Winter Fantasy
Author's Note: This story follows my earlier story entitled
"Best Friends". I'm not sure how much sense this story will
make if you haven't read that one, but hopefully it stands on its
own.
---------------
Hino Rei sat across the room from her friends, watching quietly
as they discussed their plans for the big night. The Winter
Formal would take place the next day and everyone else was quite
excited. Rei sighed and wished that Ami was there. Ami
understood what it was like to be on the outside looking in, even
though in this situation, that would not have been the case.
Though the distance spanned only a few feet, Rei could feel the
gap between her and the three before her. Usagi being
preoccupied with her "Mamo-chan" was typical, though still
painful. Minako and Makoto in love was a new development,
however. Rei doubted that Minako had admitted that it was love
yet, but the signs were there. Mikos were supposed to notice
these things, after all. Rei thought it ironic that the Senshi
of Love would be the last to figure out that she herself was
falling head over heels.
Still, watching Minako fawn over a boy was only strange in its
degree of seriousness. Makoto in love was something quite
different. Rei had been as happy as anyone when Makoto and Ami
had realized their feelings for each other. She took pride in
her small part in helping that process along. Truly, she had
never seen the two of them as happy as they were now. That, of
course, brought Rei great joy. While Makoto had fawned over boys
in her day, she'd never been so...giddy.. before.
'Maybe it's harder to watch her because she's in love with a
woman, too,' Rei mused, before turning, as usual, to Usagi.
Despite her lack of attention to the conversation, Rei could tell
that Usagi was describing her gown and theorizing about what
Mamoru might wear. Rei and Naru had had so much fun helping
Usagi shop for the Formal. At times, Rei had gotten so caught up
in the excitement that she'd forgotten to be upset or jealous.
Naru. Rei did not know what to make of Naru. Before that
fateful night when Naru had stopped in at the shrine, Rei had
quite successfully hidden away her feelings for her best friend.
Somehow, in that brief conversation, all of those old wounds had
been torn open. At the same time, however, the knowledge that
she was not alone, that someone else suffered the same way she
did, brought some comfort to Rei. At first, that had been why
she'd insisted that Usagi invite Naru along whenever they went
out. Somehow, shared grief, even when the sharing remained
unacknowledged, was easier to bear.
Since then, however, Rei had realized that she enjoyed Naru's
company for reasons other than their common, unrequited love. In
fact, they all just had a lot of fun together. Rei and Naru made
each other laugh, usually at poor Usagi's expense. They both had
their feet on the ground, their practical natures complimenting
Usagi's fanciful moods quite well. Naru surprised Rei with her
quick intelligence, a feature of her personality that was all too
often obscured by her insecurities. She had a sharp mind for
business; obviously her apprenticeship in her mother's jewelry
store was serving her well. Rei enjoyed making Naru smile, making
her feel good about herself.
"Moon to Mars, come in Mars!" Usagi waved a hand in front of
Rei's face, yanking her back to the present. Seeing Rei re-focus
her attention on her, Usagi asked, "Geez, Rei-chan, what were you
thinking so hard about?"
"Naru-chan," Rei answered quietly. Usagi's eyes widened, but Rei
recovered quickly. "I was thinking that you should ask Naru-chan
to come tomorrow night, too. I'll need all the help I can get
getting that meatball hair of yours under control!"
Usagi smiled slowly. "That's a great idea, Rei-chan. I'll call
her tonight."
"I wish I had someone to help me get ready," Minako complained.
"With Rei helping Usagi and Makoto and Ami helping each other,
I'm left with no one."
"What am I, chopped liver?" Artemis asked, padding over from the
window where he'd been lying in a sunbeam.
Minako reached down to scratch him behind the ears, "I'm sorry,
Artemis, I know you and Luna will help as best you can. Hey
Mako-chan, where is Ami anyway?"
"One guess," Makoto sighed. "Studying. Some things never
change." Everyone laughed fondly.
"So, did she really rent a limo?" Usagi asked Makoto, with just a
trace of jealousy in her voice. "Mamoru said that it would be
just as romantic to walk, but I think he was just being cheap!"
Rei poked Usagi admonishingly as Makoto answered. "She did, and
she's not going to help me get ready. She's going to go away and
then come back and pick up me, like a real date!" Makoto beamed
at her friends.
"Who is going to help you, then?" Rei asked.
"I asked Michiru to come by. They've been keeping my dress over
at their house, so Ami wouldn't see it ahead of time. Haruka is
going to drop Michiru off and take Ami to her place to help her
out. Then, Ami is going to come back to pick me up." Makoto
explained with a bright smile.
"That's so romantic!" Minako sighed wistfully. "Who knew that
Ami had it in her?"
"I knew!" Usagi insisted. "I caught her once in the school
library, during a study hall. She had a textbook in front of
her, but inside it, she was reading a trashy romance novel!"
Rei and Minako laughed while Makoto blushed sympathetically.
"She really is quite the romantic," Makoto admitted finally.
"And I don't mind one bit!"
As Minako, Makoto, and Usagi fell into a discussion of the
relative romanticism of their significant others, Rei once again
shifted out of the conversation. She lifted Artemis onto her
lap and idly petted him as he napped, staring out the window at
the bare trees outside.
------------
"Ouch!" Makoto yelped, jerking her head forward.
"If you wouldn't move around so much, it wouldn't hurt," Ami
chided her. "Now sit still and let me finish. I need to
get all these tangles out."
With a deep sigh, Makoto settled back into her place on the
floor. Ami sat on the edge of their bed behind her, patiently and
methodically combing out her long auburn hair. "Maybe I should
just cut it all off," Mako considered. "I wish I could just get
out of the shower and be done with it in a few minutes like you
can."
"Don't you dare!" Ami exclaimed in alarm, wrapping her fingers
protectively in the thick strands. "I love your hair just the
way it is. Now, I'm almost done, so be patient."
"You don't love it when it hangs down in your face and gets in
your eyes when we...oww! You did that on purpose!"
Ami smiled slyly, secure in the knowledge that Makoto wouldn't
dare turn to see her. "I love your hair all the time, even then,
now hold still!"
After a few more minutes, and only a couple more yelps from
Makoto, Ami declared her work complete. "There, all done. That
wasn't so bad, was it?"
Makoto ran her fingers through her hair once or twice. "I guess
not. Now, you'd better get out of here. I still have a lot of
work to do to get ready. My 'date' is due in an hour or two, you
know." The two of them moved out of the bedroom together toward
the entryway.
