Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

Diamohns are Forever	By : SailorSol Category: Sailor Moon > General Views: 22490 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 17
- 18
- 19
IMPENDING DOOM

Akari woke up shivering, despite the heat of the Tokyo summer. Mamoru and Usagi had been on their honeymoon for two weeks For some reason, Akari had been feeling colder and colder. The actual temperature had nothing to do with her feelings. The thermometer, even in the early morning, hovered above 75 Fahrenheit. She huddled closer to her husband, to find that he, too, was wracked with spasms as if from intolerable cold.

�Perhaps some hot tea would warm us,� she murmured to him, very well aware that he was not asleep.

�It couldn�t hurt,� he said. He slid out of the bed and wrapped himself into a quilted gold velvet robe with a heavy silk lining. He slipped his sock-clad socks into matching slippers and led the way downstairs.

In the kitchen, they found ChibiUsa huddled in front of the open oven door, with the oven turned on. She was in flannel pajamas, a flannel nightgown, and a quilted robe over it. She had heavy socks on her slippered feet, and another pair of socks over her hands.

�ChibiUsa,� Akari said as she checked the tea kettle to see if it was full. �Is something wrong?�

�I c-c-can�t get w-w-w-warm,� she complained. �I f-f-feel f-f-frozen.�

�We all do, little bit,� Vincent said. He pulled a kitchen chair over in front of the open oven door and pulled the shivering girl into his lap. �Akari, she�s shakin� almost as hard as me!�

�I�m going to call Aster as soon as it is light,� Akari said. �Something is not right. Even down here, the thermometer says that it is well over 70 degrees Fahrenheit.�

�You ain�t just whistlin� Dixie,� Vincent said. He wrapped his arms around ChibiUsa, desperately trying to warm both himself and the girl in his arms.

~*~*~*~*~*~

In Chiba, Mamoru woke up shivering, to find the other half of his bed empty. He looked around and saw Usagi standing in front of one of the picture windows, looking across the bay at Tokyo.

�What�s wrong, Usako?� he asked.

She turned abruptly, startled, and then she crossed the room to sit on the edge of the bed.

�I can�t sleep,� she complained. �This was fun for a while, Mamo-chan, but I�m bored, and I miss everyone. I want to go home.�

�We were going back for that dinner for the University,� he reminded her. �Is that soon enough for you?�

�No, Mamo-chan,� she said, turning tear-filled eyes to him. �Something terrible is coming. I feel like I�m freezing to death, a little at a time. I went to the window to look at the moon. I feel like there�s a shadow on it. It�s nearly full, and there�s no shadow, but I feel like there is. I want to go home, to our friends, and to our family. I want to be ready when this comes, whatever it is.�

�Okay, Usako,� Mamoru said, climbing out of the bed. �If you want to go home now, we�ll go home now.�

***** *****

They drove through the gates leading to their new home at nearly four-thirty in the morning. They climbed out of the car, feeling as though they had been cold for the entire trip, even though the thermometer in the car registered nearly 80 Fahrenheit.

The doors of the car had barely closed when the main door of the house opened, and ChibiUsa came running out, clad in heavy winter nightwear, and with socks on her hands. She flung herself at Usagi, crying.

Usagi wrapped her arms around her future daughter, looking helplessly at her new husband. It was rare for ChibiUsa to cry these days, and nearly unheard of for her to cling to Usagi for comfort.

Mamoru solved the situation by picking ChibiUsa up and leading Usagi into the house.

In the entry, he slipped off his shoes and put on his �masked� slippers. He noticed absently that there seemed to be several unfamiliar sets of shoes in the entry.

He led Usagi into the main room of the ground floor, and was immediately drawn to the glow of a fire in the side room near the kitchen.

They approached the glow of the fire and stopped, startled.

Three couches had been moved from their places, to form a partial barrier around the fireplace, mostly to hold heat. Inside the area defined by the couches were all of the Senshi, sitting with men that Mamoru barely knew, and that Usagi only knew a little better.

Closest to the fire were Aster and Vincent on one side, and Rei and Eduard on the other. Both pairs were huddled under quilts. Next to the Solar Powers was Sean with Hotaru in his lap. Mina was cuddled up on Eduard�s other side, with Martin pressed up to her.

Haruka was at the back of the group, with Nathan and Quentin on either side of her. Washino and Tori were each reclining on a side couch, alert despite their discomfort. Their status as lower-powered satellites, and the nature of their primaries protected them from the worst of whatever was affecting the others.

In the center of the area was Akari and Ami, with some space left over. Makoto and Robert were huddled together near Akari under some quilts with Thomas, all of them curled up to conserve body heat. ChibiUsa reached out and took Usagi�s hand and pulled on it.

