dotmoon.net
Directory

Melantha the Ultimate Nemesis by Loki

previous  Chapter 3 An Unwelcome visitor  next

An Unwelcome visitor


The air was filled with the lilting tones of a sweet Japanese female vocalist emanating from the Sakura Jinja’s sound system. Fragrant incense burned in silver braziers upon the polished marble walls of the study. Hino Rei sat at her mahogany desk and lifted her eyes from the letter she was writing and stared at the framed picture of Chiba Mamoru -- son of the Chinese president Hu Jing-Quo, and future co-ruler of the Pan Asian Federation.

She wrote in a well-scripted hand, the letters folding into one another with a sophisticated grace beyond her years – her Grandfather always commented on her beautiful handwriting and this always warmed her heart. She preferred to send handwritten letters as this was a matter of honor and respect to those she cared about most.

It wasn’t that she had an aversion to the computer as a tool of communication, far from it. Rei loved using the notebook and any computer for that matter, she assigned it a special place in her life, much poetic prose she had written and the stories she had often sent for publication, many of which appeared in magazines and published on the web attested to this fact. Another of her passions was on-online games. Role-playing gave her the opportunity to enter worlds that she would otherwise have no access. They were outlets for a range of emotions and in particular, her fiery temper where she could dispose of Youmas or villains of various kinds without hurting a fly. It was lots of fun, too.

But right now, she had other things on her mind. She had mixed feelings about her first meeting with Mamoru and the crown princess Usagi. She paused only long enough to allow her thoughts to wander back to the point when all this began.


China the previous year


She had received the certified mail delivery whilst in Beijing to work with the international relief fund for the restoration of vital infrastructure within those cities continuing to struggle decades after the Millennium conflict of 2009.

It was an invitation to meet the president of China in person to discuss a matter of great import. Her heart felt a sense of trepidation and at the same time, elation at meeting such a powerful leader. She was honored, having already made up her mind to accept.

The following afternoon, she answered a knock at her door. Rei found herself confronted by two good-looking, fashionably dressed men. She bowed respectfully and excused herself as she gathered her coat and shoulder bag and allowed herself to be led to a waiting Mercedes as it purred by the curb. She did a double take, absorbing the scene before her and her eyes doubled in size.

People on the street looked on in awe of the young woman as she climbed into the back of the presidential car. She immediately felt her body sinking into the soft plush leather seat. She closed her eyes as the Mercedes started on its journey, escorted by an armed escort to the president’s personal residence.

~*~

Shortly after being shown her room and unpacking, Rei explored her quarters. She took in the vast wardrobe of rich teak filled with stunning clothes all in her size. Next on her list was the bathroom, and she certainly wasn’t disappointed. The black marble vanity and huge bath set into the floor were truly breathtaking. She gasped at the magnificent solid gold fittings, colorful towels, and beauty care products provided for her benefit and smiled to herself.

She also loved the notion of being waited on by two young female attendants clad in long flowing gowns that highlighted their natural beauty to perfection in the classic early millennium style, their long black plaits braded with a sweet scented indigo flower pinned to their hair, their soft spoken manner made her feel like a queen. They would do their best to please their new mistress for however long required.

Later that evening, she was the guest of honor at a banquet followed by a gala-ball where she danced with the president himself and a host of amazing men.

It was like a story out of Japanese fairy-tale. But like any such fantasy, there was always a catch.

The next day, Rei found herself brought back to Earth when the president began to explain what was required of her. She was asked to serve the interests of both her people and those of the future alliance that depended upon her acquiescence. But as overwhelming as all this was, this in itself hadn’t concerned her. But what did worry her was the manner in which she must perform this task.

She just stared at the forbidding countenance of the dark haired man before her as the import of his words struck home. She wanted to cry, shout at him, as was her custom when she was cornered and infuriated. But you didn’t do that to the man who commanded 190 million people and held your fate within the palm of his hand.

She bowed her head, responding with a slow nod. He surprised her by getting up out of his chair, crossing the floor and lifting her jaw with a gentle hand. He wiped away her tears.