Picking up the duffle bag that waited by the door, Ami smiled at
her love. "I have two and a half hours, thank you. I still
think it is an awful lot of trouble for me to go away to get
ready and then have to come all the way back here." Makoto's
reply was forestalled by a knock at the door. Ami hefted the bag
over her shoulder and opened the door.
"Haruka is waiting for you downstairs, Ami-chan," Michiru
announced, gliding into the apartment carrying a long dress
covered by a plastic garment bag.
"Yes, shoo shoo!" Makoto added, waving Ami out of the door.
Stepping forward quickly, she kissed her girlfriend lightly on
the cheek. "I'll see you in a couple hours, my love."
With a happy smile for Makoto and a friendly bow for Michiru, Ami
departed.
Makoto left the foyer and found Michiru waiting for her in the
bedroom, peeling the garment bag carefully from the dress she
carried.
"Her eyes are going to melt when she sees you in this, Mako-
chan," Michiru promised.
"Thank you for helping me pick it out," Makoto replied shyly. "I
want to look extra special tonight."
"It is the Winter Formal," Michiru pointed out.
"Well, that, and..." Makoto paused. "You see, it was exactly one
month ago today that we first got together, the way we are now."
Michiru offered her congratulations, but could tell that there
was something else. She waited patiently for Makoto to continue.
"It's also the first time that we're...well...it's such a big
event. So... so..."
"Public?" Michiru offered.
"Yeah," Makoto sighed. "I'm not really scared, and I know Ami
isn't. Ami's never been one to care much about what other people
think or say about her, people that she doesn't know, that is.
I've tried to not worry about that kind of thing either. I know
that you and Haruka don't, and I could never be ashamed of being
with Ami, but..."
Michiru strode forward and laid a comforting arm around Makoto's
shoulders. "It's still hard, Mako-chan, I know. Just remember,
especially after everything you've fought in the past, nothing
else matters but your love for each other and your friends. The
people who matter most love and care for both of you and the
people who would criticize or mock you aren't worth your time."
Makoto offered Michiru a wan smile, "I know. It'll be fine, I'm
sure. It's not like we haven't danced together in public before
anyway. I don't suppose you could give me a hint about what Ami
will be wearing?"
"Of course not, no more than Haruka will tell her anything about
this dress. I can tell you that she put a lot of thought into it
and that Haruka helped her pick it out," Michiru informed her.
"Now, we'd better get started..."
------------------------
"So, are you ready for your big night?" Haruka asked as she drove
Ami to the house she and Michiru shared with Setsuna and Hotaru.
"I think so," Ami declared. "Mako is a little nervous, I think,
but once we get there, everything will be fine."
"People are going to be staring at you, pointing, snickering.
Are you ready for that, too?" Haruka gave Ami a challenging
look. She could recall all too clearly those first few times
when she and Michiru had appeared together in public, as a
couple. Only Michiru's calm disregard for anyone and anything
other than her had kept Haruka from getting into a brawl on more
than one occasion.
"None of that is new to me, or to her," Ami answered with a wry
smile. "Besides, it's not like we'll be there alone."
Haruka nodded, satisfied with the response, and refocused on the
road ahead. In the weeks since Ami and Makoto had realized their
feelings for one another, the two young women had come to rely
increasingly on Haruka and Michiru for support. The other senshi
were at the same time too close to the new couple and also too
far removed from their particular situation. Haruka and Michiru
provided the wisdom of experience with the clarity that can only
come from some distance.
Oddly enough, their initial relationships had flipped somehow.
Whereas before there had been stronger ties between Haruka and
Makoto, and likewise Ami and Michiru, now Haruka found herself
more drawn to Ami. Similarly, Michiru and Makoto had formed an
unlikely bond. All in all, Haruka appreciated having another
couple to spend time with that could understand all the different
aspects of their strange lives.
'She's not that much different than me,' Haruka noted, peeking at
Ami out of the corner of her eye. 'She is driven to succeed; she
is strong and determined, and confident in herself' Haruka
realized. True, Ami was not quite the extrovert Haruka could be,
nor did she have the 'attitude'. Thinking of their shopping
expedition, however, and the new outfit which awaited Ami brought
a quick laugh. 'No, not that much different at all.'
---------------
"Oooohhh, he'll be here any minute!" Usagi wailed, thrashing
about in her chair. "Are you guys almost done?"
"We'd be done already if you'd quit jerking your meatball head
all over the place!" Rei flared. She sat behind Usagi in the
young blonde's dorm room trying to finish off the braid she'd
been working at for the past fifteen minutes.
"Yeah, Usagi-chan, besides, it's good to keep a date waiting.
You don't want them to think that you're too anxious," Naru
added, putting the final touches on the other braid.
Usagi stuck her tongue out at the mirror in front of her, so her
two best friends would be sure to see. She was wearing a
beautiful blue evening gown which the three of them had spent the
better part of a week hunting down in seemingly every store in
Tokyo. Actually, they had found three. Usagi had insisted on
getting them all, arguing to Rei later that as a future queen,
she needed to begin working on her gown collection as soon as
possible. She had finally decided on the sapphire for tonight,
however, and now Rei and Naru were finishing up her hair,
interweaving matching blue ribbons into her braids.
"But, I haven't seen him..." Usagi moaned, trying to remain
still.
"...since last summer!" Naru and Rei shouted in unison. They
turned to each other and smiled.
"If I had 10 yen for each time I heard you say that," Rei
muttered. "There, done. Now, get your shoes on and get
downstairs."
"I still think you should wait up here," Naru suggested. She
sighed in defeat as Usagi leapt from her chair and grabbed her
shoes, dashing out the door before bothering to put them on.
"Thanks guys!" Usagi called out. "I don't know what I'd do
without you two. Have fun tonight!"
"You too," Naru replied to an empty doorway.
"I don't know what she'd do without us, either!" Rei agreed,
sitting down gently on Usagi's bed. Though Usagi's room wasn't
very large, it was a single and that was nothing to complain
about. She looked over at Naru, who stood staring at the door.
The three girls had spent almost every weekend together lately,
shopping, going to movies, etc. Spending time together without
Usagi would be new, however.
"It sure was lucky that Mamoru got back in time for the Formal,"
Naru pointed out, moving to sit across from Rei at Usagi's desk.