�In there, Mamo-chan,� she said. �It�s warmer there.�

Mamoru made his way to the open space in the middle. He sank down with his arms still around ChibiUsa, with Usagi next to him.

�Does anyone have any idea what is going on?� he asked while they bundled quilts around them.

�Rei�s been having visions for a while,� Aster replied. �She�s been seeing giant bugs, but nothing to indicate where it�s coming from or when it will start.�

�I see you�ve been keeping track of things,� he said, smiling. He gasped in satisfaction as Akari handed him a bowl of nearly-boiling tea.

�That�s part of my job, Your Highness,� Aster said, her pleasant voice heavy with mockery. �At any rate, Hotaru�s been hearing a sound in the silence since Akari was kidnapped. Haruka started hearing voices on the wind the day we bonded to Sean. I�ve been feeling a shadow on the sun for a while now, a bit before Akari was kidnapped. Mina started acting cold last week. Mako-chan didn�t feel anything until today. Thomas was just feeling an increasing sense of dread, and he thought it was due to his misgivings about his planet powers.�

�Wonderful,� Mamoru said. �I would hazard a guess that whatever it is, it�s coming soon.�

The talk soon settled down to more mundane things, and soon ChibiUsa, who was snuggled between her future parents, fell into a more restful sleep, apparently feeling much safer with both of them there. Shortly after that, Usagi drifted off as well, her head resting on Mamoru's shoulder even as the pink-haired child nestled against her side. The two of them looked so innocent like that, as if they didn't have a care in the world, and Akari decided that she would do everything that she could to preserve that peaceful moment for them.

"She's asleep." Mamoru said unnecessarily. "I had hoped that she'd feel more relaxed here at home. Now, I'm glad that I was right. She'll need all the strength she can muster before too long."

"I know, Mamoru-chan." Akari said softly, her eyes in her lap. "I can feel it, like a gaping wound in the Earth itself. I fear that it will be very soon. I am afraid that I cannot be more accurate than that. Please forgive me for my failings."

"What's to forgive?" he questioned gently. "Why must you be the one who has to figure this thing out? I feel it too, you know. I have more experience in things like this, and I can't tell anyone more than the fact that something is coming. We know nothing of this new enemy, and I think that we're damn lucky to feel anything."

"If you say so, Mamoru-chan." she replied, bowing from where she sat. "I still feel that I should be able to sense it. I have felt and identified everything else concerning the Earth. Why can I not tell when the attack is coming, and what it's nature will be?"

"At least we have some warning." he said evenly, then sighed. A glance told him that she was within easy reach, and he wished that he dared to hold her as he did his sleeping kanai. "That's much better than we've ever had before now. Previously, we had no warning at all, and had to find out about these things the hard way."

"That was prior to the time that the rest of us arrived." Akari smiled. "I feel that we will be able to face this new challenge, and defeat it. We are much stronger together than we are separately. I may not be able to make accurate predictions about such things, but I do feel very strongly that we will prevail. ChibiUsa is our proof of this, Mamoru-sama. She is your future daughter, and thus, our promise of the future."

"Well," he chuckled back warmly. "Since you put it that way, I have no other choice but to believe you. Since ChibiUsa is here, I guess that we do win this fight. You see things so clearly, Akari-chan. I envy you in a way."

"There is nothing to envy." she hung her head, flustered by his comment. "I only tell you what I know to be true. I am your Partner in this conflict, and my Earth Powers are at your disposal. You should know that I will always be there when you have need of me."

"I wish that you weren't my sister, Akari." his voice turned sad and filled with longing. "I need you so very much right now. In more ways than one."

"I know." she whispered, her pale-hazel eyes filling with hot tears that soon spilled down her cheeks, the drops hitting her hands that lay in her lap. "I have the same need for you. But there is nothing that we can do about the karma that made us siblings. We must learn to live with our own fates, even if we do not like them. But you have the greatest destiny of us all. You will be the King of Earth, and your Lady will be your Queen. I am nothing compared to that."

"Don't talk about yourself that way." he said almost sternly, and she cringed away from his tone slightly.

"I'm sorry, Akari." he apologized quickly, deeply regretting his sharp words. "What I meant to say was that I don't like hearing you put yourself down all the time. I love you, and I always will. Nothing will ever change that."

A sigh from Minako brought both of them out of the solitary conversation they had been in, and they realized that all of the others were watching them, most with sympathy, and a few, like Aster, with compassion and understanding.

With a panicked look, Mamoru looked over at his sleeping wife and future child.

�Don�t worry, Mamoru,� Aster said. �Our lips are sealed. Usagi will never hear about this from us. Right girls?�

Murmurs of assent came from the other Senshi in the room. No one was willing to uncover themselves enough to bring out hands to shake.