"I do not expect you to seduce Mamoru; I only want you to give the impression you have. I must apologize if I came across as a gauche tyrant that wanted you to serve as concubine to our purpose -- far from it, " she was immediately relieved and she sniffed and blew her nose. He smiled and poured them each a sherry and handed her the glass and begun again, "I knew and respected your mother."

Rei looked at him angrily, but sank back in her seat as he raised his hands in a gesture of placation and pressed on, "Please, allow me to finish. I know it is painful for you to speak of her, but it is important you know the whole truth about how truly wise and caring your mother was. She did not die in vain, nor had she perished in a plane crash as you were told," he said. The young woman sitting before him began to shake and her lips quivered as tears slipped down her alabaster cheeks.

"But how do you know all this, Mr. President?”

He smiled and Rei listened. "First off, please call me Hu, my friends always do…it means Tiger you know…Now where was I? Oh yes, Kamui was one of Japan’s bravest women…perhaps the bravest woman on Earth. She risked her life, as did her team to help us find a cure for the deadly bird flu pandemic. You see Rei, her work and that of her team remains to this day, classified under the international charter of peace and cooperation. We were also grateful for the Empress’s intervention to provide the funds necessary to allow your mother to continue her research. Without her valiant efforts, millions more would have died. And for this reason alone, we are more than willing to participate in the formation of the Pan Asian Federation. The China of the past was all but destroyed by disease and to a lesser extent, the war. This is why we agreed that Tokyo be the new capital of the federation. Not long after receiving the financial support from Empress Aiko, we were able to deliver the vaccine to the entire population within twelve months of its production. The truth is -- your mother is a heroine. Empress Aiko will be announcing this at the next Cherry Blossom festival, a day after the embargo on the post-war documentation expires."

Rei hugged the president and wept afresh, cradled in the arms of Mamoru’s father, crying like a child. After regaining her composure and a second glass of sherry later, she smiled. "I am happy to help in any way I can, Hu-sama."

He nodded and explained exactly what was expected of her. It wasn’t in any way as bad as she had first thought. "I need you to play, how is it said, to play…devils advocate and help to bring Usagi and my son closer together,” he finished, seeing the look of understanding in Rei’s eyes.

How could she say no? She flew back to Tokyo, resolved to bring Usagi and Mamoru together and make the marriage a truly meaningful one. She sighed at the memory as she continued to write.

"Mamoru-chan, Usagi doesn’t realize how lucky she is, and I, must help you both accept your destiny. I must admit though," she whispered to herself, "It’s not going to be easy." Rei sighed, finished writing her letter, and looked at the picture of Mamoru once more. She knew that she was attracted to him, but using these feelings to rouse emotions of jealousy in Princess Usagi would prove to be more difficult than she had first supposed.

The sound of birdsong chiming melodically through the open window looking onto the ornate gardens surrounding the Cherry Hill Temple brought her thoughts back to present matters. She loved the evocative fragrant scent of Cherry Blossom as it caressed her nostrils. The cascade of raven-black silk ruffled by the warm breeze bestowed its blessing upon the troubled and beautiful Miko. She sealed the letter and ran through a checklist of things to do before she flew to Portugal the next day.

Rei was the only daughter of Hino Tsuti, her estranged father. She sighed, a delicate hand -- almost pearl white in contrast to the flowing sleeve of her emerald-green silk robes as she placed the envelope in her bag.


Portugal


Usagi slept soundly that night. Dreams of sun splashed days with her parents and sister playing on the beach while on holiday in California at the age of eight years presented themselves with all the magic and embellishment of the child’s imagination – she basked in the magic that swept her away in the theatre of her re-constituted girlhood. She felt content and at peace, and it was this feeling that stayed with her as she opened her eyes to greet the new day -- a wistful smile upon her lips as she tossed back the bedclothes, and pushed herself up on her elbows and looked at the empty space where Mamoru had lain the night before and sighed.