She didn't feel all that lucky, and was relatively sure that her
companion shared the feeling. Not for the first time, Naru let
her eyes linger over her new friend. Rei was probably the most
beautiful woman Naru had ever seen. True, she had met not one,
but all (she thought) of the Sailor Soldiers at one point or
another, but when she'd seen those women they'd been surrounded
by an aura, a glow of power and light that had obscured their
features. Thinking back, Naru could remember their sailor suits
in different colors and their long legs, but that was about it.
She doubted any of them had eyes to match Rei's.
Rei looked over to the door and then back to her friend. It
occurred to her that this was the first time they'd really been
alone together since that night in the shrine. Her thoughts from
yesterday, along with the feelings generated watching Usagi get
ready to meet Mamoru, put Rei in a melancholy, reflective mood.
Somehow, she could think of no one better to share that with than
the pretty girl before her.
"It's hard for you too, isn't it?" Rei asked gently. Meditating
on the flame was all well and good, but she really needed someone
she could talk to about this.
Naru looked up from her own thoughts, surprised. She began to
ask what Rei meant, but Rei's expression filled in any gaps.
Naru knew all to well what her companion meant. She nodded
silently and both women shared that silence for a while.
"I never got the chance to thank you," Naru finally said.
"For what, Naru-chan?"
"For what you said, that night. It really helped me." Seeing
Rei's confusion, Naru explained. "You told me it was never wrong
to love somebody. It meant a lot to me. It means a lot to me."
Naru lifted her eyes to meet Rei's. For a moment, she lost
herself in the violet fires that simmered there.
"I'm glad," Rei replied with a gentle smile. "I'm also glad you
came that night. It's been...easier...since I've gotten close to
you." As she said this, Rei realized suddenly that it _was_ a
lot easier with Naru there.
Again, Naru nodded knowingly. Suddenly, she noticed something on
the desk beside her. "Oh no! Usagi forgot her tickets!"
Rei laughed, "How typical! Well, don't worry. I'm sure she can
talk her way in."
"Shouldn't we try to return them to her?"
Rei looked at the clock by the bed. "Mamoru is always right on
time," she noted. "I think he got sick of hearing Usagi wail at
him for being late. I'm sure they're gone by now."
"Yeah, I guess so," Naru answered. She sighed, but then realized
something strange. For some reason, she didn't feel quite as
upset as she'd thought she would. Naru had long ago come to
terms with her feelings for Usagi but seeing her with Mamoru
usually brought on at least a little melancholia. Tonight,
however, she could barely scrape up enough regret to give a
proper wistful sigh. Maybe Rei was right. Maybe it was easier
now.
"I think I have an idea," Rei announced, jarring Naru's
contemplation. "You can fit into Usagi's clothes, right?"
"Some of them," Naru admitted with a curious look. "Why?"
"And I know I can, with a safety pin here and there," Rei
continued. "And, we have these tickets, and I'm sure they were
quite expensive. It would be a shame to let them go to waste,
wouldn't it?"
Naru blushed suddenly, "Are you suggesting..."
Rei noticed the blush with some confusion. "That we borrow those
other two gowns and go to the formal? Of course! Why not?"
"Rei-chan, I'm not sure..." Naru stammered, still blushing
fiercely.
"It will be fun to get dressed up! I'm sure there will be other
girls there with their friends. Who needs men anyway?" Rei
laughed.
"Ohhh," Naru said, understanding dawning. "Yeah, sure, ok. But
I get to wear the green one. I really don't know what Usagi was
thinking getting that. It's not her color at all. I'm sure
you'll look great in the red." Naru rose to retrieve the other
gowns from Usagi's closet.
Rei watched her friend, pondering. Initially, she had just
thought it would be fun to dress up and see her friends at the
dance, but Naru's blush was making her wonder...
"What do you think?" Naru asked, holding the green gown in front
of her.
Rei caught her breath. Even just held in front, she could see
how perfect the gown was for Naru. She would look exquisite in
it. 'She's so beautiful,' Rei thought suddenly.
"Well?" Naru asked again, concern tweaking the corners of her
eyes.
"It's perfect," Rei whispered. Before she could finish her train
of thought, however, Naru presented her with the red gown.
"Better get moving if we want to make it on time," Naru pointed
out. "I guess we should just get changed here." Shyly, she
turned her back and started undressing.
Rei watched for quite a while before she had to begin getting
ready herself. Fortunately, the excitement of dressing up gave
her thoughts a rock on which to moor while a strange storm
flashed through the recesses of her mind.
------------
The doorbell rang just as Michiru was putting the final touches
on Makoto's hair. Though she normally kept her hair in a large
ponytail, tonight she wore it down, auburn locks cascading across
her shoulders and delicate curls framing her face. Michiru
patted her shoulder gently and headed out to answer. Though Ami
had her own key, of course, she wouldn't use it this evening.
It had all been Makoto's idea. One evening a week or two
previous, she had lamented that the odd way in which they had
finally come together had robbed them of the joy of dating.
After all, Ami had practically moved in right away. Though her
mother was still unsure about the idea, it was all but certain
that Ami would be moving in formally after the holidays. After
hearing Makoto recount her old teenage fantasies of waiting at
home for her date to arrive, of fancy dinners and dances, and of
furtive kisses stolen at the front door on the distant edge of
curfew, Ami had decided to make those dreams come true for the
Winter Formal.
"Eighteen...nineteen...twenty," Makoto counted to herself, trying
to restrain her eager curiosity. Michiru had counseled her on
how to generate the proper levels of suspense and nervousness in
a date. With a deep breath and a final check in the mirror, she
left the bedroom.
In the sitting room, Ami stood, impatiently shuffling her feet.
"Isn't she ready?" she asked Michiru.
Michiru smiled, "The best things in life are worth waiting for,
wouldn't you agree, Ami-chan? You look very nice tonight." Ami
thanked her, but most of her attention remained focused on the
closed bedroom door. After what seemed like an eternity, the
door opened.
"Oh my," Ami sighed. Her breath seeped out of her and she had
trouble recapturing it as she took in the vision before her.
Makoto stood framed in the doorway, blushing shyly, in an elegant
green strapless gown, cut low enough to bring a blush to Ami as
well. Her hair lay across her shoulders along with a pink wrap
that matched the ever-present rose earrings perfectly. As Ami
stared at her, Makoto slowly spun around, her dress ever so
briefly opening along the slit that ran up to mid-thigh. "Oh my,"
Ami sighed again, at a loss for coherent speech.
"You like it, then?" Makoto asked in a quietly triumphant voice.
Ami nodded in reply, moving forward slowly. For her part, Ami
wore a midnight-blue tuxedo, discernable from black only by the
way the color meshed with the aqua-blue vest and tie underneath.
