More than meets the eye (6/1/2008)
Author's notesJust one thing to say………… it's not the last chapter yet.
Chapter 36: ITADAKIMASU!Kasumi went into the house and went straight into her bedroom on the 1st floor. She was feeling furious over her father's rather predictable behaviour, especially hearing that the fathers had actually planned to marry off Ranma and Akane that very day. She had been hoping, praying that the changes she had made at her home would change their fathers' attitude but they steadfastly refused to change for the better. It hurt her that Tendo Soun was still a broken man despite all of her efforts, both before and after her Autobot adventures.
She knelt in front of her bed and clasped her small hands in prayer.
"Dear Lord, are you there? It's me, Kasumi."
She paused for a while, as though expecting an answer from above. It didn't come but in her heart of hearts, she knew He was listening.
"I thank you for this privilege of prayer. Indeed, I have so much to thank you for, nearly everything of my heart's desire, You have granted to me. No words can express the thankfulness in my heart. You gave me everything, someone to call my best friend, a person to love and loves back, reminded me of Your love for me, blessed all those around me, especially my sister Akane and her fiancé Saotome Ranma. You brought my friends back in their darkest hour, and granted me the strength to save not only my friends but humanity itself. Your grace knows no bounds and I am joyful for the miracles you have bestowed upon me."
She sighed. "Forgive me Lord, for complaining to you again after all you've done for me. For my father and Uncle Genma still have not changed for the better. Lord I love my father and I wish to love him more. Lord I pray that you grant him wisdom so that he can break the bondages of grief that has chained him ever since the death of your servant and my mother, Tendo Kimiko. O Heavenly Father, please, grant me patience and wisdom to continue to lead him into Your light and out of the darkness of his current stupidity."
"Father I pray all of this for Uncle Saotome Genma. Lord, you know the words I would describe Uncle Saotome and I will not befoul the air by saying it out loud to you Lord. I do not know how the man has been brought up but from this day on, Father I pray that I will be able to forgive him and lead him to be a better father to his son, that he stops his stupid obsession and selfishness to get Ranma and Akane married merely so that he can retire while they work. Lord may Uncle Saotome realize one day that the love of a son is more precious than the weight of money, the pride of martial arts or even the honour of family ties. Lord I pray that I will also be patient for him, that no matter what, I will not always judge him and NEVER give up on my father Tendo Soun and Saotome Genma, just as You never gave up on me and saved me from my darkest hour."
"Lord I thank you and praise you for everything you have done. May tonight be a night of celebration of your grace and mercy. Lord bless the recipients of the meal that is about to be consumed, that it will be a blessing to all who eat it and strengthen the bonds of fellowship of love and friendship with all of us. Bless Optiumus Prime, Elita, Jazz, Arcee, Hound, Trailbreaker, Kup, Ranma, Akane, Nabiki, Auntie Nodoka, Tendo Soun, Saotome Genma, Elder Cologne, Elder Lux Shold Der, Shampoo, Mousse, the ten Amazons whose names escape me who will be guarding the house, Ukyo, Ryoga, Ratchet, Prowl………."
Her hands clenched tighter as she remembered the final recipient of her prayer, "…….. Bumblebee. Thank you Lord, for giving me someone to love, and who loves me back, with all our hearts and minds."
"In Jesus most precious name I pray…."
"Amen/Amen"
She looked up from the bed and looked out of the window. Part of Bumblebee's yellow head was visible at the edge of the window. She stood up and looked out of the window to see the yellow Autobot was leaning back against the wall, his face looking towards the sea while his hands were behind his back.
"Bumblebee, you know you shouldn't eavesdrop on people. Especially when they are praying," she chided him, though she did so with a smiling face.
"I know. But I believe you were doing the same a few moments ago to me."
Her smile fell. "You knew I was there? I'm sorry Bumblebee, I didn't mean to intrude, but I just couldn't help being interested in your conversation."
His head turned to look at Kasumi at the window. "Then I am guilty for the same reason. Enough apologies, let's just make it a point not to do so anymore and have more heart to heart talks in future. That way we can get questions or the Matrix forbid, doubts of each other, out of our systems."
"That would be reasonable. I promise to do so Bumblebee," Kasumi said softly.
"As do I Kasumi."
Both of them then looked away, suddenly finding the ground very interesting to look at. Kasumi perched herself on the windowsill and sat there.
