Later, Mamoru picked up Usagi in his arms and carried her to the wedding suite, specially set up on a lower level for the newly-wed couple. They shed their raiment, standing naked before one another, and came together as their bodies answered their desire and they made rapturous love.
Crystal Honeymoon
Usagi and Mamoru spent two wonderful weeks at a beautiful guesthouse at Lake Biwa in Ômi province, near Kyoto. This location renowned for its beautiful scenery, the so-called ‘Eight Views' certainly lived up to its name. They spent their first night away fishing with a young girl, Neko Kiekie, the Guesthouse's owner. Neko was expert at both fresh water and saltwater fishing, and a Mauan operative, the resort recommended by Luna and Artemis.
Usagi tried her hand at one of the huge rods, set up for couples on their honeymoons.
"Mamoru, I've just caught number five," Usagi giggled, throwing the huge fish as promised to Luna after Mamoru had cleaned it up and placed the two he'd caught in the icebox for the barbecue later that afternoon, "I've got another one, my love!" Usagi squealed as Mamoru, in black jeans rolled up just below his knees, blue shirt and black jacket, sleeves rolled to the elbows, strode over to Usagi.
Running his fingers threw her soft Odango, kissing his wife's head he said, "These fish are huge! I think we might help some of our fellow honeymooners and catch one each for Dave and Rochelle?" he suggested, cutting the fish from Usagi's line while whistling a tune.
"Aha!" Usagi said, distracted as she watched the water with a keen eye.
"Mamoru and Usagi, this fish is delicious… I'm glad you insisted I came along on your honeymoon," Luna said, between mouthfuls of fresh fish.
"I wouldn't have left you behind for anything in the world, Luna. Besides, you and Artemis should come here when you've bonded as a couple," Usagi said, stroking Luna under her jaw and behind her ears.
"Hey Luna, has he broached the subject with you?" Mamoru asked as Neko brought a silver platter of sushi served on a bed of lettuce with a sauce of: lemon, ginger, freshly chopped coriander, and tomato puree blended with sour cream with a little black pepper. On another platter: grilled chicken breasts served with potato wedges, a smooth cheese sauce with lemon pepper and garlic looked inviting.
"Well, I-" Luna began, and then thought better of it. She was hoping Artemis, as humans say, would ‘pop the question' then Rei would conduct the ancient Mauan ceremony. But she was getting to the point that she might have to take the initiative and propose herself. She knew Artemis was also nervous.
"Lunch looks great," Usagi said, as they left their lines and sat with Neko to eat.
"Enjoying yourselves, guys?" their young hostess enquired.
"Oh Neko, it's fantastic. Mamoru and I have so enjoyed ourselves and we've been here only a few days and don't want it to ever end," Usagi said to the smiling dark-haired girl.
"Only the best for the prince of Earth and our future queen, I trust you'll be masters of ceremony tonight at the Sakura no Shoujo Temple at the Cha no you? We're looking forward to it as its one of the highlights of our program," Neko said, smiling at Usagi and Mamoru as Luna climbed onto her lap.
"We would be honored, Neko-san, and look forward to it," Usagi replied as Mamoru nodded his agreement.
Usagi's soft pink Kimono looked fantastic, lined with cherry blossom motifs, while Mamoru's midnight blue robes possessed a border of silvery-blue stars. The temple was open to the sky, with spacious verandas and inner sanctum to which one gained access by moving down a circular set of stairs that opened onto a beautifully designed interior. Colorful murals and remarkable crystal statues encircled the inner sanctum where all was made ready for the ceremony.
Usagi prepared the rich brew, whisked with a bamboo implement. Neko handed out the tea to all eight couples. The ancient ritual continued as the moon shone upon a fountain featuring a crystal nymph in a short tunic, hands resting upon her knees. The image's eyes closed a knowing smile on her face. Mamoru swore the statue had lifted its head and smiled at him, its crystalline hair shimmering with the movement. When he looked a second time, the figure was once again sitting in her original position. But for one thing, her eyes were open. In her left hand, she held something, but he couldn't quite make out what it might be.
Neko thanked Usagi and Mamoru as they stood out on the veranda looking at the starry constellations overhead.
"It's so peaceful here. Looking up at the stars, it's hard to believe they could harbor anything but beauty and harmony," Usagi commented in a wistful tone, "I hope Amydarainia and Janus are okay. I think he's a strong leader. But I wish they could spend a little quality time together on Earth, or perhaps Orpheus, for that matter, just to be a normal married couple like you and I," Usagi said, biting her lip in the way Mamoru adored.
"Yeah, I hope they get the chance, Usako," he told her, stroking her cheek as she looked into his ocean-blue eyes.
"Setsuna is trying to share the load. You know, it's strange how things can change in people. I just don't mean our friends and families, but people in general. We're all so transient, or perhaps a better way of putting it, each day we're not the same person we knew before sleep claimed us."
Mamoru nodded, impressed by his wife's philosophical comments.
