Mirra's Trilogy 4

December 31st
Hikaru looked so peaceful while she slept.
Mirra couldn’t help but smile as she gently brushed a few hairs awayfrom her forehead, watching her slumber. How things have changed since that first night some months ago.

When Hikaru first fell asleep in Mirra’s bed she wore her day clothes and was there to comfort the other girl’s fears as she recovered from what Mimic did to her.

Two months ago she started wearing her jammies to bed, feeling more and more comfortable with Mirra. She had even started changing in front of Mirra for bed.

A few nights ago they made their first step towards lovemaking (slow, baby steps learning as they went) and haven’t looked back since.

* * * * * *

The night before

Mirra was all smiles as she finished dressing in her jammies. The soft material and new clothes smell just excited her. These were brand new pajamas from Hikaru, one of the gifts she got from her for Christmas. They fit her like a glove, and felt so soft against her bare skin. She particularly enjoyed the blue color and little bunny images on the fabric. She poked one of the rabbits (situated over her left nipple) and gasped, giggling abit at her reaction from her prodding. Quickly she jumped into bed, rolling on the soft bedding in her pajamas,
receiving a charge from the sensations that coursed through her.

“It’s like a slumber party in here everynight, isn’t it?”

Mirra bolted upright, blushing abit as she looked towards the door. “Uh--- hi, Umi---”

“Just thought I’d check in on you on the way to bed. You two…”

“----” Mirra blushes.

Umi smiled, “Oh-kay, Ok. I won‘t ask. I wouldn’t want to make you embarrassed.“

“I‘m not embarrassed.”

Umi nods as she exit’s the room, “Sure you’re not.“

“I‘m not!” she cries out, feeling the blood drain from her face leaving her flushed. She was abit shy, but not because she and Hikaru were becoming sexually intimate (slowly, with meek steps). She just didn’t want to talk about those things. They were their intimate acts that wasn’t Umi’s business.

“I’m not embarrassed.” Mirra sighs, lying down in her side of the bed to relish in the feel of her jammies. “---hmph---” Mirra grunts slightly as she rolls over on her stomach and buries her head in her pillow. “Umi‘s so nosey!” she rasps, her face blushing as she thinks about her answer.

She always seems to be prying for “juicy” details of what happens between the sheets at night, and it miffs Mirra to no end how Umi continues to harp for details of things she didn’t want to talk about. Maybe, however, she was embarrassed that she was learning stuff from
places that she felt ashamed to talk about openly, but she was so curious.

She had been “juicing” her age (mimicking an older person) to buy porn magazines, mostly of women/women love, and looking through them for “ideas” for the past few days. Admittedly she was still rather awkward when it came to her sexuality, and didn’t know how Cloud could be so mature next to her since they were used about the same amount of times (and “Aged” the same way).

As far as everyone was concerned, Cloud seemed to be a mischievous little girl to everyone, but Mirra knew how mature she was when she wasn’t “playing” around. Still, it gave her a little shock two days ago to wander in on “little” Cloud masturbating furiously in her room
while Kero was out. She didn’t seem at all like the little girl whose “body” she wore, but Mirra knew she wasn’t little at all, at least not in real age, the body was only her non-powered form--- her true form was older in appearance--- and taller.

After Cloud was done, Mirra sat down next to the exhausted “girl” and spoke to her, but she didn’t want to talk--- all she did was crawl under her blankets of her “bed” set in the corner and hide herself.

She was very prideful, and being caught by Mirra doing that to relieve herself only frustrated her and hurt her pride. She refused to come out again until Kero returned to play more video games, but by then Mirra had already left the pouting Clow “girl” behind to mope under her blankets.

For such a young little thing she was actually a mature woman, with needs that Mirra was only now beginning to grasp--- needs such as sexual fulfillment. However she didn’t like to display this need in front others, especially Kero to spare him the pain of having to watch
without being able to participate.

Make no mistake about it. She did love him, quite strongly, but as long as they were unable to achieve their true forms they could do little about that love other than keep it close to their hearts and mind their time. It might not have happened in the original “world”, but a lot of loves and happiness that were now possible didn’t happen before so Mirra didn’t gripe about their relationship in the slightest.