I don’t really hate him. He was so gentle and understanding yesterday, she thought, biting her lower lip. He is just as uncomfortable as I about this… arranged marriage of state. Therefore, I ought to talk to him about it and lower my guard. He hasn’t forced himself on me all these six months past, far from it. Perhaps today we can sit and talk about our situation. He might surprise me.

With these thoughts swirling around in her head, Usagi drew her knees under her chin, and watched a little bird outside her window atop a branch bedecked with pastel pink blossom -- the musical message of the tiny emissary dancing upon its perch delighting the young woman as she raised her arms over her head and stretched.

Soon she was seated at the kitchen table and sipping on a latté. "Mamoru, thanks for last night. It was a wonderful evening."

"Yes it was…did you sleep all right?"

"Like a log, how about you…any bad dreams?"

"Not a single one…I did dream about you though," he said with a smile.

Usagi arched her eyebrows. "And pray tell, what exactly did you…dream about me, huh?" She leaned forward on her elbows, looking so beautiful, her arms smooth and bare as were her shoulders as her sweet face held his attention as he thought about the dream where he had danced with her on the patio and they had moved close together, their bodies as one as they looked into one another’s eyes. Then he brought his lips to hers. She opened her mouth to his need and they kissed long and passionately. He blushed at the memory of her soft naked flesh against his bare chest. Usagi was looking at him strangely, her head tilted in that cute way of hers as he caught himself re-living the tender moment and coughed. "Sorry Usagi, but…" he said, a little embarrassed.

"Must have been some dream, huh…" she giggled, and looked down as her own cheeks turned a shade of beet-red. But she could have kicked herself as she broke the spell between them and broached the subject of their marriage and hadn’t given thought to how to introduce the subject with more care. “Mamoru, I was wondering if we might talk about our situation.”

Mamoru looked up from the newspaper, his reading glasses making him look so much like a university professor it made her chuckle. “Huh? I am sorry Usagi, what was that?”

“I said, I thought it about time we talked about…you know…us. I mean our situation concerning our marriage and all…” she trailed off, noting the look of concern and something else she couldn’t quite make out. She thought to herself, is that hurt in his eyes.

“Yeah, I know… I feel so bad about being in a situation that forces you to suffer me as a husband against your will. Hell, we are both victims of international politics, are we not? “His statement seemed to pierce her heart, and the sensation made her feel uncomfortable and she averted her eyes, preferring instead to gaze upon the dappled light of the swimming pool reflected upon the veranda outside.

When she spoke next, it was with a gentler tone, “I know, but we love our people and have made a sacrifice that is noble and will benefit the entire world,” she found herself reciting to a frowning Mamoru. Her words sounded hollow, even to herself. It was a story, the catch cry of politicians and interests that had rushed each of them headlong into this liaison without regard for their dreams and desires. They were pawns, shifted from one square to the next, pillars of imperial aspirations. So long had her mother, Empress Aiko spouted the rhetoric of emancipated woman within the Japanese royal family. Why, she was the personification of the perfect liberated woman. She did as she pleased, dressed like a woman half her age and could get away with it, not only because she was the empress, but also because she looked the same age as her daughter. Not one implant, nor body restoration was responsible for this, simply the magic of the woman that was her incredible and irrepressible mother. Her mother was a Goddess -- a royal Senshi, as the Tokyo media often called her, yet in this matter, she was not unlike an Edo period monarch -- kowtowing to a patriarchal edict and placing the life of her daughter upon the pyre of political expediency.

“Damn our legacy! Don’t you think I know you’re unhappy as am I with all this?” His arm swept across the table indicating the house and its surrounds, “I gave up as much as you. I had a life, a girlfriend and was quite content with my insignificant little life thank you very much, when my father dragged me from my studies and told me it was all…how did he put it…yeah…a western fantasy!” Mamoru felt the anger bubble to the surface, surprising and at the same time, making Usagi feel both a sense of trepidation and a little afraid.