"We've got an early start tomorrow, to see the waterfalls and experience that fantastic balloon ride. I'm looking forward to that," Mamoru said, after taking another deep breath of fresh night air. It was intoxicating and made him feel truly alive.
Neko, after standing on the other side of the open archway lost in her own thoughts came back to herself and said goodnight to Mamoru and Usagi, and left them alone on the terrace. The guests soon returned to their rooms, or as Usagi and he was about to do, taking a late night stroll before retiring to their honeymoon suites.
"I want to go for a walk, and you know, spend a little time soaking up the atmosphere and check out that crystal statue, too."
Taking Usagi's proffered hand, he pulled her to him, feeling her body respond to his as their passion began to flare.
"Come on, Mamo-chan; let's go before we change our minds. I want to kindle the fire within a little longer before we indulge ourselves," Usagi said, as Mamoru released her.
They smiled at one another and descended the nine steps leading to the enchanted gardens below, spreading out before them.
They'd walked for twenty minutes, stopping to kiss and talk, breathing in the night air, laced with a fine mist created by the waters of the stunning crystal fountain. They climbed its quartz terraces, and sat before the shimmering translucent girl, her features they observed were anatomically precise. What surprised Usagi most was the fact the crystal woman wore her hair the same way she did.
"Mamo-chan, that's freaky. That girl has Odango like mine," she giggled, resting her hands upon the girl's crystal knees to lift herself high enough to get a good look behind the statue's head. "Wow, the workmanship that's gone into this is incredible, her eyes look so real. Didn't you say these were closed? Oh, look," she gasped, looking at the open palm of the left hand of the statue.
"Hey, Odango Atama, she's a crystal Odango Atama … What are you on about? Let me take a look," Mamoru chuckled, but then froze in both shock and awe. "By the Kamis, I think there's something very familiar about this situation. She's holding a tiny girl-child. Its Aki, a crystal representation," he whispered to Usagi while looking into the serine face of the crystal nymph.
"She's beautiful," was all Usagi could manage as her fingertip stroked the crystalline hair of the child. The hair felt soft like a flesh and blood little girl's would feel.
"Lady Myola," he addressed the blinking statue while the diminutive child giggled as a tiny crystal butterfly materialized and fluttered about her head, and settled upon her hair – the winged wonder slowly opening and closing its wings.
"Mamoru, my son, Aki is the one destined to turn the tide on the alliance. She is my child, she is the next incarnation of the Oberisku no Shoujo. She is happy living with your family, Usagi. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you personally for taking her under your wing. Aki loves you both. I am well pleased with my Kakitsubata." The tiny manifestation of Aki giggled and curled up on the palm of her mother's hand, fell asleep and vanished. "Aki dreams, I allowed you to see her resplendent dream as a token of my appreciation. Consider it my gift to you, Usagi and Mamoru. I thank you both for taking care of her. You must combine your powers with those of your children and assist Aki when the time is right. I came to you now, because I felt the thread of the affinity loom pulse with an invigorating new power. I shall guide and protect you, my children, be happy and strong!"
Then the crystal monument returned to its usual form. Usagi hugged Mamoru. He smiled. They kissed and descended the steps. They began to walk back to their honeymoon suite.
Tokyo May 2005
Usagi woke to another warm windy Tokyo morning in Mamoru's arms. She didn't want to leave her secure and loving cradle. But her bladder demanded she rise, as did her growling stomach. She sighed, feeling sleepy and with some reluctance disentangled, she from Mamoru's loving arms and climbed out of bed, stumbling naked into the bathroom.
Putting on her bunny robe, she walked into the living room and turned on the PC, and straightened, pressing her hands against the small of her back.
Satisfied, she patted her warm rounded belly. She felt Chibi-Usa kick and giggled to herself.
After the confirmation of her pregnancy, Ami and Luna had explained how her Senshi anatomy would cope with the process of childbirth. Unlike human women, she'd give birth twelve months after conception. Luna had added that all Senshi mothers-to-be gave birth at this time. Ami had squeezed Usagi's hand and assured her that labor and the birth itself would be far easier than it was for human women.
Returning to the bedroom, she sat on the bed, running her fingers through her husband's black locks and smiled as he rolled over and drew her to him.
"I have to check in with central control," she said aloud as Mamoru mumbled a good-morning. Rolling onto his side, he reached for his boxers. She smiled lovingly at him, kissing him.
"See you in the kitchen, Muffin; I'll put on a pot of coffee,"
"Sounds delightful, Usako, be right there!"
Usagi checked into Central Control and spoke to Artemis and Minako while sending the data.
After logging off, she took a quick shower and ten minutes later, stood in the kitchen pouring two cups of hot coffee, adding cream to her mug. Mamoru stood in his robe mug of coffee in hand admiring her loveliness.
They chattered companionably through breakfast. Usagi then picked up the phone to call Suzanne Cherry Blossom; a senshi's work it seemed was never done.