Absentmindedly she rolls over and reaches under the bed, retrieving one magazine to flip through as she waited for Hikaru to come to bed. As she flipped through each page she imagined it was her and Hikaru making love, and each thought in that direction made her smile. A free hand caressed her breast, plucking at her nipple causing it to harden as she looked at the pictures. The women in the magazine looked so staged, so fake, but Mirra only wanted inspiration so it didn’t matter to her as long as they looked like they were in love (so it didn’t matter if they were really in love or not).

“Thinking dirty thoughts?”

Mirra suddenly went pale, feeling a weight press onto her rear as she loomed behind her.

“Hik--hikaru---”

Hikaru’s fingers traced the page, rotating around one of the women’s breasts on the magazine, “Do you like big breasts? I know I‘m not adequate…”

“NO! No!“ Mirra spat out quickly, “I love you---”

“That’s not right!” Hikaru groans in a joking manner, her fingers digging into Mirra’s shoulders to massage her. “You have to say your lines correctly! You’re supposed to tell me how big my breasts are and how you love them!”

“Sorry.”

Hikaru smiles, helping Mirra put her magazine “away” back beneath the bed as she looks on. “I’m only joking, Mirra… I think you’re cute when you blush like that. It‘s so kawaii!!”

“I’m not blushing!” Mirra cried out, feeling herself grow even redder.

End of flashback

* * * * * *

What happened next--- Mirra blushed lightly at the thought.

They were still at an awkward early stage, and content with their light and innocent bondings, after awhile Hikaru helped Mirra slip her bottoms off and the two laid down in a 69 position and made love in this way (fingers and tongue helping along) until they were
exhausted and content.

Mirra couldn’t help herself. She couldn’t help but to blush thinking how intense and beautiful their little acts of love were some hours ago. The thought of each and every lick, stroke, and touch warm in her mind and deep within her heart. Unconsciously she wiggled her bottom
abit, still getting used to sleeping in the half buff (top only). Each wiggle sent a little jolt through her, the bedding’s soft material exciting her in strange little ways. She had slept for so long in jammies that the last few nights of only wearing half her clothes (after lovemaking) still wasn’t something she could get used to without the need to indulge in these little “jolts“ she got from the bedding--- at least not yet.

How Tomoyo-mama & Sakura-papa slept in the complete nude in these soft squishy blankets and beddings (which tickled her exposed bottom everytime she rolled over in bed and threatened to set her off during sex) was amazing (to her at least).

Mirra’s eyes narrowed slightly as her stomach grumbled. She was feeling a tad hungry.

That was another thing she envied Tomoyo-mama/Sakura-papa, their stamina.
It seemed as if they could make strong love (a few times over), sleep, and wake up at a normal hour to eat breakfast, but Mirra felt hungry two hours ago (only a short time after her light lovemaking) and that vexed her. She already felt inadequate and it would get worst she thought. How could she be hungry after such a low key session while mama and papa can love so intensely yet not seem hungry afterwards? Did she have that low a stamina?

Abit ashamed, she crawls out of bed (locating her pajama bottoms) and sneaks out of the room. She was just going to the kitchen for a snack, then back to bed. That‘s it. Inside the kitchen, however, she found that she wasn’t alone. Inside she found Cloud sitting despondently on the floor, looking upwards at the tall cabinets and a treasured box of
cookies she wanted (but was too short to reach since it was positioned so high out of her reach).

Using her power to easily access the box (by becoming an adult sized person), she passes the box to Cloud and walks to the refrigerator to scrounge up some stuff for breakfast. Admittedly she was still learning how to cook, and only mastered a few things like eggs and
microwave-able meals, so she was only now scrounging for what she knew to make. As she sets to cook herself a meal, Cloud stares at her (cookie in mouth). “Whatcha’ doing?”

“Making something to eat.” she answered.

“Munchie! Munchie!” Cloud giggled, stuffing another cookie in her mouth ignoring the fact that she was also having a case of the “munchies”, though Mirra didn’t miss that fact for a second. “You’re eating too.” she pointed out, pointing at the box. “So why are you REALLY up anyway?”