Silently, she proffered a small white box to her date.
Makoto's heart raced as Ami glided across the floor to her side.
Truly, even her romantic fantasies could not compete with this
wonderful reality. 'My prince,' she thought happily.
"I hope this matches," Ami said as she placed the box in Makoto's
trembling hands.
Carefully pulling the gold ribbon from the package, Makoto lifted
the lid. "Oh Ami, it's perfect! Thank you!" She lifted the
corsage of pink roses up for Michiru to see, noting that Haruka
had apparently come in while she was focused on Ami. "Wait here
a minute," Mako requested.
Moments later, Makoto returned from the kitchen with a box of her
own. "I've been working on this hybrid for awhile now. I hope
you like it."
Ami took the box with a questioning glance. She knew that Makoto
loved flowers and spent some of her free time in a local
greenhouse, but she hadn't suspected that she was doing anything
so serious there. "Makoto, I didn't know this sort of thing was
possible!" she gasped after opening her present. "Could you?"
she asked, handing the box back to Mako.
Makoto smiled and reached inside, pulling out a single rose. At
first, it looked like a normal white rose, but as she carefully
pinned it to Ami's lapel, the blue tint of the petals came to
light.
Michiru slid her arm around Haruka's waist and laid her head
against her, with a happy sigh. Haruka chuckled and pulled her
love close. For a moment or two, they happily watched Ami and
Mako as they stood together, gazing dreamily into one another's
eyes, hands clasped lightly. Finally, though, Haruka spoke up.
"Ok, young lovers, it's time to get going. You're paying for
that limo out front by the hour, after all."
Extending her arm to Makoto, Ami escorted her date to the door.
"Thank you both for everything," she told Haruka and Michiru.
"What are your plans for the evening?"
"Oh, we'll find something to do," Haruka responded with a devious
grin. "Have fun and don't do anything we wouldn't do."
"Haruka love, what exactly wouldn't we do?" Michiru asked in an
innocent voice, winking naughtily at Ami and Makoto as Haruka
turned bright red and tried to stammer a reply. "Have fun, we'll
lock up," Michiru called. After Ami and Makoto left, she turned
to face Haruka, her fingers idly toying with the buttons on her
lover's white Oxford shirt. "Now that we're alone, dear heart,
why don't we do something that we 'wouldn't do'."
Any reply from Haruka was lost in the press of soft lips on
hers...
------------
Minako twisted her foot back and forth nervously. How ironic
that after so many weeks of longing to see his face again, now
that he was here, she couldn't meet his eyes. "How was your
trip?" she asked nervously.
"Fine," Kenjo replied in a painfully normal tone. "I was worried
that I wouldn't make it in time, but I guess you can see that I
did. You look beautiful, Mina-chan."
"Thank you," she replied politely. She knew this, but it was
always nice to hear. They had decided to meet at the Student
Center, next door to the gymnasium where the dance was being
held. She'd arrived in gown #7. At least, that's how she
referred to it, since she'd bought and then later returned six
other ones before settling on this black, tea-length number.
With all of her friends busy with their own preparations, Mina
had had to get ready by herself. Well, not entirely by herself.
Artemis and Luna had been there, but there's only so much cats
can do without opposable thumbs.
Kenjo, for his part, wore a standard-issue tuxedo. It annoyed
Minako to no end that guys could just walk into a formal-ware
store, get a couple measurements taken, and be done with their
preparations for an event like this. He did look good, though.
"So," Kenjo said.
"So," Minako replied.
He'd called her just about every day since he'd gone back to
school. They'd emailed each other to fill the spaces between
phone calls. For the past month, they'd talked of nothing more
than how much they longed to see each other again. She'd shared
all of her innermost secrets, her hopes, her desires, and he'd
done the same. She'd even begun getting progessively racier in
their phone conversations, particularly the late night ones.
They'd been dating over a month and in that time they'd become
closer than either ever thought possible.
But she'd only ever seen him a handful of times, not once since
that weekend. They'd both tried, but the end of the semester
brought exams and papers and neither Kenjo nor Mina was the type
who could crank out their work and be done with it quickly.
Sharing yourself in person was much different than sharing
yourself over the phone.
"Do you want to get a cup of coffee or something before we head
over?" Kenjo suggested tentatively.
Anything was better than this, so Minako leaped at the chance.
"Great! There's a cafe upstairs, come on!" In her enthusiasm,
she grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the stairway. The
contact brought a shock that stopped her in her tracks. How
could a simple thing like holding hands carry so much power?
Before she could say anything, Kenjo stepped forward, his eyes
locked with hers. Gently, carefully, he reached out and took her
hand again. His thumb caressed hers and he smiled and Mina knew
suddenly that everything would be all right.
-------------------------
"Mako-san! Ami-san! Come get your pictures taken!"
Ami and Makoto stood in the doorway, eyes still adjusting to the
change in light. They slowly moved toward the familiar but
unexpected voice.
"Hotaru-chan, is that you?" Ami asked.
"Hai, Ami-san," the teenage girl replied. "Michiru-mama knows
someone on the faculty and pulled some strings. This is my first
real gig!"
Makoto grinned at their young friend, noticing how much older she
looked in a formal woman's business suit. Gone were her usual
goth trappings, though the suit was as black as the clothes she
normally wore. "So, you're the official photographer, huh?"
Hotaru nodded enthusiastically and pulled the compliant couple in
front of the backdrop before her camera. "You both look
wonderful. Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama showed me your outfits.
They look even better on, and next to each other." As she'd
planned, her compliments brought about beautiful smiles on her
subjects. A click, a flash and she was done.
"I'll track you guys down later!" Hotaru told them, hustling them
out of the area. "But, I get paid by the picture and everyone
wants them taken before they get all sweaty dancing. Usagi and
Mamoru are here already. They were the first ones in, just
about." She pointed Ami and Mako in the direction of their
friends and turned to greet the next couple.
Ami and Makoto made their way across the dance floor to a table
where Usagi and Mamoru waited. Somehow, Usagi had managed to
save the other six chairs at the round table with just her coat
and Mamoru's.
"Mamoru-kun," Ami called out, "it's so good to see you again."
The warning gave Mamoru time to disengage himself from Usagi, who
sat for a moment with eyes closed and lips puckered before she
realized the kissing was over for the moment. He stood up and
extended a hand to Ami.
"Hai, it's been too long, Ami-chan." Mamoru bowed, taking Ami's
hand and squeezing it gently. Rising, he turned to Makoto and
said, "You look wonderful, Makoto-chan. Congratulations to you
both."