She immediately pushed these feelings aside and met his steely stare. “I know… I too had a life, not much of one by the standards of my parents, but I was free to pursue what I wanted. I had to sacrifice all that and become a responsible member of the royal family and set …a good example to the people of Japan… please! I know my responsibility as princess and heir to the Chrysanthemum thrown, but, Mamoru, we are both victims and we need to work together to at least try and make this work, though I must add that we are going to do our level best to be ourselves. If we must live out this charade, let’s at least do it our way!”

Mamoru nodded. He could not argue with her, for he too felt as she on this matter. He excused himself as the cell phone rang on the marble bench top and answered it. “Yes… I see. She is coming over this afternoon…okay. Father, of course, I have no objections, as if that mattered…no, I am not angry, just a little put out that my life is being planned out for me. Forgive me, but at least allow me to accept this grudgingly,” he broke off, trying to control his rage. His father and himself had been barely on talking terms since the marriage, and it seemed the gulf between them was not about to close anytime soon, “Yes, Usagi and I are getting along…fine. This girl, why are you sending her? I have a secretary and she is more than capable. She works in the study for five hours each Monday and Thursday and doesn’t complain or disturb the household in any way… So, why …” Usagi had tuned out of the conversation and played with her cereal with her ornate silver spoon with its Chinese motifs staring back at her as if they would speak to her and reveal the secrets of the Universe at any moment. She wished they could give both herself and Mamoru a way out of their dilemma.

~*~

It had been a long trip; Hino Rei sank into the soft cushioned sofa with unbound gratitude. She was a Shinto priestess, but a pawn in affairs of state. She never dreamed it would come to this. She had to make the princess jealous -- huh, as if. She thought to herself, remembering Aiko’s serious expression, a look that you didn’t ignore, a look that you knew spelt…"Do not fail me!" Therefore, here I am, in Portugal, to replace the lovely and – safe – Juanita, all of sixty-two years and a mother of five adult children. No, she had to play the role of seductress, clad in emerald silk, behaving like a siren. Oh well, it makes a change from the Cherry Hill Temple. I hope my Ogii-san can manage without me for the next month, she thought, throwing herself backwards upon the huge sofa that was more like a bed than a piece of lounge room furniture. She thought about Chad, her musician friend who had asked her to be his girlfriend after wining and dining her at a well-known Tokyo restaurant, often frequented by American and European tourists. She smiled at the memory – with this thought she fell asleep.

~*~

Usagi thought it a good suggestion to attend art classes as she had missed these since leaving home and her former life as a single woman. Now, she would make up for lost time. If she must be -- married – she wasn’t going to lead a dull, bare-foot and pregnant existence and give up her life -- not on my watch, she told herself, wincing at the thought. One day she wanted a family, sure, but at a time of her own choosing. Shaking herself free of these unwanted thoughts, she continued packing her backpack, then turning her attention to her art equipment.

~*~

The sun was hazy in the afternoon sky. Umino sat a short distance away sketching and throwing Usagi ideas. Umino Kai was a student of art at Tokyo University and the only person who knew where Usagi and Mamoru were staying aside from the Chinese and the royal palace in Tokyo.

"Your paintings are getting better all the time, Usa-chan. I must admit, I am impressed. I would love to show these in my humble gallery back home," he grinned as Usagi reddened a little at the compliment.

Then, placing her sketching stick of charcoal down, she sighed and turned to her friend. "Umino, I am feeling so out of touch, I need a distraction, a way to find myself. Mamoru is a nice guy and all, but I feel as if I am being gobbled up by a giant plant…I miss mom and everyone back home terribly and would do anything to get away on my own for a while. But the security contingent won’t let me spit without them knowing about it. Look over there; see the guy with the long blonde hair and dark glasses in the gaudy bright-blue safari suit? He follows me everywhere and I can’t shake him."

"You’ve tried then."

"Yeah, but he is too good, believe me, if I could slip away and spend a little time at the beach and hyper-surf for an afternoon, I would be ecstatic. The beach is forty-five minutes by hover-car from here. Mamoru is working today, and I have no way of getting away. I have suggested he take more time off, but he is working at home. His father called and Mamoru urged me to spend the afternoon painting. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, but—"

"You want a challenge, to get away for a while and live a little dangerously?" he said with a knowing smile.