The morning proceeded from there as if everything were normal

Now that they were back home for the day, Mamoru, Usagi and ChibiUsa could discuss their misgivings, and make arrangements for ChibiUsa to be taken care of that night while they were at the benefit. Aster and Haruka were also attending the function, so Hotaru decided that she would stay with her best friend. All of the men at the Frat House volunteered to take the small girls out on a 'date', which would include dinner at a barbecue restaurant and several rounds of miniature golf, both of which could be found in one of the tall buildings in the Shinjuku District of the city. The girls loved the idea, and they ran off together, hand in hand, eager to play together before they had to get ready for the outing.

***** *****

Aster arrived shortly before five o'clock so that the three women could get dressed for the social function they were all attending.

Haruka had it easy, since she preferred to wear men's clothes, but even she had a new tuxedo, a midnight blue velvet with a gold lame tie and cummerbund. Mamoru had chosen to wear white, to offset his wife, who would be in ivory.

For several hours the golden-eyed woman fussed with the other two, first Usagi, then Akari, and back again. Fortunately, she had already dolled herself up before she had come to the huge house, so she had little left to do for herself, and she planned on stunning everyone who would be there at the University.

The plan was, since they would all be going around the same time, that Mamoru and Usagi would enter first, so that everyone could ogle at Usagi, and drool after her extremely handsome husband. While all eyes were them, Akari would go inside with her escort, shadowed by their brilliance, and hopefully she could avoid the attention of others. And, if anyone did notice her, Aster would be right behind her in a scarlet gown that left nothing to the imagination, and was virtually guaranteed to draw all eyes to her.

Aster knew that the reality would be vastly different from what her shy onesan wanted. Despite her constant desire to fade into the background, and her insistence that she was 'as dull as a rock', the golden-eyed woman was well aware that the older woman was truly very beautiful, but in a quiet, understated way. Now, if only there was some way to convince her of her true beauty.

At around six in the evening, the occupants of the house heard the 'Mosura Gate' sound, indicating that someone was coming up to the huge residence through the foot-gate.

ChibiUsa, who was waiting for the time when she was to meet with the men in the Frat House, ran to get the door, her tiny slippered feet making almost no sound on the wooden floor. The pink-haired girl opened the door before the visitor could knock, and he stared at her with a shocked look on his face.

He was dressed in a navy blue tuxedo with a paler blue shirt and medium blue tie and cummerbund, all of which served to compliment his medium blue hair and leaf green eyes. In his left hand he held a plastic-covered box containing a single lavender orchid, while the other was still raised, as if to rap on the stout wooden door.

"You must be here to see 'Kari!" she piped happily. "She's not done gettin' ready yet, so you'll have to wait. Come on in." She opened the door further to admit him, and he walked into the large entry.

"Take your shoes off." she admonished him as she led the way into the living room.

"Chiba-san," the man said as he walked up to Mamoru. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you under equal circumstances. The first time I saw you, you were in one of my classes several years ago at the University. My congratulations on your wedding, by the way. "

***** *****

On the second floor, Akari heard the voices downstairs, and her fears of the evening to come grew dramatically. She was nearly ready for the occasion, but now, she simply wished that she could melt into the floor. The clinging dusty-purple gown seemed to accentuate every curve, and it made her feel uncomfortable even though it had long, form-fitting sleeves and a high, almost Mandarin-style neckline. She had a sheer capelet of lavender chiffon that floated over the entire gown, down past her hips. Looking at it in the mirror, she decided that it covered a multitude of flaws, the biggest being the knit gown itself, and the next was the long slit that ended just below her lavender stocking top which covered her left leg.

"Relax, 'Kari. You look gorgeous." Aster said from behind her.

"Do you really think so?" the chestnut-haired woman asked plaintively. "This dress clings so much that I cannot wear anything under it, because it shows. Even the garter-belt does a little bit, but I need that to hold up my stockings."

"I told you, you look just great." the golden-haired woman assured her gently. "He'll love it."

"But everyone will stare at me tonight." the older one cried softly, hanging her head as if she wished to hide under her elaborate hair-style. "I just know that they will. How can I deal with that?"

"That's why Usagi and I are going to be with you." Aster smiled and winked at her. "I guarantee that no one will look at you once I walk in. "

"It's time to go downstairs now!" Usagi called from just outside the room that she shared with her husband, Mamoru. "Do I look alright?"

Both of the other women came out of Akari's room, which was situated on the opposite side of the huge house, and the three stared at each other, then Akari and Usagi started chattering about how no one would be looking at them for the other's beauty.

To Akari, it was a good thing, because she felt so self-conscious about her gown and make-up, but to Usagi, she was worried that even Mamoru would have a hard time keeping his eyes off of his magnificent onesan.

