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Rideback: Fire and Water

Chapter 9

Thanks Mom

Later that evening after some hearty celebrating, at least on Tamayo's part, Rin and Shouko are walking back to their dorm room.

"Wow, Tamayo can sure put them away can't she." said Shouko.

"I guess so. I've never seen her drink like that before. I only had one and I feel a bit tipsy." said Rin.

"Yeah me too."

"You know, Now we're going to have to get you a riding suit that matches Agua in your size." said Rin.

"Yeah good thing we get forty percent off. We can go into the city tomorrow and pick one up." said Shouko.

"Yeah okay." said Rin taking hold of Shouko's hand as they walked. "Could I ask you for a favor? It might feel kind of awkward so I'll understand if you don't want to." she added.

Shouko looked at Rin and said "Rin. Come on. You already know I'm going to say yes what ever it is."

"Well, I was hoping... Would you mind if we stop at my mothers grave for a bit on the way in tomorrow?" asked Rin.

"Well yeah. Sure, of course but isn't the anniversary about a month away yet?" asked Shouko.

"Yeah, It's just that I have something important I want to tell her and I don't want to wait until then." said Rin.

Shouko had a feeling she knew what this was going to be about and gently squeezed a little tighter on Rin's hand and said "Yeah okay. Would you mind if I said a few words too? I haven't spoken to your mom since we were kids in ballet class."

"Yeah, I'd like that. And I think mom would too. Thank you Shouko."

~RB~

Being fooled by the early rise in temperature the cicadas were chirping away as Rin asked the cab driver to wait before she and Shouko began the trek through the cemetery to her mother's final resting place.

Moments later and a few yards away from their destination Rin said "Thanks for coming with me today."

"Don't mention it. In fact now that I'm here I feel like I should have come sooner." said Shouko.

"Well, here we are." said Rin turning to face her mother's headstone.

"Hi, mom. Look who I brought with me today. It's Shouko. She's grown a lot since you last saw her so you might not recognize her. I know it's not quite time for my usual visit with grandma but I have some important news I wanted to tell you about. It's happy news but you may also find it a bit shocking. You see mom... I've fallen in love. I've met the person I want to spend the rest of my life with and..."

At that moment Rin took Shouko's hand in her own and continued "It's Shouko. I hope that doesn't upset you too much mom. Shouko is so wonderful and she's always been incredibly supportive. I really don't know what I would do without her. I really love Shouko with all my heart mom and I hope you can be happy for me... for us. Please?"

At that moment a warm and gentle breeze blew through and Rin was happy to take that as a sign of approval from her mother and said "Thanks mom."

"Rin, Would it be okay if I said a few words now?" asked Shouko.

"Yes, of course. Please. I think she'd like that." said Rin.

"uhm.. Hi Mrs. Ogata-sama..."

"sama?"

"Well yeah, She is the famous Yuki Ogata after all."

"Yeah that's true." said Rin.

"First.. this seems kinda silly but I feel compelled to apologize for not being a man some how. But I really love Rin and I promise to always do my very best to take care of her. So I... uhm We would really appreciate it if you could find it in your heart to give us your blessing please? Oh and one more thing. Would it be okay if I came along with Rin on all of her future visits please?" said Shouko.

Just then another warm breeze blew through. "See? She always did like you." said Rin.

"Thank you so much Mrs Ogata-sama." said Shouko.

"Well, we have to get going mom. We have a cab waiting. I'll see you again in about a month with Grandma okay. Bye mom."

~RB~

Rin and Shouko had just returned to their dorm room and Shouko had pulled her new riding suit out of the shopping bag and held it up to take another look at what she would soon be wearing on Agua.

Meanwhile Rin sat on the floor with her laptop looking at a ballet website.

Shouko turned her attention to Rin and asked "What are you looking at now? Another rideback website?"

"No. I'm trying to decide what ballet we should perform for the exhibition. There are plenty for two dancers but they all involve a male and a female dancer which is okay since the rideback's robotic arms are strong enough that it doesn't really matter which one of us does the catching and throwing so I'm just trying to figure out which piece will have the biggest impact or the right impact what ever that is."

"Well, since the crowed we'll be performing for isn't really a ballet crowd why not choreograph something completely new. You could even do something totally wild like a ballet to a rock song or something."

Rin's eyes lit up at that suggestion. "That's a great idea."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I love it. Will you help me?" asked Rin.

"Of course. I was hoping you'd ask. I definitely want to be involved in this." said Shouko.

"Oh thank you, thank you. I guess the first thing we need to do then is pick a song." said Rin as she closed the browser window and began perusing her music library.

"Just one song? Won't that be kind of short?"

"Well, yeah but considering the crowd it probably should be short. Expecting to hold their attention for any longer than five to ten minutes is probably asking a bit much especially if we have to do this after the race is over. Most people probably won't even stay for it. They'll head right to their cars trying beat the traffic."

Shouko sat on the floor behind Rin and slid forward then wrapping her arms around Rin's midriff rested her chin on Rin's left shoulder so she could peak at the screen.

"Should be something that builds in intensity to a good climactic finish." said Rin.

"mmmm... speaking of climactic..." said Shouko before proceeding to kiss and nibble Rin's neck and earlobe.

"Shouko..." said Rin, her smile betraying her feigned protest.

~RB~

In the two beds that they've had pushed together ever since Shouko's return Rin and Shouko lay in each others arms, Rin on her back and Shouko snuggling up on Rin's left with one arm and leg draped over her, the two of them barely illuminated by the moonlight spilling in through the window.

"That was wonderful. I love being with you like that Shouko." said Rin caressing Shouko's back.

"Yeah, me too." cooed Shouko before kissing her lover on the cheek.

Then Shouko placed a finger on Rin's chin and gave a tug to draw her attention away from the ceiling and once Rin's eyes met hers she whispered "I love you." and gently kissed her lover's lips.

"I love you too Shouko." whispered Rin before returning the kiss.

~RB~

Knock... knock... knock...

Okakura looked up to see Rin standing in the door to his office. "Any problems with Fuego or Agua?"

"Oh no. I just wanted to bring you this." she said handing him a cd. "Track 4. That's the song we'll be using. And we'll just need the track space around the finish line."

Okakura took the cd and looked at it. "I have this album." Then turning it over to look at track 4 he said "You're going to do a ballet on ridebacks to this?"

"Yes."

"Well this'll be interesting. Don't need any special lighting or anything?"

"No it'll be in broad daylight so any special lighting would work so well. We just need them to play that song for us."

"Okay I'll bring this to the officials and see what they say. No promises though."

"I understand. And thank you."

~RB~

Wearing her flame covered riding suit and sitting atop Fuego Rin looked at her little red cell phone that now has a head phone wire leading up under her helmet and said "For this to work we have to both start the song at exactly the same time. You ready?"

Shouko, wearing her black riding suit with blue swirls reminiscent of waves looked at her cellphone (complete with head phone wire) and said "Ready when you are."

"Okay, on three then. One... Two... Three." and with that they started their chosen song and started practicing the routine they had worked out that morning.