“You first, munchie-girl!” Cloud shot back, munching as she talked.

“I was hungry.” she repeated, but abit reluctantly this time, adding, “I wonder if I’m doing right by Hikaru--- being such an inadequate lover.”

“Your not that bad. At least you can love her in that way.“ Cloud muttered as she stood up, mood shifting to her serious self. “I think I’m hurting Kero the more I stay in there with him. It‘s not fair to him… he must be frustrated by this as much as I am.”

“Why?”

No longer eating, Cloud walks over to the table and sits herself down. “I woke up and heard him talking in his sleep--- he was remembering one of the times we made love when we were… when we were… you know. Bigger people.”

“I know.” Mirra replies, cracking the eggs and dropping it’s contents in and seasoning it as it cooked. “Have to cook it longer, hate runny yolks.”

“Am I pretty?” Cloud suddenly asks, to which Mirra turns (while watching her eggs cook) “Huh?”

“I don’t feel pretty.” she admits, looking down at herself, “I feel--- ugly being this small. I don’t see how people can find this age sexy… perverts must have low expectations because it’s disgusting to me to be this young. I wish my power was back.”

“Cloud---”

Cloud sighed miserably, “I want to be the way I should be. Back in my grown up body--- and with Kero by my side, as he’s always been--- but I ---” (sighs) “---I hate being this little--- it hurts being this little.”

Mirra nods her head, remembering how Hikaru wished to be bigger so she could love Mirra better. “I can relate to that sentiment.”
After a few seconds Cloud smiles, her eyes rolling mischievously as she bounds over to a cabinet and lifts a six pack of soda bottles from a cabinet stocked full of them. “I’m going to stack these in the fridge in my/Kero’s room! Never can have too many of these for playing
games!” And with that she bounces out of the room, back in child mode again. “Are you really so unhappy being a child again?” Mirra whispers, watching Cloud’s retreating form bound out of the room. As she turns her attention back to her food she sighs, was she really doing right by Hikaru?

The door opened again.

“Another six pack, Cloud? Sugar rush must be infectious amongst the cards---” Mirra started, only to come to a dead halt vocal-wise.

It was Hikaru, and she looked troubled. “Ah--- what’s wrong, Hikaru-chan?”

“I was worried.” she whispered, walking over to Mirra, “You weren’t in bed.”

“I got hungry. Here---” (gives a drink to Hikaru) “I’ll make you something to eat.”

“Thanks.” she whispered, walking to sit down, shivering abit. “I didn’t want to find you in the closet again crying, my heart was pounding when I checked it… it hurts me to see you in pain like that, you know, it‘s not fair… why can‘t Mimic leave us alone?”

Mirra shudders abit, almost losing the egg she was plating as she did.
It was true, she had been found curled in the closet from time to time over the past few months, and it was all because of Mimic. She still couldn’t shake the visions--- dreams if it was possible to dream in a Realm of Dreams--- and it only scared her what she saw--- but it was hurting Hikaru to see Mirra in pain. She knew that now.

“I’m sorry.” she whispered, handing the plate over to Hikaru and taking another plate for herself, “I don‘t mean to do it on purpose, but it scares me sometimes to think what she‘d do to you if she could…”

“Wake me up then.”

Mirra looked at her abit surprised, “What? I don‘t understand.”

“Wake me up.” Hikaru repeats. “I don’t want you to hide yourself because you don’t want me to see you cry. Let me at least try to take away your pain, if only in a small way.”

“Even if I’m crying because of my fears for you? That‘s not fair to you.”

“Mirra-chan,” Hikaru whispered, reaching out to take her hand. “I’d be a terrible wife to you if I couldn’t comfort the one I love.”

Mirra barely sets the plate down before her mind goes numb. “Wife.”
Hikaru stands up, walking over to take Mirra’s hand. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you if I could, and if you’d have me I want to be your wife…” (her voice fails her as she kneels before Mirra, looking up into her eyes) “Marry me. One day. When you and I are ready… marry me. Please---” she stops, voice wavering as she lays her head on Mirra’s lap.