"So, you want to start now?" she asked.
"It's a good time as any. Is there anything you want to know about me? I mean, I'm not going to go into a Ryoga-like depression if you ask me about my old girlfriend Ariel. Like I told you, I've had five thousand years to let go of her memory and forgive Prowl."
She nodded and said, "I know Bumblebee, I was just glad to hear you say it to Kup in person. I'm more concerned about you being a part of my family. You've seen how my dad is like, are you really willing to be a part of my crazy family?"
"By my observation, the only ones I have to worry about is Tatewakie Kodachi, Tendo Soun and Saotome Genma. The rest of your erstwhile enemies are insignificant and the three cases above, despite how insane they are right now, are curable cases. And Kasumi, I wish to court you, not them. You are the only thing that matters to me."
Kasumi blushed intensely. "If I may ask, do Autobots actually marry? Were you and Ariel husband and wife? Did you two ever, uhmmmmm…." Kasumi trailed off.
She wasn't the only one blushing, Bumblebee's face had flushed dark silver. "I would prefer not to discuss the mechanics of Cybertronian mating. To answer your question, yes, Autobots do marry, although we don't have a word for husband and wife. Prime and Elita, Ironhide and Chromia are probably the only real Cybertronian married couples left in the galaxy."
"As for me and Ariel, to be honest, we were engaged but never married. The day after I proposed to be her mate for life, Megatron decided start the war by massacring every Cybertronian femme and child in the city where we both lived. We tried to escape but eventually, Barricade and Prowl caught us."
Bumblebee sighed. "The rest, as you say, is history. We never consummated our love, thanks to Megatron ripping her spark out for everyone to see that he was Lord of the new Cybertronian order. She was my first love, and we were about to be married after dancing around each other for three years. I've missed her every day since then…."
Her heart cried out to Bumblebee as he talked about Ariel. He then turned to face Kasumi and took a her small hands in his right hand. His left hand went into a pocket in his left hip.
"Kasumi, Ariel will forever be part of my life. You are also a part of my life now. I ask….. that you take Ariel as a part of your life too," he whispered as out of his pocket, he took out an actual photograph. Kasumi gasped as Bumblebee placed the photograph in her hands, which was the size of a large dinner plate for her. For something that had to be at least five thousand years old, it was in surprisingly good condition and for some reason, rendered in black and white. In the picture, she saw two Cyberronians, one of which was Bumblebee who looked younger as well as a female Cybertronian, holding each other as they posed in front of a camera.
Her jaw dropped. The female Cybertronian face, unmistakably resembled hers despite her body being a Cybertronian that more or less resembled Arcee, only much more slender and petite as opposed to Arcee's tough bodybuilder like physique.
She looked at Bumblebee, who nodded his head. "You have no idea how shocked I was when I first met you. You were different from Ariel yet the same. My faith in Primus was restored that day when He showed me unconditional love still existed in this universe in the form of you Tendo Kasumi. The more you poured out your heart and soul to me, the more I grew to love you, to the point I was willing to reveal myself to you and introduce you to the Autobots."
He closed Kasumi's hand around the photograph. "I give you the last memento I have of Ariel, Kasumi. If you want me to forget about Ariel and move on with my life with only you…. I can do that as well. Destroy the picture, if that is your wish."
Kasumi shook her head. "Bumblebee, the past defines us and makes us what we are. Just because it doesn't govern us doesn't mean we should forget it. I……. would be honoured to keep your memory of Ariel with me….. as part of my life as well….." she stuttered, tears filling her eyes as she clutched the photo to her being. Bumblebee gently placed his hands around Kasumi,lifted her off the windowsill and gently hugged her to his chest, small drops of tears also dripping from his eyes. He then prepared to douse himself with cold water but Kasumi stopped him.
"Please Bumblebee, I love you as you are. You don't have to be flesh and blood all the time to love me. Let's just…. stay this way for a while…." she whispered.
And so they stayed in that position for a while, Kasumi cradled against Bumblebee while he sat leaning against the house wall.
A little further away, shielded by Hound's camouflage abilities, Optimus Prime, Prowl, Trailbreaker and Ratchet forced Tendo Soun and Saotome Genma to watch their tender loving moment. The Autobot scout had returned from his scouting trip and had given his services. Optimus Prime then turned his grim eyes on Tendo Soun.
