love you." She then turned and headed for her room.

        Hirano Masahiko watched his granddaughter leave, then sighed and turned. His eyes widened as he found himself looking at his daughter, standing there in the flesh. He blinked in surprise, but his own expanded senses confirmed this was real. "Rika?" he gasped.

        "Hello, father," she said, no longer in the form of Akari of Mars. "I'm glad to see you are so well. You've done a remarkable job bringing up Rei. I must thank you. She's turned into a truly wonderful young woman."

        "Yes, she has," he agreed. "But... I never expected to see you again... at least not like this."

        "Neither did I," she said, nodding. "But... a very rare opportunity appeared, allowing me to see Rei again."

        "I see," he said softly.

        She stepped closer. "But Rei has also grown up to a considerable extent."

        "Yes. I know," he said. "And her destiny is tied to this young American... just as yours was to that worthless bastard."

        She nodded. "But Atana Magi is a far, far better man than Hino Tadamichi."

        "True," he agreed. "If only she were not still so young."

        She smiled as she looked at him. "I seem to recall someone telling me it was a 'wisdom of the ancients' that things happen when they are meant to, not when we would like them... Only now are you even becoming close to being considered one of the 'ancients', dear father."

        He grinned sheepishly and laughed. "I never could fool you, daughter... nor Rei either. You are so very much alike." He looked up to see her still gazing at him silently. "Am I supposed to just let her go with him? As young as she is?"

        She sighed. "We each must find our own way, father. You taught me that as well. It is not my place to tell you what you must do. But this concerns not only Rei, but Atana and his daughter."

        He frowned and nodded, having been torn by this for some time.

        She gasped softly, feeling her connection to the mortal world suddenly growing much weaker. "My time here is nearly at an end, father. I must be going."

        He looked up, a part of him reluctant to let her go so soon, but understanding that she was right. "I am immeasurably happy to have been able to see you again, even so briefly as this," he said quietly. "I love you, my daughter... and if you should encounter your mother's spirit..."

        She nodded, struggling to hold herself there. "I understand," she said. "And I love you, father. And Rei... But now, I must go... Farewell, father."

        "Goodbye, daughter," he called.

        She walked outside and among the trees. Her appearance shafted, changing from Hirano Rika back to Princess Akari of Mars. She looked up at the trees, sensing the powerful magic of this enormous city, but feeling herself being powerfully drawn away from the world. Relaxing her concentration, she accepted that her time here was now ended, and faded away.

        Ami and Ryo stepped off the bus, having just returned from his parents' house.

        "That went quite well," Ami said. "I guess Atana's spell must have really worked."

        Ryo nodded. "Yes, even though the idea of being gone for ten days for an academic competition is pretty ridiculous, you know."

        "I know," she agreed. "But from what they said, it sounded to me like they thought we had taken some time off for ourselves after the competition."

        "I'm sure that is what they think," he said. "My mom has become like yours lately, as far as saying she doesn't want me to bury myself so much in my studies. Since Mom and Dad don't object to us living together, I suspect they'd be quite happy with the idea of us taking a vacation together."

        Ami pulled him into her embrace and kissed him. "We're both pretty lucky, you know, having such accepting parents."

        He nodded. "Yes, we are."

        "And I love you so much," she said, kissing him again.

        "I love you," he said softly, enjoying the feel of her in his arms.

        "Now, there's still the question of where my mother is," Ami said. "She's obviously been home, and there wasn't any noticeable damage from the earthquake, but I would have thought she'd be home."

        Ryo shrugged. "I don't know, darling. My psychic senses have been rather clouded of late. I haven't seen anything in particular, I'm afraid."

        As they approached Ami's house, they noticed a light was on upstairs.

        "She must be home," Ami said.

        "It looks that way," he agreed. "We didn't leave any lights on when we left earlier."

        They reached her house and she unlocked the door. As they removed their shoes, they saw a light from the kitchen.

        "Mom?" Ami called.

        Receiving no response, they moved forward. Ryo tensed a bit, suddenly sensing something unusual.

        Just then, Noriko emerged from the kitchen, holding a bottle of wine and wearing a filmy negligee. Ryo flushed and turned away.

        "Mom!" Ami exclaimed.

        "Ami!" Noriko gasped. "I, uhm, I guess, ah, I wasn't expecting you back, uh, so soon."

        "Noriko?" a male voice called from upstairs. "Is there a problem."

        "Ah, no," Noriko called. "No problem, Toshiro. I, uhm, I'll be right up."