Mirra stands dumbfounded, uncertain what to say. She knew that she always wanted to marry Hikaru one day, like Tomoyo-mama & Sakura-papa were planning to get married when they were old enough., and when Mirra asked Hikaru once she even said she wanted it. Mirra however thought Hikaru was being kind and agreed just to make Mirra happy--- until now.

“Here. I have a ring for…” she stammers, lowering her hand to her hip and brushing her fingers against her soft naked thigh--- “?”--- (she was naked from the waist down) “---” (a smile creeps across her face, suddenly she bursts out laughing) “OH GOD I LEFT MY BOTTOMS IN THE ROOM!!”

Mirra smiled, “Happens to the best of us.”

“Aww--- and I---”

Two fingers gently press against her lips. “Later. Let’s eat.”

At first she tried to protest, but looking into Mirra’s eyes she knew it was futile so she relented, sitting down and eating her snack with Mirra, looking anxious to give Mirra her ring. Mirra smiled, and thought back as she ate, watching Hikaru shifting her weight abit from time to time as her shivered abit--- it was a little colder sitting on the chairs without her pajama bottoms on.

* * * * * *

November
Mirra’s Flashback

“A ring?” Mirra asked, “Uh-huh.” Tomoyo replied as she held the small box out to Mirra.
They were in her studio, Tomoyo asked for Mirra to see her. “You’re growing up so fast I wanted to make sure I gave this to you before I forgot, so that one day you and Hikaru…”

“Not until you and papa marry first!” Mirra screams out, hugging Tomoyo as she did, squeezing her tightly, “You have to marry first! I want you and Sakura-papa to give me away as my parents! You have to get married! You have to! It‘s not going to be right unless you’re my mommy for real!!”

“Alright! Alright!” Tomoyo relented, smiling as she gave in to the “younger” girl’s demands. “I’ll tie the knot first with Sakura-chan, I promise! I wouldn‘t want to disappoint you with unmarried parents on your wedding day!”

“Really?”

“Really.” Tomoyo nods, hugging Mirra back in turn. “If it means that much that we give you away on your wedding day as mate and wife then I‘m sure we can accommodate you, though what if Umi wants to give Hikaru away?”

“---uh--- then she‘ll have to marry as well?“ Mirra smiles sheepishly, blushing abit, “Don’t ask me to explain that--- I don’t know what I just said.”

“In any case---” Tomoyo motions to the box, “When your ready.”

“When I’m ready. Right.” Mirra nods her head vigorously, “But don’t forget your promise!”

“I won’t forget.” Tomoyo promised.

* * * * * *

The ring was right where she left it. The day Tomoyo gave it to her she ran up to the room excited, and hid it in her jewelry box.
Mirra retrieved her ring, and knelt on their bed as the two exchanged rings and vows.
Vows to marry one day, when the time was right and Tomoyo/Sakura were already married.
As Hikaru fell into Mirra’s arms, kissing her, Mirra felt a surge of joy and happiness beyond what she felt to date. It felt as if the entire room melted away leaving her and Hikaru floating on clouds. Her body felt so light from her excitement that she hardly felt the bed as she fell backwards, Hikaru in arms, kissing madly and passionately.
She felt so numb it was pure heaven to be so carried away.

It was only when Hikaru switched positions and presented herself to Mirra that her senses returned, and she felt her needs rise as she placed her hands on her lover’s hips and drew her close for her tongue to engulf her womanhood as her’s was enveloped in turn.

The bliss of happiness was replaced by the bliss of their lovemaking, and the world just seemed to fall away as Hikaru became her world and vice versa.

* * * * * *

December 31st (Morning)

“No fair.” Nina remarked glumly, “We didn’t even get to see all this? Nuts!”
Several hours have passed and it was now daylight. As everyone gathered in the kitchen for breakfast Mirra and Hikaru were relating their decision to become engaged to anyone who’ll listen (which was a great deal of people in the house).

“It sounded quite sweet and beautiful.” Eliza noted, smiling at the two happy young women, “I’m sure you’ll both be quite happy on your wedding day---” (winks at Nina) “---just as we’ll be on our wedding day. Right?”