Makoto blushed slightly and shocked everyone by dropping into a
perfect curtsy. "Thank you, Prince." Noticing everyone's
astonishment, she added, "What? It's a formal event, so I
thought I'd practice my court manners. I'm going to need them
someday!"
Ami shook her head fondly. "You never cease to amaze me, or
impress me, my love." This time, Makoto's blush was anything but
slight. Ami moved to a chair across from Usagi and pulled it
out, holding it for Makoto. Makoto sat primly as Ami helped her
slide the chair forward.
"Oh Mamo-chan, why don't you hold my chair for me like that!
It's so romantic," Usagi sighed. Mamoru sighed as well, though
in a different tone, and moved to get Usagi's chair for her.
"Usagi-chan," Ami asked, "why have you saved the whole table? I
thought we were only expecting Mina and Kenjo."
Makoto scanned the room quickly. "Yeah, and I don't see them
here yet. I hope they didn't sneak off for a quickie. It has
been awhile since they've seen each other, but that would be
rude!" She was so intent on looking for her friends that
she missed the shared look of embarrassment between Usagi and
Mamoru.
"Well," Usagi began, leaning forward conspiratorially, "can you
guys keep a secret?"
'Here we go again,' Makoto thought even as Ami anxiously moved to
listen to Usagi's gossip.
----------------------------
The dance was in full swing by the time Kenjo and Minako appeared
at the table, eyes still partially blinded from Hotaru's flash.
Usagi, Mamoru, Ami, and Makoto had filled in the time catching up
with Mamoru. Ami in particular had lots of questions for him
about his experiences studying abroad.
After introductions were made and teasing of Minako for being
late was complete, Usagi finally prevailed upon Mamoru to dance
with her. Kenjo and Minako joined them, leaving Ami and Makoto
alone.
For the first time, Makoto shifted her attention away from their
table and scanned the room. There had to be at least two hundred
people in attendance, very few of whom were familiar to her.
"Mako," Ami said quietly. "Would you like to..."
"Hey there, ladies!" a loud, slurred voice interrupted. "What's
two hot chicks like you doing all alone in a place like this?"
Standing over the two women were a pair of broad-shouldered guys,
swaying ever so slightly. Despite the distance, Makoto could
smell the beer on their breath. "So, you wanna dance? Or maybe
just skip all the bullshit and blow this taco stand?" The blonde
attempted to give the dark-haired boy a high-five, but they
barely connected.
"No, thank you," Ami replied politely.
"I told you she was a dyke," the blonde whispered loudly.
"How about you, baby?" the other guy asked Makoto. "How about
taking a turn with a real guy. I bet I fill out my tux a hell of
a lot better than your 'friend' there." Laughing crudely, he
shoved his crotch forward.
Makoto focused her attention on his zipper with a critical eye.
"I doubt it. There's a difference between having a big dick and
being a big dick, you know."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" her suitor roared, able
to puzzle her words out enough to get that he'd been insulted.
As he moved forward, though, he suddenly fell to the ground in a
heap, taking his friend down too. For a moment, the two of them
scrambled and flailed about, until everyone in a twenty foot
radius was looking and laughing at them.
"Fuck you, dykes!" the blonde said as they crawled away, finally
able to stand. Despite the harsh words, they fled from the
taunting looks of the bystanders, leaving the gymnasium
altogether.
Makoto sat, trying to figure out what had just happened, when she
noticed something funny about the floor. Reaching down, she
felt a sharp chill as her fingers hit a puddle of icy cold water.
She looked to Ami with an expression of amazement. "You
didn't..."
Ami simply smiled serenely and stood up. Extending a hand, she
said, "You know I never get tired of asking you to dance, my
love. Will you?"
Makoto rose, and again curtsied formally. She never let her eyes
leave Ami's and was rewarded with a radiant smile when she
replied, "I will, my prince."
Later, as they danced close, oblivious to anything else in the
world around them, Ami whispered, "Technically, you know, I would
be a princess, not a prince."
"You will always be my prince," Makoto insisted with a happy
sigh, nuzzling her head even closer to Ami's. "Always."
-----------------
When the happy couples returned from the dance floor, they were
surprised to find Rei and Naru sitting at their table.
"You know, meatball head, you shouldn't just leave your things
here for anyone to walk by and steal!" Rei warned. As she stood
to greet her friends, four jaws dropped, for rather similar
reasons. (Usagi and Minako were impressed, but in quite a
different way than the other four.)
Wearing the long red formal gown that Usagi had bought, her long
black hair flowing naturally down her back, Rei could have
stepped from a fashion magazine. Somewhat less stunning, though
no less beautiful, Naru stood in the green gown that matched her
eyes and set off her red hair perfectly.
"What are you guys doing here?" Minako asked, not noticing that
only Kenjo seemed as surprised as she to see them there.
"Usagi forgot her tickets, and she had these gowns, so we figured
we might as well," Naru explained, a little embarrassed. "I hope
you don't mind, Usagi-chan."
"Of course not, silly!" Usagi announced, giving both of her
friends hugs before letting Mamoru settle her in her chair.
"Thanks a lot, Ami-chan," Mamoru complained, "now I'm going to
have to hold every chair she ever sits in or else hear all about
it." Usagi nudged him in the ribs, hard, and he turned a winning
smile on her. "Which, of course, I don't mind at all."
Ami smiled prettily as she sat herself down, "She is a princess,
after all." The way Ami squeezed Mako's hand as she said this
made it quite unclear to whom she was referring, however.
"Well, I'd say you owe me at least a dance?" Mamoru asked.
"Me?" Ami asked, slightly confused, "well, I'd be delighted."
Noting the early warning signs of Usagi's pout, she quickly
added, "if it is ok with you, Usagi-chan."
Usagi grimaced slightly, but then her more typical smile lit up
her face. "Of course, Ami-chan, but you'd better bring him back
safe, 'cause I'm holding onto to Mako-chan as insurance until you
do." This brought about a round of laughter, if only from the
mental image of Usagi trying to keep Makoto away from Ami
somehow.
After Mamoru and Ami left, Minako turned to Naru and Rei. "So,
since you both are here and looking so beautiful, are you going
to try to meet some guys?"
Makoto muttered something about 'slim pickings' but didn't
elaborate.