"Yup, you got it in one…" she trailed off as Umino winked and typed something on his notebook, which just happened to have a satellite up-link.

Five minutes later, the tall rugged security guard had vanished. "Huh?"

"Come on, leave this here, nobody will take it…we are going to do a little cyber-surfing and other cool things," he said, grabbing her by the hand, pulling her away from her easel.

Usagi could have kissed him at that point, but erred on the side of conservatism and hugged him instead, almost knocking him off his feet as they moved at a gallop towards his four-wheel-drive.

~*~

They had stopped off at a small fishing village on the way. Usagi bought a hot-pink bikini and a sunhat and other coastal requirements needed for a beachside sojourn. They stopped at a sidewalk café, and while Umino waited for Usagi to change in the restroom, he ordered their drinks and food.

They ate companionably, and were soon joined by the locals and the occasional tourists, chatting happily away incognito beneath floppy sunhats and behind trendy shades, sipping iced-coffee. Then they treated themselves to a delicious tuna fish salad.

~*~

Fifteen minutes later, they were at the beach. The sun burned like a golden arc lamp in a turquoise sky as the laughter of children and their parents, young girls with their friends and others milled about on the crystalline sands while others surfed or just swam in the surf.

Umino led her by the hand to the sky deck, they purchased their tokens and typed into a consol and the attendant introduced himself, "Hi, folks, I am Motoki, and you are the crown princess Usagi of Japan, are you not?" he asked in a mischievous tone, knowing exactly who she was.

Usagi grinned her wicked smile and went along with the charade, “Oh Motoki-chan, you make a terrible James Bond in that disguise, how on Earth did you manage to get away from Luna’s watchful eye.”

“I have my ways…just let’s say, Luna owes me one,“ he grinned and winked.

She pulled a face at Motoki, as was her practice whenever she wanted to make him laugh.

Like mother – like daughter… he thought, remembering the copious occasions in the past when the Empress would pull similar such stunts at court. Everyone broke into fits of laughter as Motoki lost it -- the perfect salve for Usagi’s wound up emotions. "Well chill, Usagi…if I may be so bold," he chirped after catching his breath.

"You may, my good sir," she smiled.

"I might join you guys in a little while; I am finishing my shift at two, so prepare for a duel, okay?"

"You’re on," Usagi replied, accepting the challenge.

"I must warn you. I will give you a run for your money," buddy, Umino declared good-naturedly, and they all laughed.

Before long, Usagi and Umino were sailing over a holo-landscape meters off the coast with others to a hot soundtrack. Motoki, as good as his word, joined them and the three of them performed a series of moves on a sky chess board, as children and adults atop their sky disks moved to the various points on the virtual board, a collection of animated holomorphic creatures taken from popular fantasy and science fiction, assumed their positions. Usagi loved how these looked so real. They had a ball.

~*~

Two hours later, Usagi and her retinue swam and sat talking for a time. Motoki cracked jokes that had Usagi rolling on the sand, laughing uncontrollably.

A short time later, Usagi’s expression assumed a dreamy childlike sheen as her crystalline eyes widened – to almost twice their normal size as she suggested, "Let’s go collect shells. I love all the high-tech entertainment, but I want a change of pace."

The guys grinned, and allowed Usagi to lead the way, each man admiring the resplendent golden limbs of the playful princess as she darted in and out of the breaking waves to collect shells. The guys joined her. After collecting a few of these, they resorted to playing tag and Usagi was – it -- ducking into the waves with the guys in hot pursuit. Usagi threw all cares to the four winds. She was, for the moment at least, a free spirit; a sea nymph, liberated from Neptune and his minions, to frolic, dance, and sing. Her plaits also danced as she skipped upon the wet sands -- the waves prostrating themselves before her as she sang a childhood nursery rime.

Umino and Motoki were captivated by her sweet voice and spellbound by the sparkling salt crystals that shone like diamonds upon her resplendent body. She was truly beautiful.