"Against all odds, their love has endured. Your daughter suffered greatly for Bumblebee, and he for her. I plead with you Mr. Tendo, to look beyond our physical shells and into our hearts so that you will discover that in the end, we are the same in matters of heart and soul. She still cares deeply for you Mr. Tendo. Nothing would please her more, than to hear you approve of her relationship. For my part, Bumblebee is my best warrior and comrade, a sort of surrogate son. I vouch for his character and I swear if he ever makes Kasumi unhappy, I will be more than willing to render him one socket at a time," Optimus said, waving his power axe for emphasis.
Tendo Soun gulped. Part of him galled at the sight of his daughter loving a metal monstrosity from outer space. The other part of him, significantly smaller but infinitely more rational, the part that the older Autobots plus ex-Decepticon were trying to coax out of him, marveled at the sight before him that put a whole new meaning to the phrase, love is beyond skin and flesh.
"But how… why…what…….. how are they going to have babies?"
Ratchet who was holding Soun groaned. "Kotaro is for all intents and purposes, biologically human. Deal with it."
"And it doesn't matter whether they can or not. Sex isn't the ultimate expression of love you outdated myopic dirty old man," Trailbreaker snarled.
The Tendo patriarch said, "This is insane, I mean, what would my dear Kimiko think?"
"Tendo Kimiko has already approved. She personally told me so," Optimus said.
Soun was startled. "How can this be? She is dead! You're a robot, you can't possibly go to heaven to see her!"
Optimus' right eyebrow twitched angrily but he said coolly, "We are not robots. We are living beings as we've repeatedly told you. And by the way, I have a whole list of things your wife asked me to tell you," and with that, Optimus Prime's eyes glowed and two beams shot out of his eyes to the space in front of Soun and materialized into the form of Tendo Kimiko. Soun was shocked to speechlessness and opened his mouth repeatedly like a goldfish.
"Actually, perhaps it's better she does the talking. Listen well Tendo Soun, Tendo Kimiko's message to you."
The holographic image of Tendo Kimiko has an unhappy expression on her face as she began to speak and scold her still living husband.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bumblebee and Kasumi would probably have sat there together forever if not for Jazz's antics. They both suddenly heard a series of explosions along the beach. Chasing Jazz, with a disruptor gun blazing, was Arcee who was doing all she could to scrap Jazz. The silver Autobot in turn, was running as fast as he could but the pink Autobot femme was just as fast as he was. The Autobot femme looked slightly odd; her outer pink armour seemed loose and some parts of it weren't there, revealing some of the exo-skeleton beneath it.
"HENTAI! GET BACK HERE!"
"COME ON, YOU'RE A HOTTIE, WHY ELSE DO YOU THINK I WANNA LOOK AT YOUR HOT BOD!"
"IT DOES NOT GIVE YOU THE LICENSE TO SEE ME NAKED!" a green burst of energy shot out of her gun barrel and hit Jazz in his ass.
"YEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOWWWWW! WATCH IT, YOU COULD KILLL ME WITH THAT THING!" Jazz yowled as he leaped forward with his hands holding his buttocks.
"THAT'S THE GENERAL IDEA YOU DIRTY PERVERT!" Arcee roared then with a tremendous burst of speed, tackled Jazz to the ground and threw him on his back. Jazz looked in horror as Arcee's twin falchions unfolded from her arms. He barely had time to transform his own arms into a sword and shield before the falchions swung down on him.
"HEY HEY HEY! COME ON BABE…. EEEEAAAGGGGHHH!" Jazz screamed as his sword was batted aside and Arcee's left falchion slammed into the ground next to his head. He gulped as Arcee brought her face extremely close to his.
"Don't call me babe. You're going to wait a long time before you can call me that again," she growled before she stood up and left the silver Autobot shaking with fear on the sand. She gingerly shifted her armour around so that it fit more into place then transformed into a Porche, her backwheels pushing sand on Jazz before she sped away.
Kasumi sighed. "I guess with Ranma's and Akane's love affair settled, someone else has to fill the role of loving jackass in Nerima."
Bumblebee groaned. "You know what? With the Decepticons gone, that guy is never going to be serious again. I fear Jazz the fearless leader of special operations will never return. He better obtain a naked picture of you again or I'll blast his 'little friend' where it can never grow again."