'That was the plan, wasn't it?' Rei thought. She did not reply
to the question, though, as she realized that she didn't know the
answer any more. Instead, she focused on Naru. Though Naru and
Usagi wore similar sizes, Rei still could not believe how
perfectly the dress fit the redhead and how wonderful she looked
in it. 'How could Umino have ever let her get away?' Rei
wondered, not for the first time.
While Rei was pondering, Naru shook her head. "No, we just
wanted to get dressed up and see you all. Like Rei said, 'Who
needs boys anyway?'"
Minako and Makoto laughed at this, making Kenjo pout a little.
Rei seemed lost in thought while Usagi just smiled knowingly and
nodded her agreement.
"Well, I'm glad you're both here," Usagi declared.
----
A slow waltz was playing as Mamoru and Ami approached the dance
floor. Mamoru paused, unsure for a moment, until Ami held out
her arms, encouraging him take the lead. He chuckled briefly and
led her into the dance.
For a moment or two, they waltzed together, gliding smoothly
among the other couples there. Ami was a much more accomplished
dance partner than Usagi and it took Mamoru a few moments to
adjust to that. For his part, Mamoru was a decent dancer, but
Ami couldn't help but think that he didn't hold a candle to her
Mako-chan.
"I was surprised to hear about you and Makoto," Mamoru finally
said.
Ami smiled up at him, "I can imagine you were." She thought for
a moment. "You know, I used to have a crush on you. I guess it
was safe because we all knew you'd always be with Usagi."
"I thought you, well," Mamoru paused, trying to pick his words
carefully, "I wouldn't think you'd have a crush on a guy."
"Like I said, it was safe," Ami laughed. "Besides, I was
flattered."
"Flattered?" Mamoru asked cautiously. She couldn't have known,
could she?
"Of course," Ami replied, giving a pointed look. "What girl
wouldn't be flattered knowing that such a smart, debonair young
man was interested in her?" Seeing his surprise, Ami smiled
reassuringly. "I might not be a genius when it comes to people,
like Usagi or Minako," she explained, "but, even I can see some
things."
Mamoru grinned wryly, but didn't reply. "You know I love Usagi
with all of my heart," he began.
Ami shushed him, "I know, and I'm sure she doesn't mind in any
case."
"Do you think she knows?" Mamoru asked, horrible visions of
tantrums to come looming in his mind.
"When it comes to love," Ami advised him, "I don't believe there
is much that our princess doesn't know. Besides, you can always
just remind her about the way she goes all starry-eyed over
Motoki, or Haruka."
With a relieved laugh, Mamoru swept her into the final stages of
the dance. "I'm glad that you're happy, Ami-chan. I think,
aside from Usagi and Chibi, I've always felt closest to you."
"I know, Mamo-kun," Ami answered. "I feel the same way." With a
heavy sigh, she added, "It's nice to have at least one male
friend I know I can rely on."
Usagi had told Mamoru about the business with Urawa, but Mamoru
didn't want Ami reliving it on such a special night, so he said
no more. They finished their dance in the comfortable silence
that comes with deep friendship.
------------------
And so the evening passed, with the happy conversation of good
friends interrupted only by an ongoing succession of dances and
the private talks that accompanied them.
---------
At Makoto's urging, Kenjo danced with Ami while she and Mina
went to "powder their noses." As with Mamoru, Ami noted that
Makoto was a more pleasant dance partner. 'Perhaps I'm just
getting used to leading,' she considered.
After an awkward silence, Ami spoke. "I understand that I am in
your debt."
"What do you mean?" Kenjo asked, confused.
"Well, Makoto has told me all about how you tried to help get us
together," Ami replied with a patient grin.
"Of course she did," Kenjo nodded with understanding, "I should
have assumed that. Still, I'm not sure I had much to do with it
after all. I should have trusted that she'd take care of things
on her own. If anything, I owe her a debt, for introducing me to
Mina."
Ami looked up at him, considering. "We all care for Minako very
much. She is a very giving, loving woman."
Kenjo smiled, "Don't worry, Mizuno-san, I know just how lucky I
am and how precious she is. I care for her, too, and I will try
my best to do nothing to hurt her."
Ami seemed pleased with the answer and the two danced together
quietly for a bit more. This time, Kenjo broke the silence.
"I know it's not my place to say so, that you aren't doing it for
me, but I did want to thank you for making Makoto so very happy."
Ami blushed suddenly, not knowing how to respond to such a
statement.
Kenjo continued, "We've been friends forever and I love her like
a sister. I've always hoped she could find someone who would
love her for who she is, who could make her as happy as she
deserves to be. I have never seen her remotely as joyful and
alive as she is tonight, with you."
"Thank you," Ami replied quietly. "She makes me feel the same
way."
"So, do you think they're talking about us in the ladies' room?"
Kenjo asked, sneaking a glance toward that part of the gym.
With a light laugh, Ami followed his gaze. "I'm sure they are.
I'm sure they both want us to be good friends." She turned back
to him. "I'd like it if we were, too."
"I would, too," Kenjo agreed. The music came to an end and he
bowed politely before leading her back to the table, where Minako
and Makoto waited eagerly. Mina looked up expectantly, but
Kenjo shook his head. "Sorry, Mina-chan, but Makoto promised me
the next dance."
"As long as you save the last dance for me," Minako said,
elicting laughter from her friends. "What?" she asked, puzzled.
"That's the lyric to an old song," Rei informed her. Softly, Rei
sang a verse, entrancing everyone with her lovely voice.
"Well, song or not, you'd better do it," Minako snorted.
Kenjo smiled and bowed. "After this, my dance card, like my
heart, will be yours and yours alone, my fair maiden."
"Ooooh, he's good," Usagi pointed out.
"Told ya," Makoto agreed, standing and taking the hand Kenjo had
extended.
As they danced, Makoto and Kenjo used the time to get caught up.
Though they didn't speak often, when they did, they made the most
of it. As he had mentioned to Ami, Kenjo marveled at how happy
Makoto seemed and she shared with him the joy and happiness that
her relationship with Ami had brought into her life.
"So, why were you and Minako so late to the dance?" Makoto
eventually asked in a teasing tone.
"We decided to have some coffee together before coming here,"
Kenjo replied. "And yes, I just mean coffee. You know we've
never... I mean, this is really only our third date!"
"But, you've been talking almost non-stop since you went away,
right?"
"Yes, and that's been wonderful, but it is still different than
being together. I think it took us both a little while to
adjust. We wanted to do that by ourselves, instead of here with
everyone watching."
Makoto nodded, watching his expression carefully. There was
something in his demeanor that she had never seen before, but she
thought she could guess what it might be.
