Chapter VI: Blooming of a Dream

Henge looked up as he heard an insistent pounding on his door. Getting up from his grand piano he slipped on his button down shirt and made his way through the sheets of music to the door.

“Yes, Yes, I’m coming,” he called and quickened his pace as the pounding became more intense. Unlatching the lock and turning the knob he began to open the door, but was pushed aside as Hideo burst in. “Hideo, well this is certainly a surprise,” he said, confused at his friend’s anxious behavior.

“Henge-chan!” Hideo said gleefully.

“What’s happened to you?” Henge asked cautiously. “You look like the world has just reached perfection.”

“Oh it has…at least it has for me.” Hideo smiled happily and hugged himself.

“Well what happened?” Henge asked, getting curious.

“I’m getting married!” Hideo burst out like a child. “Married to the most wonderful person in the world.” Henge raised a questionable eyebrow.

“When did you find this out?” he asked slightly confused.

“I’ve known her for sometime, but it never seemed like a possibility for us to be joined. I knew I loved her, but she was so distant so much like a shadow. Real one moment then a memory in the next, but now I know her for real.” Henge was becoming very interested at this.

“So when did you meet her for real?” Henge asked.

“Just today at the palace, but I feel like I’ve known her for eternity,” Hideo replied as he slumped down on the couch. “I don’t know I was so compelled I just proposed and she accepted. She’s all I’ve ever wished for.”

“I see…” Henge said thoughtfully.

“What’s wrong He-chan?” Hideo sat up and looked at his friend.

“Oh nothing…you’re marrying Sailor Jupiter aren’t you?” Hideo bolted up from the couch. “Makoto-san, right?”

“How did you know? She made me swear not to tell, not that I would’ve,” Hideo gasped.

“I’ve known for quite some time, Hideo-chan. The visits, I always knew it was Makoto-san. I could not tell you.” Henge shook his head and smiled. Hideo sat back down slowly.

“I see…” Hideo was astonished. He had come in contact with Makoto Kino and Henge together on several occasion, but it never seemed like they knew more than a little about each other.

“It didn’t really mean much to me. I didn’t even think about it when I was with her. Like when you’d tell me about Jupiter’s visits I never really connected them to Makoto-san until after,” Henge explained. “She didn’t tell me though, I figured it out on my own. I guess since I got so close so fast it was she couldn’t figure out how to be my friend while keeping something so important from me. I guess it was inevitable.” Hideo accepted that and returned to his gleeful mood. “You and her are actually marrying? Did things grow that much from late night visits?”

“Oh, I never would’ve thought this to be possible, but, yes, we could never see it, but something grew,” Hideo laughed. “I finally found someone, He-chan, and I never thought I could feel so happy.” His smile spread from ear to ear and lit up his entire face.

“I had my feelings about this secret relationship, I’m truly happy for you Hideo-chan, both of you. I know Makoto was in desperate need of a companion and she truly does love you.” Henge put an arm around Hideo’s neck hugged him tight.

“I want you as my best man, He-chan,” Hideo said softly.

“It would be an honor.” Henge smiled. They both turned their heads as they heard a knock on the door. “I think I can guess who that is.” Henge grinned and answered the door. Hideo quickly followed him. “Ah, Makoto-san, how did I guess.” Henge smiled and moved aside so that the tall woman could enter his flat.

“Isamu-kun.” Makoto was smiling as broadly as Hideo. She hugged her tall friend tightly obviously as overjoyed as Hideo. Henge hugged her back happy for both of his closest friends.

“I’ve heard you’re getting married, Makoto-san?” Henge said playfully.

“Who told you?” she asked surprised, but hardly disappointed.

“Why from the groom himself,” Henge laughed as they let go of one another. Hideo was standing quietly off to the side watching with a smile on his face. Makoto looked around and her eyes fell on her husband to be.

“Hideo-kun” They went into each other’s arms and Henge smiled in satisfaction.

“Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll get us something to drink,” Henge said to them.

“Do you want any help?” the couple asked simultaneously and looked towards their mutual friend. Henge stopped and glared softly at them.

“No thank you, now make yourselves comfortable,” he commanded, smiling to reassure them of his capability and they took the offered time alone to sit on the couch and talk. At first they only managed staring and clasping hands for a time. In the kitchen Henge sighed at the silence, they needed to get over their awe of one another. Finally they settled into the corner of the couch, Makoto resting in the crook of Hideo’s arm.

“Mako-chan… Are the other Senshi married?” Hideo asked. “I know that Sailor Venus must be because she talked of a husband slightly, but what about the others?”

