Title: A reason to come together
Author: Ree
Theme: Family - Reunion
Genre: General
Version: Anime/Manga post series
Rating: G

Most of these characters belong to Takeuchi Naoko. The ones that don't are my creations.

A reason to come together

Ikuko looked about the room. All of her relatives were there, even ones she hadn't seen in years. It was like a family reunion. Everyone had come together to pay their last respects to Arisu Matasori, her grandmother. More made it here for the funeral than had come for Usagi's wedding. The younger members of the family were racing about underneath the parent's feet until Ikuko's mother, Etsuko Matasori, sent all of them outside.

Usagi watched her mom count the number of children running out the door. 'Mom won't let all those children be out there without some sort of supervision. And she needs to stay in here. Grandmother Etsuko is going to need her.' She noticed Grandmother Etsuko shaking slightly. Usagi sent Mamoru a questioning look. 'He'll say yes. I'll be okay if I don't stay, and Mom has Dad.' Mamoru returned her look. "Lets go outside and watch the younger ones, okay?" Usagi smiled as Mamoru nodded yes.

Ikuko tightened her grip on Kenji's hand before letting it go. She had only taken three steps towards the door before both Usagi and Shingo stopped her.

Shingo's and Usagi's eyes meet, both in complete accord. Shingo stepped back and let Usagi do the talking. "Mom, we'll watch them. You stay here and see everyone." She glanced at Grandmother Etsuko before continuing in a softer tone. "And I think Grandmother needs you here."

Ikuko looked over at her mother. 'She is trying so hard to be strong. After Dad passed away last year, Grandmother Arisu was her pillar of strength. And Mom was hers, too.' The past year had been hard. Ikuko heart swelled with gratitude for her children. They had spent a lot of their time with their Grandmother Etsuko and Great Grandmother Arisu. When they couldn't be around, then either she or Kenji were. Letting her gratitude show, she accepted their offer to watch the children.

As Ikuko watch them go out the door, she felt her mother beside her.

"She was so glad to she was able to see Usagi-chan married. I feel bad that they cut their honeymoon short."

Ikuko smiled reassuringly. "Usagi-chan and Mamoru-kun both assured me that a week was long enough. And if we hadn't told them, I don't think Usagi-chan would have forgiven us."

Etsuko watched as her grandchildren organized a game of hide-and-seek. Her heart warmed as Usagi's new husband willingly joined in. "Mom wanted to see her great great grandchildren."

Kenji walked up and placed a comforting hand on Ikuko's shoulder. "Usagi-chan will make sure she will, during Obon." Ikuko place her hand on top of his. Kenji smiled gently down at his wife and his mother-in-law. "They have given us some time. Let's visit the rest of the family."

Turning back to her guests, Etsuko straightened her shoulders. "Today is a day to catch up with everyone. Tomorrow we are laying Mom to rest.' It didn't matter if they were only related by marriage, Mother Matasori was still her Mom.

Hiding their tears until later, Kenji, Ikuko, and Etsuko headed back into the crowd to hear tales of olden days and ones of yesterday's events.