She giggled. "Assuming Arcee doesn't do it first."
Jazz sat up and spit sand out of his mouth. Rubbing his scorched ass, he limped out of the beach, past the dinner table and to the sitting couple. "If you're done with your lovey dovey stuff, can we start the party? I've been starving myself since we came back in anticipation of today's feast."
"Of course Jazz," Kasumi smiled warmly, folding the photograph and putting in her dress pocket. "Could you do me a favour? Call all of the Autobots to assemble at the table. Dinner will be served shortly."
"Alright!" Jazz shouted as he jumped into the air then winced in pain as the still warm hole in his ass announced itself. "Owwwwwww, this may take a while. That tomboy chick better not be too far away," Jazz scowled as he limped towards the driveway where he expected the Autobots to be.
Bumblebee then took out a flask of water and drenched himself. In a moment's notice, he had become a handsome human again who then straightened himself like a soldier to Kasumi.
"Minami Kotaro at your service. What is your command, Tendo Kasumi?" he said formally.
She giggled then said, "Find the Nerima crew as well as the Amazons and ask them to assemble at the kitchen. Then turn yourself back into an Autobot and sit at the table. You are our guest of honour tonight, not Minami Kotaro, manager of the Cat Café."
Kotaro nodded then went into the house to fetch everyone else while Kasumi headed for he kitchen.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
The table had already been mostly set before Optimus arrived. The Oden pots on their portable stoves had been placed at strategic areas accessible to everyone. The sushi slabs had also been placed along with large plates of Tempura and huge bowls of Miso Soup, ten in total for the Autobots while on one side of the table, eleven smaller bowls for human consumption were placed. Each had a plate of Japanese Soy Sauce as well as Daikon Radish broth to each with the Tempura. Five massive pots of tea the size of a cement mixer were placed at strategic parts of the table, all the Autobots also had tea cups of the appropriate size as well. All of the Autobots were amazed as they saw the spread, Trailbreaker, Ratchet and Jazz actually drooled when they saw the boiling Oden and sushi pieces. Even Nodoka, Soun and Genma were astonished at the huge effort that their children and the Amazons had exercised to bring this meal to fruition. Optimus eyed the Oden longingly but restrained himself with dignity. As the Autobots surrounded three sides of the table while the other three Nerima residents went up the raised platform so that they could sit comfortably at the table, Elita and Arcee emerged from the beach. Nabiki was actually walking beside the female Autobot leader and conversing with her. Their faces lit in delight as they spied the awesome feast that was already displayed at the table.
"Oh God, is that really Kasumi's cooking? Hooray! It's been so long since she cooked!" Nabiki exclaimed as she ran towards the table. Elita smiled at Nabiki's childlike happiness and went to stand next to Optimus. The two smiled at each other and briefly held each other's hands.
Bumblebee then nodded to Optimus who then said, "Autobots, be seated."
The eleven Autobots settled themselves comfortably on the mats. Then all were startled as a bell started ringing from the mansion. All eyes turned towards the mansion and saw Kasumi leading a procession from the kitchen. She and the rest of the Nerima crew behind her, Cologne, Shampoo, Mousse, Ranma in his girl form, Akane, Ryoga and lastly Ukyo, were carrying a large wooden slab except for Ranma and Ryoga, who carried two. Soft jazz was being played via a surround sound system installed by Hound previously and cast a comfortable ambience on the dining area as the procession went on to the table. The Autobots looked eagerly at the wooden slabs but were disappointed to see a silver dish covering them, hiding its contents.
Each of them went to the side of one Autobot. For Ryoga and Ranma, the former stood between Jazz and Arcee while the latter stood between Ratchet and Hound. Kasumi herself stood beside Optimus Prime.
As one, they all placed the wooden slabs in front of each Autobot. Then Kasumi smiled warmly to everyone.
"To our honoured guests, the Autobots from planet Cybertron. It is with great pleasure and honour that I can finally welcome you properly to planet Earth. Speeches are long, boring and ultimately fail to convey the real message. So please everyone, make yourself comfortable as I proudly present, your dinner. Ranma, if you please," she turned to the red-haired girl.
"Right on Kasumi!" Ranma-chan said. Then with Amaguriken speed, she ran around the table and took off the silver covers.