“The only Senshi not married is Sailor Pluto. Her task does not allow for it, but all the others are married even Uranus and Neptune.” Makoto smiled at this thought.

“Those are the two that came to bring me to the palace I take it?” Hideo said. “I could’ve sworn that Haruka-san was a man.”

“Those two cannot live without one another. Their job allows them to be together and neither has loved another person of the same or opposite sex. Around a thousand years ago they wanted to be united and Serenity-sama allowed them to have a secret wedding. Haruka poses as a man mainly because she likes to compete with men on equal terms and then break it to them when they lose that she’s woman,” Makoto explained with a grin.

“I see…” Hideo’s eyes shifted slightly nervous. Makoto poked him in the side and laughed.

“Don’t worry, she actually a good friend if you don’t feel threatened by her rough exterior. I found that out the hard way.” Makoto remembered when she had fought with Uranus when her heart crystal had been stolen.

“They were married a thousand years ago?” Makoto nodded her head. “You all have lived a very long time?” Again Makoto nodded.

“Why? What is wrong?” she asked, slightly worried.

“Oh nothing…” Hideo tried to smile.

“Come on tell me, perhaps I can help,” Makoto urged. Henge came out and set a tray of drinks on the table.

“You don’t mind me do you?” he asked before sitting down. Hideo and Makoto shook their heads and then returned to the conversation at hand.

“I was just wondering how long ago the other Senshi were married?” Hideo avoided slightly.

“Well the first was married over a thousand years ago. Though none of them married until well into their hundreds.” Makoto figured she would get the problem out soon. Henge was curious as well as to what this was about and listened closely.

“Are their husbands still alive?” Hideo asked shyly. Makoto suddenly knew what he was getting at.

“Yes, they are actually, though Mars’ first husband passed on from an illness quite some time ago, but she remarried,” Makoto replied.

“How?” Hideo asked and Henge realized the nature of the question.

“How are they still alive? After so long you mean?” Makoto smiled at this and settled herself down easing her worries. Henge and Hideo stared at her with apprehension. It was a question they both wanted answered. “Well, Mercury has done several studies on it and has concluded as she puts it: ‘The magically enhanced energy that extends and could conceivably immortalize the chemical make up of a Senshi has a tendency to effect those mortals in close and constant contact with the being of magical potential and thus effects the longevity of mortal cells so as to extend it up to one thousand fold.’” Makoto smiled as she was met with two dumfound confused looks. She laughed at there confusion. “That is how Mercury always speaks. When you meet her you’ll fully understand.”

“But what does that mean?” Hideo asked exasperated.

“In other words it rubs off?” Makoto smiled and shrugged at the simplicity of her statement.

“Huh?” they asked.

“Basically the energy that make us immortal rubs off onto those we have a lot of contact with. Surprisingly though only on matured cells. Children of Senshi do not live forever unless they stay with their mother until after adulthood. This gives them the chance to live normal lives,” Makoto explained.

“I get it,” Hideo said.

“But when away from their Senshi for too long the aging process continues again. It is believed this is one way our Magic makes living forever bearable. It does not make mortals immune to anything like we are, but it does let them live approximately one thousand lifetimes. Otherwise they would’ve grown old and died before we realized it. If you think that the average human lives to approximately eighty, well that is almost nothing compared to how long we have been alive. Even one hundred years isn’t very long for a Senshi.” Makoto shook her head sadly.

“Don’t you like living for ever?” Henge asked.

“I do, I have no problem with it except that I often miss things that I shouldn’t. Like the lives of friends and the growing up of children.” Makoto sighed. “The only time I really see that things are changing is when I’m working. I see governments and nations change, but not life.”

“Well if you didn’t know it before I have a feeling you’ll know what it means to live, Makoto-san,” Henge replied sagely. “In fact I don’t think you’ll notice how long your life is after a while.” Hideo and Makoto looked at him oddly. “I just think you’ll have quite bit to occupy you time.” A small grin spread over Henge’s face and Hideo and Makoto exchanged slightly embarrassed glances.

“What are you thinking, Isamu-kun?” Makoto eyed him warily. Henge merely shrugged and widened his smile.

Makoto and Hideo’s wedding took place just one week following their confessions of love. All the Senshi were present and Hideo’s band was as well. Taken completely aback by the sudden engagement they still accepted it happy for their friend and leader. Though Yoshikazu and Kanta were little disappointed to find out that the General was marrying Hideo, but they brushed off their crushes and enjoyed the ceremony. The Senshi couldn’t express their own happiness at seeing their ancient friend finally getting married. Not to mention they all found Hideo to be the perfect match for Makoto.