It was then decided that they would descend to the first floor in the order that they planned to enter the benefit, and let the men and Haruka decide who was the most lovely.

Usagi went first, pausing about five steps from the bottom and asking them to close their eyes. Then she finished her descent, and told them they could look while she did a small pirouette, the fullness of her ivory skirts flaring around her. There was a stunned silence for a few moments, then a collective sigh sounded.

"Usagi." Mamoru said softly, his voice filled with awe. "You are - beautiful! Just like a princess! With you on my arm, I'll be the envy of every man there."

"You're flattering." She giggled girlishly, a faint blush spreading over her cheeks. She had matured so much in the last few months, that she hardly resembled the scatter-brained girl she had been before, and Mamoru liked the change.

"But I think that Akari looks better than me. Come on down and show them!" she called up the staircase where the taller woman stood.

At first she didn't budge, but Aster nudged her gently, and whispered that it would be alright. Heaving a huge sigh, she started walking down the mahogany steps, her heart pounding in her chest. Would the Professor like the gown? Or would she make a fool of herself? She had a spare gown in her room that she could change into if this one was inappropriate for the occasion, and in her heart of hearts, she wished that it was. She felt over-exposed in the dress she was currently wearing.

"Please to close your eyes." she said in her quiet voice when she reached the fifth step from the bottom. When she saw Usagi nod, she continued down, and stood there, her hands clasped in front of her and her eyes demurely lowered.

"You may open your eyes now if you wish."

Another stunned silence filled the huge living room, longer than the first, and Akari began to blush furiously. She was now certain that the outfit was totally wrong, and her heart filled with shame. How could she have picked something that was so inappropriate? She hoped that she still had the time to change into the other gown, and was just about ready to dash back up the stairs when her ears caught the breathy sounds of soft sighs.

"Is this not right for tonight?" she asked timidly, her heart hammering wildly. "I have another that I can wear if this does not meet with your approval."

"No!" Professor Tanamura exclaimed, stepping forward a pace, one hand raised as if to stop her. "It's � perfect! You look magnificent! Don't change a thing."

"I agree." Mamoru said with a sigh. "I don't think I've ever seen you look so beautiful. If I wasn't your brother, and a married man, the Professor would have to fight me to take you out tonight."

"Hey, you'd have competition there, fancy-pants." Haruka said in her low voice. "If I didn't know that Aster plans to shock everyone with her dress, I'd be first in line to take Akari out."

"Wait just one minute!" Tanamura Kojiro interjected, moving forward again, the corsage held out. "She's my date tonight. And I get to be the one to give her this. I had hoped that I got the kind of flower that you liked, but I figured that you can't go wrong with an orchid." And with that, he deftly pinned the blossom to the left shoulder of her gown through the gauze float.

"I reserve the right to dance with her." Mamoru said evenly, his sapphire eyes still practically glued to her.

"So do I." Haruka added, a small smile on her face. "If she doesn't mind dancing with a girl, that is."

"Of course she doesn't mind." Aster said from the foot of the stairs where she had watched this display for the last few minutes.

All eyes turned to the new sound, and the silence struck once more as each of the tuxedoed figures stared at the golden-haired vision in a skin-tight scarlet gown of plush velvet that was slit up one side to mid-thigh, exposing gold stockings, and had a key-hole neck-line that accentuated her ample cleavage.

A long velvet shawl was draped loosely around her shoulders, which, though it hadn't been intended that way, matched the dress perfectly. Over one arm, she carried a long scarlet cape that she was going to use to draw attention to herself once she arrived.

"You can dance with Akari, if I get to do the same with Aster." Kojiro said to Haruka, awed by the magnificent sight. "She is my cousin, after all."

"You're drooling, Professor." Haruka smiled even wider, walking over to her and extending her arm in the male fashion. "This one is my date for tonight. Shall we go?"

"Of course." Aster smiled up at her masculine-looking mekake. "I thought I heard ChibiUsa down here."

"You did." Mamoru said, a twinkle in his eyes. "But she's already gone over to the Frat House. I hear that all of the other girls are there as well, so that the rest of the guys won't feel so left out. They'll all be going out together."

"Sounds good to me." Aster nodded. "I can't think of better hands for her to be in. Now, shall we go before poor Akari loses what little nerve she still has?"

The couples paired off, and headed out to their cars for the short drive to the University. Professor Tanamura led Akari to the rental that waited by the foot-gate, while the others went to their vehicles parked in the driveways of the huge property, Mamoru to the one by his house, and Aster headed for the one by her place. Before too long, all three were pulling in to parking spaces near each other at the University.

TBC
- 17
- 18
- 19
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Diamohns are Forever