"BY THE MATRIX/PRIMUS/OH GOD!" was only some of the exclamations the Autobots made as they visually savoured the expertly made sashimi meal before them. Nabiki, Nodoka, Soun and Genma marveled at the decoration of the sashimi, the pink and red slices which had been arranged to form the Autobot symbol. In addition to the Autobot symbol decoration, written at the bottom of the plate using Wasabi, were the words, 'Welcome to Earth!'
Only Bumblebee was silent, smiling with pride at his girlfriend's work. He was the one who drew the Autobot symbol for Kasumi to memorise than use it to arrange the sashimi.
Optimus looked in disbelief at Kasumi as she and the rest of the Nerima crew sat themselves on the raised platform. Genma and Soun were at the edge closest to Prime, followed by Nabiki, Nodoka, Ranma, Akane, Mousse, Shampoo, Elder Cologne and Elder Lux Shold Der, Ryoga, Ukyo and finally Kasumi who sat at the furthest edge, while Bumblebee sat closest to her.
"Oh my goodness Kasumi, you didn't have to actually make a full meal for all of us! You onlyt had to give us a sample of your cuisine," Optimus said.
Kasumi shook her head. "Now now Optimus, one of the basic principles of a happy family is a well fed family. Well not really, I made that up. But Optimus, I promised you a feast and a feast is what you will get. And a feast is not a feast if I make tidbit sized food that will not fill you tummies. I wanted to make you all a proper meal Optimus, Lord only knows how long it has been since you ate a proper meal. Please Optimus, accept this meal as my thanks to everything you've done for me.
Optimus shook his head. "There you go again Kasumi. We could debate till the end of time which one of us should be more grateful to the other. Still Kasumi, on behalf of the Autobots, I thank you again for your friendship. I thank all of you…." He gestured to the Nerima crew who had fought in China, "……….for honouring us with your bravery and your loyalty. Know that your bravery and loyalty has not gone unnoticed."
"Now I know we can't wait to start eating Kasumi's succulent food but this news is too good to delay. Cologne, if you will," he gestured to the Amazon Elder who then took out a briefcase out of nowhere and put it on the table. She opened the briefcase and took out a plastic wrapped document which looked extremely important looking. She looked around and smiled.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. Esteemed guests from the planet Cybertron. As of this morning, the Prime Minister of Japan and the President of the People's Republic of China has signed a treaty with Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. This treaty, gives the Autobots the freedom to reside and travel anywhere they want in China and Japan. The PRC and Japanese government honours the Autobots and special bureaus have been established all over both countries to provide whatever services the Autobots need. Though the treaty grants the Autobots legitimate rights in our two countries, they must still operate under the umbrella of secrecy. The United States government and the rest of the world governments will not know about their existence. But within China and Japan, they would be the most honoured of guests."
Kasumi gasped and cried as she heard the news. Finally it was official, the Autobots could stay in Japan and China without being hunted like illegal immigrants.
Optimus smiled at Kasumi. "Of course there were some conditions of our own. The PRC will implement some social reforms in the near future to improve the well-being of the populace in future and fight corruption. Slowly Kasumi, we Autobots will influence the PRC to be a democratic and just nation where its people are free from oppression and suppression. For your own country, we will work to improve your social services and fight crime that has been plaguing your cities. Yours is a young species and though the we Cybertronians are far from perfect, we will do what we can to guide your race to greatness."
Kasumi's happiness knew no bounds. "Oh Optimus, I'm so happy, I don't know what to say."
Prowl snorted. "If you're not going to say anything, I will." He then took a deep breath.
"ITADAKIMASU!" he roared then grabbed the nearest piece of Inari and stuffed it into his mouth without even using his chopsticks. A peaceful and satisfied look came over his face, smoothing away all the worry lines and wrinkles until he looked almost as young as Jazz.
"ITADAKIMASU!" yelled most of the Autobots and Nerima Wrecking Crew who promptly started eating. Even Soun, Nabiki and Genma started stuffing themselves like children at McDonalds.. Only Bumblebee, Prime, Elita and Kasumi bore any semblance of table manners as the others attacked the food with wild abandon, the Autobots were especially eager to taste everything at once. Kasumi was happy that she made enough food to be considered a full meal to the Autobots as it appeared as though they hadn't eaten in ages.
She quietly ate her own food, content at the sight of the happy Autobots before her. Bumblebee also ate silently but serenely, savouring every piece of food that went through his mouh. Kasumi looked Bumblebee and asked, "During the time you stayed with the Amazons, didn't you eat any food?"