~*~

Exhausted and almost out of breath, the three young beachcombers sat on a patch of dried grass a short distance away. Motoki produced a bag of ham and tomato rolls and a delicious bottle of fine white wine. He poured them each a glass as they ate heartily. They passed the time away in good conversation as the sun gradually moved across the sky towards dusk and another glorious sunset.

Usagi proposed a toast, “To glorious freedom and great friends,“ She exclaimed, throwing back her head laughing as the guys lifted their glasses in tribute and she continued, “To our grand and most bold escape…may we have many others,“ she slurred exaggeratedly.

The guys chimed their response. But as Usagi was about to sip her wine, she noticed two lone figures walking along the beach in their general direction, one was familiar to her, but the other, a dark-haired beauty with long raven-black hair that fell to her butt. She possessed a pure, almost translucent alabaster complexion. The woman sporting a red bikini and flashing a brilliant smile at Mamoru, her arm latched securely to his. Usagi just stared, totally taken aback.

“Usagi, is everything all right…“Umino questioned, but she refused to answer, jerking her head towards the shoreline -- the guys just stared like Usagi, turning one to the other in shock, “Its Mamoru,“ she managed.

Without so much as a -- by your leave – Usagi drained her glass and tugged the bottle from Motoki’s grasp and poured another for herself and drained that as well, “What the hell is she doing with him? She is all over my husband -- little ho!“

Usagi forgot everything, her friends, and the fun she had had and the desire to be free. She jumped to her feet and ran in the opposite direction -- Motoki and Umino hot on her heals.

~*~

The two men found her sitting in the passenger seat crying as they approached the princess with caution. She rested her cheek upon one amber knee, her eyes closed, the radio playing easy-listening music, the salt caked her face, and sand clung to her body as if she had flung herself down in the sand, Umino thought. “Usagi? You all right?“

She lifted her head and shook it. “Take me…home please Umino. Motoki, I am sorry, but I—“

“Hey, Usa-chan, its okay -- no apology necessary. I understand… We will all get together again soon…for pizza and a film.“

She nodded and pressed her cheek back upon her knee and sighed, “I am sorry for ruining the afternoon. I thought I didn’t care what he did. But that woman…I might not like being forced into a marriage of state, but I won’t have him gallivanting around-- flirting and consorting with floozies like her!“

Umino bit his lip, shocked by the vehemence in the young princess’s voice. He knew she felt more for Mamoru than even she was prepared to admit. But he wasn’t going to go there, especially now.

~*~

She closed her eyes. The heat within the cabin made her feel a little sleepy – her thoughts took her back to her childhood, when the world was a wondrous place filled with surprises and dangers unknown to such a little girl. Remembering how happy she was all those years ago.

Her first day at school, she remembered it as if it were yesterday. Those wonderful days when the palace limo would pull up outside the gates of Juuban primary school – she was a shy little golden-haired child with a pair of azure-blue orbs, far bigger it seemed than her sweet little face could hold, climbing out of the back seat holding her governess’s hand. Sara left her in the care of school staff. Usagi remembered walking into the building, her eyes taking in her surroundings with great interest.

In her third year, her extravagant excuses for not doing her homework were hilarious and quite inventive, even if she did say so herself. Haruna Sensei would shake her head, always chastising her for, as she put it, pulling rank on her – “But I am the princess and my mother is the Empress. I have important matters to attend to and must set aside such menial tasks like homework.“ This royal proclamation of course didn’t prevent Haruna sensei from giving the wayward princess a royal stint of detention. Usagi was infuriated after learning that her mother—had colluded – with Haruna sensei to make her life miserable. Oh, how she hated it. She would sit at her desk, a scowl on her usually cheerful face, staring at her reflection upon the window beside her as she completed her assigned tasks.

Even in her early to mid adolescence, she felt a zest for life and an unbridled enthusiasm for all it had to offer.
She hadn’t believed her friends who would constantly tell her as she attended high school that all the boys loved her. Usagi’s popularity had more than kept pace, but she preferred to hang out with a select group of friends: Umino, Ami, Makoto and her English exchange student friend, Mina Porter. Usagi would hold court under an old oak tree during the lunch break. She always sat cross-legged on the grass either eating or chatting companionably, or reading Manga to the group. Usagi recalled how much she loved Makoto’s cookies. She would stuff these into her mouth and talk at the same time. How she managed this incredible feet, to this day remains a mystery even to Usagi herself.