        "Toshiro?" Ami asked softly, raising an eyebrow and grinning. "So... just who is this young man? Is he proper and respectable? Can I trust him with my mother?"

        "Ami!" Noriko exclaimed. "Those are questions I'm supposed to ask you, not the other way around."

        "Is it serious?" Ami asked, giggling softly.

        Noriko rolled her eyes. "As a matter of fact, yes. I think it is," she said. "But we are not having this conversation right now." She turned and headed toward the stairs.

        Ami continued to giggle. "Have fun, Mom. I'm very happy for you... Just be careful."

        Noriko looked back at Ami for moment with a frown. "Goodnight, Ami," she said. "Goodnight, Ryo."

        "Uhm, goodnight, Noriko-san," Ryo said.

        "Goodnight, Mom," Ami said, as her mother walked up the stairs. She then turned to Ryo. "Well, I guess she's been having a good time while we were away."

        "Uhm, I guess so," Ryo said, still a bit embarrassed by the situation.

        Ami giggled again. "But I am glad she seems to be happy."

        "You don't mind?" he asked.

        "No. Why should I?"

        "Well... I've heard that children of single parents often have trouble with it when the parent starts seeing somebody new," Ryo said.

        Ami shook her head as she and Ryo started upstairs. "I don't have a problem with it," she said. "Mom's given up so much for me and for her career. It's about time she did something for herself."

        He opened the door to their room. "I'm glad you're taking it so well, my beautiful girl genius."

        They stepped inside and she closed the door behind them, then slipped her arms around his neck. "Well, I have the most wonderful boyfriend," she sighed, kissing him. "It would be nice to see Mom as happy as I am."

        He nodded. "And you make me very happy too."

        "I'm glad, my love." She kissed him again.

        Mamoru switched off the lights in their apartment. A light remained on in Luna's room, but he knew Luna and Artemis were discussing something. Returning to their bedroom, he found his beautiful future bride already in bed. He removed his robe and slipped into bed next to her.

        "I love you, Mamo-chan," she sighed, snuggling close to him and draping her arm across his chest.

        "I love you, Usako," he said. He slid an arm along the bare flesh of her back. "I guess we were very fortunate. The earthquake didn't do any noticeable damage."

        "Yes," she agreed. "Minako called. Books and cans were scattered across the floor of Geoff's apartment and he had a crack in the wall."

        "Was it serious?" he asked, concerned.

        "No. Geoff called his building's maintenance person, and was told it was just a crack in the drywall," Usagi said. "I guess Geoff plans to patch it himself."

        "Well, that's good," he said.

        She nodded. "Makoto said she had a window knocked out, but her neighbor replaced it for her."

        "That was nice," he said. "This must be a very good neighbor."

        "Apparently he was looking after Makoto's apartment while she was away," she said.

        "How about your parents? Did your mother mention anything when you talked with her?"

        "She said they lost a window, but that was about it," she said. "Part of the ceiling in Daddy's office came down but he wasn't hurt."

        "That's good," he said. "I talked with Kobayashi. He said the only Chiba losses were two warehouses lost to fire. One of them was empty at the time, and insurance will cover both. He was aware of some employees being injured in the quake, but didn't know of anyone being killed. I asked him to let me know if he learns of any deaths."

        "What will happen to the injured employees?" Usagi asked.

        "Well, I don't know how badly any of them were injured," he said. "But our companies have always believed in taking care of our employees if at all possible."

        "That's so nice of you, Mamo-chan," she said.

        "It's not my doing, Usako," he said. "That was a custom my grandfather started when he first began building his business empire. Even in today's weak economy, Kobayashi and the board have remained determined to uphold that. I am glad they've been able to."

        Usagi leaned up and kissed his cheek, then settled her head back on his shoulder. "You are such a wonderful man."

        "And I'm in love with the most beautiful and incredible woman," he said. "You are everything to me."

        "And you're everything to me," she said softly. "You and our baby."

        He smiled again at the knowledge of the product of their love growing within her, and that he had found the joy of family with this beautiful, incredibly loving young woman. "I love you, Mrs. Chiba," he whispered, deliberately using the English form.

        She grinned happily. "I love you, Mr. Chiba."

* * * * * * * * * * * *
NOTE: Only in the last five years or so has the birth control pill been legalized in Japan. At the time that "Sailor Moon" was running on Japanese television, the pill was not available for doctors to prescribe. As I briefly related in this chapter, the pill languished for decades in various government committees where, for the predominantly male politicians and doctors, it was considered both a low priority and, despite many years of successful use in the West, still entirely unproven. 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.

-04.20.2003