"Do you love her?" she asked.
"It's a little early to worry about that, isn't it?" he answered
a bit too quickly. "I mean, it's only our third date."
"Why does that matter, especially if you've been sharing so much
time together?"
"Long-distance relationships don't work."
"Usagi and Mamoru work. You haven't answered my question,
Shinozaki. What are you trying to convince yourself of?"
Kenjo tore his eyes away from his friends and fell silent.
Makoto followed suit, giving him time to sort things out.
Finally, he spoke.
"You're just trying to get even with me, aren't you?"
"What do you mean?" she asked, quite unsure where that had come
from.
"Because I figured out about how you felt about Ami before you
did," he explained, a slow, uncertain smile forming.
Understanding brought an answering smile to Makoto's lips. "You
do love her, don't you? I knew it. I guess I do know you as
well you know me."
"I knew there would be an 'I told ya so' in there," Kenjo
lamented. More seriously, he continued, "I think I do, Mako-
chan. She's just completely unlike anyone I've ever met. She's
fun, she's caring, she makes me feel like .... she makes me feel
like you do, Mako-chan, but with a little something extra."
Makoto smiled fondly at her best friend. "Are you going to tell
her?"
"Eventually," he replied. "When the time is right."
"I suppose that will do for now."
-----------------
"Mamo-chan!" Usagi whispered from down near his chest, where her
head rested as they danced.
Leaning down as best he could while maintaining the forms of the
dance, Mamoru asked, "Yes, Usa-chan?"
"You need to dance with Rei!"
Mamoru lifted his head and glanced toward their table where Rei
and Naru sat chatting with Ami and Makoto. "I wouldn't mind
dancing with Rei, but why do you want me to?"
"You just dance with Rei and leave the rest to me," Usagi
directed. "The trouble I go to..." she muttered under her
breath, but he did not hear.
-----------------
"Naru-chan, you haven't danced once tonight," Usagi complained.
Mamoru had just accompanied a startled Rei out to the dance
floor, where the other two couples already glided to the soft
classical music in the air.
"Oh, that's ok, Usagi-chan," Naru sighed. "I didn't come to
dance."
"Well, why did you come then?" Usagi demanded.
"I don't know, we didn't have anything else to do and Rei
suggested it. It seemed like a good idea."
"'Seemed like?' Aren't you having fun?" Usagi asked, laying a
concerned hand over Naru's. For once, Naru didn't react at all
to her touch. Usagi considered this an encouraging sign.
"I'm having fun," Naru insisted, but her eyes were glued to the
dance floor, watching Mamoru and Rei.
"Will you dance with me at least?" Usagi begged. "My boyfriend
has abandoned me once again!" She sighed and turned the full
force of her best 'puppy-dog' look upon an unsuspecting and
unprepared Naru. "Please?"
"Sure, why not?" Naru agreed. Truthfully, she had been having a
good time this evening. She felt so classy, all dressed up and
sitting with such handsome men and beautiful women. Though she
was closest to Usagi and Rei, Naru knew the other girls from
school and considered them all friends. Still, as the evening
wore on, she had begun to feel a bit out of sorts, a feeling that
had come on particularly strong after Mamoru had asked Rei to
dance. She told herself it was because, as long as Rei wasn't
dancing either, it was ok that she didn't. Naru told herself a
lot of things.
"Hooray!" Usagi yelled, dragging Naru to her feet and yanking her
out toward the dance floor. "I get to lead! No one ever lets me
lead, not Mamoru, not Haruka, no one!" Seeing Naru's eyebrow
rise at the mention of Haruka, Usagi broke out in a cold sweat.
Before Naru could inquire, though, Usagi was grabbing her hands
and leading her into a waltz.
Though Usagi was not a bad dancer, the attempt to lead was
testing her skills to the utmost. Fortunately, Naru had had
formal 'charm school' training and was able to assist her friend
subtly. After a few turns around the floor, they found
themselves dancing next to Rei and Mamoru.
"Rei-chan! Mamo-chan!" Usagi called out, drawing the attention
of most of the dance floor. "Leading is hard! I want to dance
with my Mamo-chan!" In a deft demonstration of dexterity, Usagi
swiftly exchanged her partner for Rei's, dancing off in a swirl
with Mamoru, leaving a very confused Rei hand-in-hand with an
equally confused Naru.
"I'd ask what just happened, but I already know the answer," Rei
commented wryly.
"Usagi happened," Naru agreed with a giggle. "I guess we should
just go sit down," she added, her gaze dropping to the floor,
along with her smile.
Rei turned to face her friend, still holding her hands tightly.
She considered the young woman before her shyly examining the
ground and twisting her foot back and forth. Without another
word, she lifted her right hand and slid her left around Naru's
waist and continued the dance.
'She's a much stronger lead than Usagi,' Naru noted, even as she
felt her spirit filling with delight. Warmth and comprehension
suffused her as she looked up into those violet eyes that had
shone in her dreams for nearly a month.
Rei remained silent, but her expression spoke volumes. She
smiled fondly and shared understanding and happiness sprang
between the two of them. Without another word, Naru rested her
head on Rei's chest, content to follow Rei's lead to the end of
the world.
--------------
Mamoru and Usagi were the first to leave. Everyone knew how hard
it had been on them, being apart for so long, so no one begrudged
them their time together. They made their way back toward his
apartment, hand-in-hand, sharing their thoughts on the evening.
The walk was indeed quite romantic, as he had promised. It gave
them the time they needed together. Despite their long
separation, it was as if no time at all had passed and they fell
naturally into the rhythms of their love for one another. When
they arrived, each was more than ready to make up for lost time.
Quite a while later....
"You planned all that, didn't you? The dance, the tickets, the
dresses, all of it."
"Why Mamo-chan, I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Remind me never to underestimate you, my love."
"If you need me to remind you, it's too late for you anyway."
------
Not too long after Usagi and Mamoru left, Minako and Kenjo said
their goodbyes. They found their way to that playground where
they had stopped on their second date and sat for a long time,
drinking in each other's company. Finally, the time was right.
Admissions of love, happy as they are, can be difficult and are
often born in tears, albeit tears of joy. Fortunately, tears can
be kissed away, while true love is eternal.
Eventually, the happy couple left the playground. They could see
the earliest glimmers of the long path strewn before them and
they took the first steps eagerly, hand-in-hand.
------
"Here we are," Ami announced as she and her date arrived at the
door to their apartment. Though their long limo ride around
Tokyo had been fun, it was good to be home. She paused in the
doorway, remembering the role she had been assigned this night.