"Only enough to maintain a human body worthy you Kasumi. Mostly wholegrains and vegetables as I practiced moving around in this body as well as study some martial arts with the Amazons. But I never tasted Japanese food at all until today. Kasumi, your cooking is fabulous and has far exceeded our expectations," Bumblebee said. He then took a piece of salmon sashimi, which Kasumi had yet to touch hers, with his chopsticks then held it near Kasumi's head. "Enough poking around with you own food Kasumi. Come on, I'll be damned if I find you underfed. Open wide Kasumi."
She laughed then accepted the sashimi piece from Bumblebee with wide-open jaws. Kasumi thanks God for the super fresh supplies she had managed to procure from her usual market suppliers. She literally bought up their entire day's shopping in one go. She chewed on the succulent piece and smiled beautifully as she tasted her own handiwork.
"Oh my, that turned out better than I thought!" she exclaimed.
Cologne broke her conversation with Elita and said, "It is indeed a feast fit for an Emperor, Kasumi. By Amazon chef standards, this is an excellent meal that can only come from a chef that puts a lot of love in his cooking."
"And judging by everyone's expression, it's clear your love knows no bounds Kasumi. Again you honour us, this time with your culinary expertise," Optimus said as he drank his miso soup. He sighed as he took a long drink before putting down the bowl. "It is indeed a great night to rejoice Kasumi."
"Amen Optimus Prime, amen," Kasumi agreed.
In the middle of the party, Trailbreaker and Ratchet revealed the liquor they had confiscated from the failed wedding Soun and Genma had planned. This made the Autobots very happy but Soun and Genma were reduced to crying wrecks as they saw their prized sake, wine, beer and vodka being consumed by the Autobots while they themselves were given only a glass to last the entire night. Kasumi was allowed to drink a little herself but kept the amount to the bare minimum. The younger Nerima Crew was also restricted from too much alcohol but even the one glass limit was enough to make them tipsy. The older Autobots were enjoying themselves thoroughly as no one restricted them.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh…….. this is good shit……."Kup said, his words slurring as he gulped his tenth bottle of vodka. Then he swooned and dropped to the ground, completely stoned.
Ratchet and Trailbreaker was swaying from side to side singing, "One hundred bottles of beer on the wall, one hundred bottles of beer! You kick one out, and Starscream's scrap, you get ninety nine bottles of beer, HEY HO! Ninety nine bottles of beer on the wall, ninety nine bottles of beer! You stomp one out, and Megatron's butt, you get ninety eight bottles of beer, HEY! Ninety-eight bottles of beer on the wall, ninety eight bottles of beer! Jazz looks at butts, Arcee burns his ass, you get ninety-eight bottles of beer, HEY!………………."This was pretty much how the two Autobots spent the rest of the night. It was a good thing their location was very remote, the nearest town a hundred kilometres away because Kasumi was sure the Autobots could be heard for kilomteres around.
The night drew on and eventually, nearly everyone was drunk and passed out on the table. Even Kasumi herself was slightly flushed as she had consumed more alcohol tonight than she had in her entire life, which even then was not much. Of the Nerima Wrecking Crew, only Cologne was still sober while the rest had passed out. Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and Elita were the only Autobots still awake and sober. All of them were happy and content, especially Kasumi as she saw that every bit of food had been consumed. There would be no leftovers tonight.
Cologne yawned then groggily balanced herself on her staff. "Well Kasumi, I can certainly say that the party is a success. For that I thank you but now, this old woman needs her beauty sleep," she cackled then winked suggestively at Bumblebee before hopping off to the mansion. Bumblebee shuddered and had a sudden urge to puke which had nothing to do with the amount of alcohol he had ingested. He regretted the fact that Cologne had been the first one to see him emerge from the Spring of Drowned Man completely naked. Ever since then the Amazon Elder never missed a chance to make sexual innuendos at the cursed Autobot that more than often unsettled him.
Optimus Prime sighed then gently nudged Elita who was dozing off. "I believe it's time for both of us to retire Kasumi. Make sure you do as well. Bumblebee, see her to her bedroom. Don't let her do anything stupid like cleaning up afterwards."
"Of course Prime. Unlike Cologne, she definitely needs her beauty sleep," he said as he stroked Kasumi's back.