Ami would help her with homework; attempting to coach the uninterested teenager. Usagi was grateful to her friend. When she finally decided to take her education more seriously, it was Ami, who got her there.

When she spent two years as an exchange student in the US -- Agatha and Jerome Tyler were great house parents, their daughters, Simone and Jo were really bright and sweet girls, a little younger than Usagi, but so much fun and she could really talk to them. She still did. Study wasn’t a burden and she made friends easily and loved the new fads and popular culture of the Americans. Naturally, she missed life at the palace, but she knew she had that to come home to and took every opportunity to be as much of an – typical American girl – as she could. But this wasn’t Usagi’s first stint in the US in a student exchange arrangement. When she was eight years old. She had spent twelve fun months living on a ranch in Texas with a family. Dianna Diamond, a year younger than Usagi was her soul mate. The girls were inseparable. Dianna’s older brothers and sisters taught her to ride horses, she found this more fun than sky surfing, it was natural and the quintessence of freedom. Clean air, fresh food and good living and a quaint little grade school with a pre-millennium charm she simply adored. As far as she knew, it still stood and was maintained by the local county trust and still attended by young students. Dianna was from an Asian background also, her parents of mixed blood. Dianna’s father Chinese and mother an auburn haired farm girl born and bred on US soil. They were so in love. But the second foray into the American north continent she lived in New Seattle, recalling the day she left her adopted family behind and stepped into the departure lounge at the airport. Many hugs, and kisses and tears later, she told them she would always love them and each promised to keep in touch, and had done so. Her mother arranged regular flights from the US to Japan and vice versa for six weeks after the end of the Cherry Blossom Festival for her so she could visit her American friends.

Usagi sighed at these memories then thought about her friends in Japan, Makoto, Ami, and Setsuna and the fun they had with Motoki and Umino and the gang at the Crown Arcade. Those were the days.

~*~

She lifted her tear-stained face to see Umino smiling as he handed her a tissue through the window and she blew her nose, sat up in the soft leather seat, let out a slow breath, and composed herself.

“You okay, Usa-chan?“

“Yeah, look…sorry for losing it back there. I didn’t think it would bother me so much.“ She gave Umino a sheepish grin, and then set about wiping the sand and salt off her face, climbed out of the vehicle, and ran towards the surf and dove into the frothy crests and re-emerged a short time later like a sodden sprite, but she felt cleansed and refreshed. Motoki handed her a fresh towel, she dried herself off, and after her hair had dried, she brushed it and re-tied her Odangos.

~*~

An hour later, they returned to the village and hired three hybridized Penny-farthing bicycles; the frames constructed from a combination of carbon fiber and titanium was super-light and fun to ride.

“Let me help you there, Usa-chan,“ Motoki offered as Usagi smiled her thanks as she climbed upon her bike and soon all three took to the streets and made for the coastal road.

“This is so much fun, guys,“ Usagi cried out, her lilting voice competing with the warm breeze, the bitterness of the earlier events of the afternoon receding. She was so glad she had given in to Motoki and Umino and agreed to extend their time together after her impromptu little nap – she felt so much better for it.

They chatted companionably, while moving past a flock of ducks and children who seemed to be of one mind as they spread apart, creating a path for the cyclists to pass by.

“I love the exercise and you get to see so much more than you would of a place this way -- the people and the sights. Dusk is the most beautiful time of day in Portugal,“ Umino called to his companions who smiled their agreement.

“Can’t argue with that; see those old fishermen back there,“ Motoki said, jerking a thumb in their direction as they sat on a veranda a short distance away.

“Aha,“ she shouted back.