“Right…” Nina nods, blushing at the sudden shift of attention by Eliza. “…uh, so, what are we doing today? It being New Year’s Eve and all that. We‘re going to party, right?”

Fuu entered the room and bowed slightly, “We have visitors this morning. A Mrs. & Mrs. Shai’zhan to see Sakura.”
At this Nina scoffs, leaning back in her chair. “Gee, wonder who THAT could be.”

“Phwee?”

As Fuu leaves the kitchen Meilin and Xai Shar enter, all smiles. Meilin was wearing casual pants and a red dragon t-shirt with cute matching red shoes, Xai Shar was wearing her usual uniform (as Keiko & Rena often did whether they were working or not). “Meilin? Who---”

“It’s their future married last name isn’t it.” Nina noted, looking straight at Meilin. “Shai’zhan is a Palominian name--- your changing your last name?”

“It’s a beautiful last name!” Meilin huffed, bowing slightly to Tomoyo as she entered, “Good morning, remember my promise?”

“I remember. We’re going to celebrate your wedding engagement today.”

“Hoe??” (Sakura)

“Hoe.” (Nina repeated, scoffingly)

Eliza shifts her weight in her chair to bring her attention to Mirra/Eliza, “That’s great! You two can celebrate your engagement today too!” Both girls blushed at the sudden attention Meilin & Xai Shar gave them as they turned to look at the two. Suddenly Meilin smiles and gives Mirra a slight smack on the back as she laughed abit. If this was meant to settle down the two’s nerves? It didn’t help one bit.

“Let’s go downstairs and set up then.” Nina suddenly announced, taking the spotlight off of the two (to their relief). As they walked out of the kitchen, Mirra seemed confused. “But we’re already downstairs.”

“We’re going down to the holochamber. We can set the celebration up down there.”

“Phwee?” Mirra whispered, in trademark Sakura fashion.

* * * * * *

The holochamber was already on when they entered.

The setting was inside of Tokyo Tower, the observation deck now set up for a party with tables of food and a karaoke machine, and there was also a huge TV set to one side with ample seating and a few smaller sets to another side with video games hooked to them. “I like to be prepared just in case.”

“She’s been planning this for weeks.” Eliza whispers, cheeks blushing as she watches Nina hustle about making sure everything was in it’s proper place.

Mirra felt someone grasp her hand, and realized it was Hikaru. She seemed a little nervous about the setting, but quickly smiled and waved off Mirra’s concerns with a wave of her free hand. Mirra nodded her head and went back to looking around. Hikaru was worried, but she
always tried to shield it when Mirra was around. And she accused her of hiding things. Mirra shook her head briefly as she pushed those thoughts away for the time being. When she was ready she would say what was troubling her, but for now she just wanted to spend the day
with Hikaru and enjoy herself. That’s it.

“The food’s real by the way, I just used the replicator to set the buffet. Help yourselves and I’ll get some of the events started so people can relax. Remember it’s a party today so everyone have fun!”

As the groups began to break apart to try some of the food or one of the play areas, Hikaru pulled Mirra to one of the tables for a bite to eat. Feeling abit famished herself she followed, mouth watering abit as she did.

* * * * * *

Eventually somebody asked the obvious question.
“So, whose tying the knot first?”

“Phwee?”

“Is there an echo in here? I keep hearing that same noise over and over again…“ Nina remarks, eventually asking the question on everyone’s mind as they sat around the table eating lunch. The group consisted of the three marrying couples in question (Sakura/Tomoyo,
Nina/Eliza and Meilin/Xai Shar).

Meilin was decked out on a couch lying contently in the taller Palominians’ gentle grip using her breasts as pillows, the two plucking crackers & cheese from a tray on the table near to them.

Sakura and Tomoyo sat side by side, and so did Eliza/Nina. As Nina finished asking the question, all eyes roamed about as everyone looked at each other. Eliza was first to speak. “Nina wanted our wedding to be a Christmas thing so we’re having ours on Christmas Eve.”

“We’re marrying on May 15th (Xai’s birthday).”