"Oh Bumblebee, flattery will get you nowhere," she laughed.
Elita and Prime then stood up and walked to Kasumi's edge of the table. Prime then knelt so that his heads was at Kasumi's level.
"Thank you again, dear sweet Kasumi," Optimus said. Kasumi then leapt unto his shoulder and hugged his head, planting a kiss on his cheek as well.
"Goodnight Optimus. Sleep well tonight, and may the Lord my God and your God, bless you with sweet dreams," she whispered. Optimus laughed quietly and patted Kasumi gently. Then he picked up Kasumi gently and placed her on Elita's hands. This time, Elita brought Kasumi to her level and despite her size, managed to plant a kiss on Kasumi's fore head.
"May blessed dreams come to your sleep, daughter of Eve," she said before she placed Kasumi on the ground. She then took Optimus hand in hers, then walked towards the beach.
Kasumi heard a splash of water and turned around to see a slightly red Kotaro behind her. He looked at the time then said, "OK young lady, it is way past your bedtime," he said sternly.
"What are you my mother? Besides, I'm twenty years old, not a child anymore," Kasumi giggled.
"My my, what a naughty girl you are tonight. Besides, didn't Optimus tell you to go to sleep already?" Kotaro scolded Kasumi.
"OK, MOTHER!" she laughed then clutched at Kotaro's arm as they walked back to the mansion. Both were balancing on each other as well and walked in comfortable silence to the mansion, and once in the mansion, towards Kasumi's room.
The trip to Kasumi's room became longer as they walked more slowly towards it. Suddenly, both were acutely aware of each other's presence as well as the situation they were potentially putting themselves in. They dragged their feet but in the end, found themselves in front of the door to Kasumi's bedroom.
Both stood at the door for a while. Then Kasumi awkwardly said, "Thank you Bumblebee, for everything….. for loving me…." Her voice broke down and she once again cried silently.
Kotaro then shocked her by embracing her fiercely. She returned his passionate embrace and cried silently on his shoulder even as he himself cried. His own tears wet her hair but she cared not. "My beautiful sweet Kasumi, full of love and life. Thank you," he said simply.
The two continued to hug each other until a clock somewhere in the mansion struck three a.m. The two slowly broke their embrace but leaned their foreheads against each other. Kotaro sighed then said, "Goodnight Kasumi. Sweet dreams," then he kissed Kasumi on the lips. It was a short but soft kiss, which Kasumi found just as electrifying as a tongue jousting French kiss. She found herself speechless then closed her eyes to enjoy the kiss. She wanted to prolong the moment but knew it had to end when Kotaro pulled away.
As Kotaro walked backward then turned towards his room, she suddenly rushed forward and hugged him from behind. Kotaro stopped dead in his tracks when Kasumi said, "Please Kotaro, don't leave me tonight."
Kotaro took a deep breath and said silently, "What would you have me do Kasumi?"
"Sleep with me tonight," she whispered.
Kotaro blushed intensely but turned himself, placed a hand on Kasumi's cheek and sighed. "Kasumi, as much as I desire to, I don't think we should…"
The mansion was dark so neither could see each other blushing. "No Kotaro, I don't want you to sleep with me in that way: I just want you to… sleep with me for tonight."
For a long while, Kotaro did not answer. Then as though some unknown signal had passed between them, both of them opened the door and went into Kasumi's bedroom.
To be continued………
Author's notes
He he, sorry guys, no lemons here. If I ever decide to do one, it will be AFTER Kasumia and Bumblebee marry. In this matter I'm very old fashioned and believe sex should only come after the wedding vows as I believe sex is a sacred act that involves the joining of two souls (Somewhere in book of Ephesians I think). After all, how much more romantic can it be for two lovers keeping themselves pure to meet for the first night in holy matrimony? OK, that's just my opinion so I won't force anymore down your throats. Just an advise to all the rest of the youngsters out there reading this fiction. As Kasumi found out, good thing comes to those who wait.
Oh, and until I finally write the final chapter, I won't say to be concluded until I'm sure of it.
I hope you don't mind yet another filler chapter. I thought I would run out of things to write about but now, at the end of this story, I suddenly find a lot of things to write. Curse my stupid muse.
Thanks for all of your support and reviews. Please continue to grace me with your reviews and opinions. Long ones if possible.