“They play the coolest music at that little café over there. Later, if you like, we can stop over…don’t worry, I have arranged for Mamoru to be informed that we are bringing you home at ten. Its cool.“

Usagi’s stomach sunk at the mention of his name, the image of a girl with her breasts practically falling from that impossibly non-existent bikini and those sultry eyes focused on her husband, made her blood boil. She just wanted to tear out her beautiful black hair by the roots and strangle her with it. She shook herself out of her momentary torpor and tried to bring herself back to the moment and reclaim the peace it afforded her. It took a little time, but before long, she was back in the zone.

Umino admired Usagi’s long graceful legs as they pumped the pedals, accentuating the sensational musculature that gave her the physical allure of an Atalanta or Aphrodite. He also appreciated, as did Motoki, how her body seemed one with the bike as she rode with grace and perfect balance.

~*~

Later, after returning to their original mode of transport, it wasn’t long before they’d pulled up outside the apartment. Umino and Motoki escorted her to the front door and Usagi invited them inside. “Coffee guys?“

“Sure, Usa-chan,“ Motoki replied, Umino also nodding his agreement, and they stepped inside.

The house seemed awfully deserted. She turned on the lights and found a note pinned to the notice board in the kitchen. Back at 11, work to do at the embassy office, sorry…chilly Konkani in the oven.
She shrugged, and heated up the food.

“Okay, guys, my gracious husband has thoughtfully provided a meal, so lets eat.“

“Okay, so where is the wine?“

Usagi grinned and opened the door to the wine cellar and ten minutes later, they were sitting to a delicious meal, glasses filled with a deep burgundy draught.

After the guys had left and Usagi had cleaned up, she retired to the study. Something looked out of place. At first, it was hard to determine exactly what that something was. Then she saw it. A valise on the workstations’ upholstered black-leather chair with an unusual emblem – a symbol of the planet Mars encircled by a garland of fire.

She approached the computer, noticed a faint scent, and frowned. Shrugging she left the study and returned to the living room and pored herself another glass of wine and slid open the glass doors leading to the patio and sat by the pool and stopped dead in her tracks. Two towels draped over two deck chairs, two empty glasses and the remnants of sandwiches lay suspiciously on a platter returning her stare.

She stood up and froze like a statue as the evidence began to assemble itself into a picture of a cheating husband. She gingerly picked up one of the glasses and examined it carefully, and sure enough, she found the telltale signature of bright rose-red lipstick upon its rim. She set it down, walked back into the house, put on some music, sat smoldering on the sofa, and waited.

Bang on eleven PM, the sound of laughter and keys in the door roused Usagi into a sitting position after she’d cradled herself into a ball and dozed. Like a cat on the prowl, she ran on bare feet to the atrium and stood facing the startled couple, arms folded, feet spread apart, her Odangos swinging like maces as she came to an abrupt stop and a look that the uncomfortable Miko knew could kill if given half a chance.

Usagi’s features contorted into a cruel smirk. “Well welcome home my husband, and who is your – little friend, huh...? Care to explain yourself!“ she spat as she continued to glower at the stunned raven-haired woman in a slinky short black dress who withdrew her arm from Mamoru’s. He looked completely helpless and ran a hand through his hair then slipped his keys into the pocket of his leather jacket and lowered his eyes.

In that moment, the dark haired woman reminded Usagi of a frightened rabbit caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. She would run this trashy rabbit down. "Mamoru, care to explain…what she is doing here and why you have the audacity to bring your lover here, of all places! At least you could have had the discretion to book into a hotel if you wanted a night of hot sex," she growled, balling her tiny hands into fists.

Rei was mortified at the accusation, and paled while Mamoru attempted to explain. "Usagi, its not what you think… You have it all wrong!" Mamoru blurted out, but she had not heard him.

She just continued to stare at them for a moment longer, before turning away, and stormed out of the atrium. She ran upstairs to her room, and shut the door behind her, throwing herself upon the bed and cried herself to sleep.

previous  Back to Summary Page  next

The dotmoon.net community was founded in 2005. It is currently a static archive.
The current design and source code were created by Dejana Talis.
All works in the archive are copyrighted to their respective creators.