“---hoe---” Sakura face faulted, looking nervous as everyone turned to look for her answer. Tomoyo quickly “steps” in and covers her, “We haven’t decided yet.”

“Is it going to be this year?” Xai asked, only to receive a warming smile (but not answer) from Tomoyo. “We’ll let you know when we decided.”

“Whatever.” Nina relented, dropping the subject for the time being. “How many more cards does Sakura need to seal anyway?”

Sakura suddenly blanked out, her face going as expressionless as it could possibly get.

“What?! You mean you don’t even know??”

“I wasn’t keeping count!” Sakura cried out, defending herself.

“Sigh---” (Nina began counting cards on her fingers) “Let’s see--- Jump, Fly, Illusion, Create---”

“Don’t forget to minus six cards for those who became human.” Tomoyo added, to which Nina scowled, “I know that! I know--- made me lose count. 1-2-3-4---”

Silence.

“Anytime today, Einstein.” Keiko called out from another nearby table, listening in the whole time. “SHUT IT!” Nina screeches, counting again (lost her count again). Finally, which much fanfare she came up with the number--- “You captured 13 regular Clow Cards (unlucky).”

“Is that it? Not counting fan cards--- I---” (Sakura bows her head) “---it’s 13 cards.”

Keiko, overhearing the conversation from her seat, huffs her breath. “13 cards out of a possible 46? That’s only a bit over 25%!”

“I’M SORRY!!” Sakura cries, her shoulders slumping as Tomoyo pulls her over to console her.

“Can you do better?” Nina asks, turning around to look at Keiko. “You haven’t caught card one yet dontcha know!”

“Neither have you so don’t go on about my catching skills! Why I---”

Meanwhile, at one of the game stations, Mirra slumps her head. “They’re fighting again over there!”

“Ignore them. They’re a bunch of children anyway.” Kero remarks, “They simply have no sense of decorum or--- YA-TAH!!” (Kero flies up in the air and whoops it up over Cloud’s head as she slumps her shoulders now, face scrunched up) “Keep it up, “Kero-chan”--- keep it up!!
(You‘re one to talk about acting like a kid!)”

“You OK?” Hikaru asks, tapping Mirra on the shoulder to draw her attention. “I just don’t like it when they fight. I wish they got along better.”

“I’m sure they’re getting along just fine, it’s just that---” Hikaru stops, sparing the others a quick glance before looking back at Mirra, “They just have a funny way of showing it, that’s all.”

“Could’va fooled me.” Kero responded, settling back down to take his controller.

Suddenly Mirra became very contemplative as she sat there, thinking--- “I hope Fight and Power are in good spirits today---”, a small flicker of concern crosses Hikaru’s face, but she quickly suppresses it, choosing instead to shift herself so she could lean on Mirra as they
played. ‘I hope they’re in good spirits as well.’

* * * * * *

Fight’s eyes slowly flickered open, her head lolling to one side as she stared at the clock.
She’d slept in. A slight frown came across her face as she realized that he let her sleep in again so he could make her breakfast. He was always doing that. Turning off the alarm clock and letting her sleep in when she had a day off. Then again he was a far better cook than
she was so she enjoyed it when he cooked, and became a nervous wreck when she took to the kitchen.

Day off. She never thought being “human” had so much responsibilities. As a card she would just shift back to her card form and sleep for days (or weeks), but as a human she needed a job (she taught physical education at Mirra’s school), and she needed to be constantly
active--- but, as she fondly remembered, her beloved gave her plenty of activities that was “fun” including things that involved bed and/or--- as she laid there silently, her fingers gently traced a line around her breasts as she thought about what they did during the
night, and sometimes during the day as well.

Her body seemed to come to life in strange and wonderful ways with each and every touch and caress from his hands and body, and she cherished every moment together. With the strength to shatter bone and metal her body was a weapon, but that weapon just seemed to melt like butter in his grip. She never would have thought that someone so unassuming could have so much power over her--- but she wanted him to be there, and be loved by him. She needed it as much as mistress needed love from her special someone, but why didn’t mistress
understand? “Is this how it is, mistress?” she whispered, her fingers lazily tracing circles along her nipples, “Is every night with your beloved as beautiful? Does she make you as happy as I am with him? Why can‘t you understand?”