The actual wedding was something that Makoto would remember for the rest of her days. She never experienced anything like it. Rei was taking care of the ceremonies and was stunning in her priestess robes and Makoto wouldn’t have had another oversee this day. Before the wedding while she prepared, Makoto met Hideo’s parents or at least one of them. Hideo’s father had been killed in the previous world war, but his mother attended to present her son. Hideo’s mother was a kind and a gentle woman, but with a formidable presence and Makoto could see where Hideo got many of his traits. She seemed to take well to Makoto eager to help and full of excitement for her son.

“You are so gorgeous in this kimono, Makoto-san,” Hideo’s mother said as she adjusted a few things on Makoto’s kimono. The kimono Makoto had chosen to wear was a replica of one her mother had had when Makoto was a child. It was a cream color with a green sash about her middle. On the back was an elaborate rose pattern and the front was graced with the branches of a magnificent cherry tree.

“Thank you, Kimura-san,” Makoto replied and blushed.

“Oh please, call me Ryoko. Kimura-san sounds so old,” the old woman laughed. Makoto smiled and nodded. Ryoko watched her future daughter-in-law run her hands through her hair and give an exasperated sigh. “What’s the matter, dear? Nervous?” Ryoko smiled her old feature wrinkling pleasantly.

“I’ve never been so nervous in my life. I’ve been faced with death and been less nervous,” Makoto laughed.

“Just remember you’re getting married not executed, Makoto-san,” Ryoko laughed. “Anyway I’d be worried if you weren’t at least a little bit nervous.”

“Thank you.” Makoto smiled. At that moment Minako and Ami entered the room in a rush.

“Come on, Mako-chan! It’s starting,” Minako said overly happy.

“Don’t worry you’ve still got some time,” Ami corrected with a pleasant smile. The two friends looked Makoto over and smiled in satisfaction.

“Is Hideo-chan ready?” Ryoko asked.

“Yes, Ma’am,” Ami replied. “Isamu-san is just reassuring him that he’s headed for the alter and not the guillotine,” Ami added with a laugh.

“See you’re not the only one, Makoto-san.” Ryoko gave a nod towards Makoto. Makoto laughed lightly. “Makoto-san who is presenting you? Is your family not here?” Ryoko added on a more serious note.

“My parents died when I was very young. The King has offered to present me, Ryoko-san,” Makoto replied with a sad smile. “But I know this would’ve made them very happy.” Ryoko put a gentle hand on Makoto’s elbow and returned the sad smile.

“Enjoy this day, Makoto-san, with all your heart,” she said finally.

“I will,” Makoto replied lowly.

Makoto met Henge while on her way to the throne room and they exchanged happy greetings. Henge took her into his arms and hugged her close feeling wetness come to his eyes. Although they had only known each other for no more than six months, in that time they had become as close as if they’d been life long companions. Henge was happier for Makoto than he could express so he settled to hold her as tightly as he could to show all his feelings.

“What would I have done without you?” Makoto asked in a small voice. “It was you who taught me to live, Isamu-kun.”

“I am just honored that I can be your friend, Makoto-san,” Henge replied and smiled for her.

“I guess I had begun to believe that a day like this would never exist for me. It just wasn’t meant for me.”

“Living forever doesn’t mean you have to live it alone. This day was bound to come. There are many people who you could be sharing this day with and be happy, but I don’t think anyone else in the world could love you as much as Hideo-chan does. The time you spent searching ensured that you found exactly the right person,” Henge replied.

“You really believe in that stuff? A single soul mate? And Eternally Beloved?” Makoto asked oddly.

“Absolutely, you and Hideo have convinced me of that,” Henge replied seriously.

Neo-Queen Serenity watched with the other Senshi except Pluto, who wasn’t able to leave her duties, and Rei, who was heading the wedding proceedings, as the last of her Senshi was finally married. Serenity found herself running every encounter and moment she’d known Makoto over in her head. She replayed every battle, both victory and loss that Sailor Jupiter had been by her side for and finally everything led up to this day, the one she had been anticipating should have happened a thousand years ago. Serenity felt pride, happiness, and relief like a Queen, a sister, and a mother. The two stood at the altar, glowing with a love that Serenity could only compare to her own for Endymion. Although her heart was joyous Serenity felt an uncertainty; the two were so perfect together, almost too perfect… A love like hers and Endymion, definitely a strong bond, but Serenity feared that like her and Endymion, fate might test that bond. She only hoped that if so, Makoto and Hideo would be strong enough to hold onto one another…