Makoto moved to get the door. "Would you to like to come in for
a little while?" she asked coquettishly.
"I think I would like that very much. How long can I stay?"
"How about....forever," Makoto replied as her lips found Ami's.
After a languid kiss on the doorstep, they moved into the
apartment. Ami slid her shoes off and hung her coat and jacket
neatly. Before Makoto could do any more than remove her wrap,
Ami took her by the hand and led her inside. Seating Makoto on
the couch, she sat delicately on the coffee table in front of
her.
"Do you know where I was exactly one month ago, my love?" Ami
asked tenderly.
"Here, with me," Makoto recalled with a broad smile.
Gently, Ami lifted Makoto's foot onto her lap. Her deft fingers
made quick work of the straps that ran along her ankle and
halfway up her calf. As Ami eased the shoe off, Makoto settled
back against the couch with a happy sigh.
"You gave me a massage," Ami reminded her. "You made me feel as
loved and as special as I ever had in my life. And every day
since, you've done the same exact thing." Even as she spoke, Ami
took Makoto's other foot and released it from its stylish leather
prison. "Now, it's my turn to make you feel the same way."
"But Ami, you do, every moment...." Makoto began to protest
before Ami shushed her. Taking the hint, she closed her eyes and
lost herself in the sensation as Ami began to rub and caress all
of the sore points on her feet.
After a thorough massage, and all of the grateful soft moans it
had elicited, Ami slid her hands up over her lover's calves and
later past her knees. Makoto slid down on the couch, silently
begging Ami to roam higher. Her sighs and heavy breathing made
the same plea, but much more audibly. After an eternity of
delight, Ami knelt on the floor before the couch, now following
the trail her hands had blazed with soft, tender kisses
interrupted only by the occasional tender nibble.
"Oh Ami..." Makoto sighed, surrendering herself completely to the
joy and pleasure her love was intent on providing. "Oh my...."
Quite a while later....
"Aren't you cold out here, love? It's so much warmer in our
bed."
"You should know that cold doesn't bother me much. I just want
to be out here for a minute or two. Isn't the view beautiful?"
"Not as beautiful as you, my prince."
"You know it makes me blush when you call me that!"
"I like it when you blush."
"That's very sweet, my love. Now, stand behind me... there, just
like that."
"This is kind of nice. And much warmer this way."
"This is my favorite place in the whole world and I wanted to be
here tonight, just like we were that night a month ago."
"I love you, Ami. Thank you for a perfect evening."
"I love you, too, Mako. Thank you for a perfect life."
-------------
"Are you sure she went back to Mamoru's?" Naru asked for the
third time.
Rei gave her a wry look in response even as she opened the door
to Usagi's dorm room. Clearly, it was unoccupied.
Naru giggled, "Looks like you were right. I guess this means we
can take our time getting changed." With a heavy sigh, she
slipped off her shoes and sat gingerly on the edge of the bed.
Rei tossed her jacket over the chair and joined Naru on the bed.
"I guess so. Thank you for agreeing to come along tonight."
"Thank you for inviting me," Naru replied shyly, suddenly
dropping her eyes. "I had a wonderful evening."
Rei smiled and leaned back against the wall, watching her friend.
Naru looked up and met Rei's gaze with a puzzled expression. For
a long moment, they simply observed each other. Rei's eyes
glowed with a strong feeling that Naru couldn't name, but which
made her feel warm and comfortable. In the face of that, Naru's
confusion and uncertainty melted away, her own smile arriving at
last to meet Rei's.
"I need to ask you something, Naru-chan," Rei said finally.
"Sure, you can ask me anything," the redhead replied, a little of
her uncertainty returning.
"Did you ever kiss her?"
A small tear formed at the corner of Naru's eye as she turned
away. "Does it matter?" she whispered, her voice breaking.
Suddenly, Rei understood. It didn't matter any more, at least,
not for the same reasons. A sudden mental image of Usagi and
Naru kissing brought a sharp pain in Rei's gut, but it was not
only Naru she was jealous of. Eyes widening, Rei realized that
she was equally jealous of Usagi. The bed shifted underneath
her, snapping her back to the moment.
"I'll just grab my stuff and get changed at home," Naru sniffled.
"Thanks for everything..." She stood facing away from the bed,
away from Rei.
"Naru-chan," Rei said quickly, "don't... I'm so sorry."
"Why should you be sorry?" Naru replied curtly in a trembling
voice. "I wonder the same thing sometimes. We both love her,
right? We both love her and neither of us can have her and..."
Naru's words were cut off as Rei stood quickly, pulled her into
her arms, and kissed her. Rei's soft lips pressed Naru's until
they were still; Rei's arms held Naru until she relaxed into the
embrace. Naru's eyes closed and her mouth shifted, pulling on
Rei, summoning her, willing her to deepen their kiss. As Rei's
tongue slid tentatively to meet her own, Naru twisted her hands
in long, soft black hair.
"So, am I a better kisser than she was?" Rei asked with a
naughty, playful smile. Naru punched her on the arm. "Ow! Ok, I
retract the question."
Rei sat down on the bed again, pulling Naru down next to her.
"Naru-chan, I want you to know, I love her, I will always love
her. It's a part of who I am." Naru nodded sadly, but Rei lifted
her chin and met her eyes directly. "But, just because I love
her, doesn't mean I can't love anyone else. You're right, we
both love her. That's one thing we have in common, but it is not
the only thing. Tonight... for a while now really...it's been
easier and easier not to think of her. Just now, I realized why
that is. It's because I've been thinking of you instead."
Naru leaned forward suddenly and kissed Rei with a longing
passion that both startled and excited them both. "You know, for
someone so wise, you just don't know when to shut up."
Quite a while later....
"I think I've decided something."
"And what have you decided, dear heart?"
"There can never be enough love in the world."
"That's very profound. Does that mean you want to make some
more?"
"Mmm hmmmm. Do you have a problem with that?"
"What do _you_ think?"
Quite a while later again....
"I think I've decided something else."
"My, you are full of revelations today. Maybe you should ditch
the jewelry store and come work with me."
"But I like jewelry! That's not the point anyway."
"I'm sorry. What have you decided?"
"That it's kind of ironic?"
"What's ironic, sweety?"
"Well, you and I... here... in her bed."
"I can tell you one thing. There's no damn way I'm changing her
sheets for her."
And laughing together, the two happy young women settled down to
sleep in each other's arms.
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