As Fight rolls over to her side, she frowned at the thought of mistress trying to steal her power, and her rash act. She felt guilty about hitting mistress for days now, but she didn’t know what else to do--- mistress didn’t understand that if it was a better world she would have gladly given her powers up.

Each and every night she fears a little. When in the heat of lovemaking that she’d lose control, she’d harm him unintentionally--- she’d never do it on purpose but--- and then there was her need for revenge. If mistress only thought about it, and the situation was reversed with her love being the one violated, she would not hesitate to do the same and strike back at her tormentors.

“We’re the same.” she whispered to herself, “The same.”

She did not know if she said that because it was true, or just comforting words, but she said them all the same. “Did you say something?” Fight’s frown vanished quickly, warming back into a smile as she rolled back to her lying position and beheld his worried face.
“Nothing. I was just wondering when breakfast was going to be served.”

He set her place in bed, and patiently waited for her to settle in before serving himself. She smiled, and ate her breakfast with enthusiasm (his food tasted the best to her because it was made with love).

Briefly her image in the mirror showed and she thought of something she hadn’t before. Her hairstyle. When she was in Clow Costume, and in her “element” of violence, she wore her hair in such a constricting way--- but now her hair was loose and flowed down her back in long
shimmering waves.

‘Maybe I’m more relaxed like this---‘ she thought to herself, ‘---maybe I’m happier being a lover and a gentle woman than---‘, her mind focusing back on her meal as she realized he was watching her with some concern. She sighed as she tapped her fork for a second before devouring another large bite, knowing what was coming next.
“I’ll never leave you. There’s no need to constantly lavish me.”

“I love doing things for you. It‘s not excessive to---”

“Please---” Fight sighed again, looking up at him, “I’m not rejecting you. I just don’t want you to feel as if everyday must be a struggle to keep my heart--- when you’ve earned it the first moment we met.”

“I felt like such a loser--- couldn’t save you.” he whispered, lowering his head. Her strong fingers slide beneath his chin, and raise his face up to meet her gaze. “You were there when I felt like dying, and protected me from something worst than those men--- myself. You’re the strongest man I ever met.”

“I’m not strong.”

“You came to my rescue even when you knew you were going to lose, and what they did to you---” Fight chokes back a bad memory, focusing only on him, “---nobody should have had to endure that, but you did--- for me.” Without another word she slides closer and holds him tight. “I won’t leave you. Ever.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

For a second she shuddered, feeling as if it might have been a promise she might not be able to keep--- ‘No.’ she thought to herself, ‘I won’t leave his side--- I’d rather die than be sealed again---’ And with that she leaned forward and kissed him, long and slowly, thinking idly if it was the same when mistress kissed her beloved on the lips. If two people, regardless of gender, could kiss with the same beautiful passion regardless of whether they were man and woman, or two women like mistress and--- Tomoyo? That was her name, she finally remembered it having heard it only one or twice. Tomoyo.

With that they went back to eating, her mind idly wondering what the day would bring.

* * * * * *

“Yah!!” she cheered, digging into her food with relish. “Thank you, mama!”

The tall blonde woman smiled, “I’ve never been called mama before---” Quake admitted, her cheeks glowing as she smiled at the word. “I like it.”

“Mama!” Power repeated, smiling even wider as Quake took her seat at the table. It was a serene moment, even peaceful. They were a happy family, even if their occupation wasn’t normally something people would associate with happy families--- mainly the occupation of
assassins. “Papa? Are you---”

“I’m feeling better.” Technocrat assured her, motioning towards his arm as he ate. “It’s healing up nicely, don’t worry about it!”

“I’m going to a friend’s house for New Year’s! Can I---?”

“Sure.” Quake agreed, nodding her head, “There’s no work this week so you can stay over tonight. Call us if you need anything, OK?”

“OK!” Power cheerfully replied, going back to eating. From the front door of their huge apartment there was a knocking sound. “I’ll get it.” Technocrat replied, standing up and heading through from the kitchen area into the living room where the knocking was coming from. As he opened the door he felt a slight chill go through his body. “Oh, it’s you.” he mildly remarked, looking over the man standing outside his door. “If this is work then---”

“No, no, not at all…” (silence)
Technocrat waves him in with a “Come on, come on, in you go.” to which BloodStorm walked in calmly, looking about a bit nervously, “Are you sure I can enter?”

Technocrat - “I suppose so since I know you won‘t take no for an answer.”

As Technocrat stood aside to let the other assassin enter, he asked the obvious. “Work?”

BloodStorm, a tall figure dressed in black (with short black hair and coal black eyes to match his clothing) stood for a second before responding, “No. At least---”

“What now.” he asked, motioning for BloodStorm to sit down as he maintained his position standing, watching over him. “This isn’t about…”

“No, no. People like that never cross over from the waking world into here. They dream in nightmares even if they believe what they’re seeing is pleasant dreams. It’s about the buzz on the rumor mill over the past several days.”

“Mimic.” Technocrat said with a slight irritation, “What about her…?”

“It might yield some big work if certain somebodies drafted a contract for her… removal. It seems to me that it would be a right nice solid work with a nice solid payout. Can’t beat that.”

“Can beat that.” Technocrat shot back flatly, “It’s suicide to take on that assignment, what with Mimic being a certified whacko and all. Then again you never were the type to concern himself with the minor details--- like self preservation for instance.”

“Can’t help it.” BloodStorm remarked calmly, shrugging as he did. “It’s my narcissistic side acting up. I’m too vain and egotistical to know better.”

Silence reigns for a few seconds until Power, backpack on, passes by “Bye dad--- daddy?”

“It’s nothing.“ he assures her, kneeling down to look her in the eyes, “Just an old friend. Go on now, your friends are waiting---“ (smiles) “Go on. Bye sweety.” she moves quickly, kissing him on the cheek and dashing out the door. She stops briefly though, one last time, to regard BloodStorm before hurrying on her way.

As she closes the door behind her, BloodStorm smiles, his thin lips pulling upwards in a way that made Technocrat shiver inwardly. “Speaking of narcissistic tendencies, isn’t it abit vain to have a Clow Card for a daughter?”

“None of your business.” Technocrat hisses, locking gazes with BloodStorm as he stood up again, “I’ll do as I please.”
If this was meant to surprise BloodStorm, he showed no reaction to it. “Of course. As you have always done before, so what’s the surprise in that?” BloodStorm remarks as he stands up, brushing himself off and saying his farewells, “Not much different than me I suppose. Well, I had to ask anyway---” (bows slightly) “See ya’ around.”

As the door closes, Technocrat sighs, feeling his partner‘s arms wrap around him.

“Not if I can help it.”

* * * * * *

The morning turned to afternoon, and the day rolled on.

As the celebration rolled on Hikaru felt a slight chill run down her spine, but dismissed it.
She felt as if something was going to happen--- but it wasn’t time yet.
Not for that yet. Briefly she remembers part of it--- her dreams.

In Tokyo Tower, at night.

She feels Mimic yank her skirt up, forcing her down on all fours. Mimic was screaming horribly, her rage beyond anything she’s experienced. Mimic was enraged about something, and she knew she was blaming Mirra for her pain. Then, on all fours she feels Mimic kick Hikaru’s legs apart and mounted her…

“Is something wrong?”

Mirra was standing in front of her, with her usual worried expression on her face. Hikaru silently chided herself for letting Mirra see her pained expression. She quickly smiled and led Mirra to the table for a snack, “I’m OK. Really.”

“I dreamed the same dream you did. I know why you did what you did--- why you---” Mirra whispers, to which Hikaru laughed silently. “Did you now? Then we must be bonding closer than I thought…”

“If Mimic rapes you, I’ll kill her.”

Hikaru falls into silence, stopping dead in her tracks mouth ajar.

“If Mimic rapes you, I’ll kill her.” she repeated, eyes narrowed and tear filled. Without another word Hikaru draws Mirra close and holds her tight, “Oh, Mirra-chan.”
The two stand silently embraced, Mirra’s tears falling on the other girl’s shoulders as she cried.

To Be Continued