"-And who do I see up above us, screaming like a baby and flying across the ceiling? This idiot! Ziplining across Fremont street!" Shizue sighed, smacking Yami on the chest with the back of her hand. It immediately went to her forehead and her fingers framed her eyes in frustration and exhaustion. "Hikaru and I were having such a nice time again, and then-"

"I couldn't believe it," Hikaru said quietly next to her, as if in awe. 

We were all sitting in the front seats of the venue, a historic theater with a balcony and creaky floors. We'd be performing here tomorrow twice, then getting back on the road. It didn't seem real. But, it seemed more real than the story Shizue and Hikaru were telling.

"But Yami, you hate heights," I said, my pointer finger curling onto my lip in wonder.

He was just nodding, not looking at us. I knew that look. I had to prod further.

"Why would you do it?" I asked, as Tetsu's hand went over mine and intertwined our fingers. It made me smile, but inappropriately for the question. 

On stage, a loud squeal went up from an amp finally finding its correct plug in. We all jumped. Tetsu's other arm went around my shoulders in defense, but it was okay. It stayed there anyway, making me feel cuddly. 

"What? I didn't hear you," Yami said, nervously looking around and back up at the stage. Up there, Fumi grabbed his guitar and pressed it to his oversized black t-shirt with the word Metallica emblazoned on the front. Inevitably, he'd start playing and we wouldn't hear the end of this story. Tatara picked up his bass, too. Keitaro gave the last remaining American roadie an inquisitive look as he checked over the gear in final preparations for rehearsal. Yami's knee started jumping up and down. I recognized that, too.

My mouth opened at it, but Nobu was too quick. "Sana said, 'why would you do that'!" He was already starting to laugh, though. Oh, there was definitely so much more to this story. 

"Whaat?"

"He said-!"

A heavy guitar vocalized, bursting forth across the venue, echoing off the ceiling and then the back and towards us again, surrounding us with its voice. Up on stage, Fumi gave a satisfied grin and nodded at the roadie, then blasted off into space with a solo from Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train". This made Shizue completely forget her anger and jump up with a cheer, and Sawai-san was not two seconds behind her. Tatara picked it up, then so did Davy and it was a party all of a sudden. Fumi stopped for a split second, giving us the horns with his fingers as the ultimate sign of metal tribute, and that was it. The story was forgotten as we jumped in our seats as happy, pure fans.

By the end of rehearsal, I was completely exhausted. Up above everyone, I'd felt better than in the morning. I'd started swinging my seat gently, soaring, lost in our music. Keitaro had said it created a beautiful effect and would be even more so in full costume. I'd been wearing the top half of it, but in place of the tail there'd been a long white tulle skirt. Osamu hadn't wanted to fuss with the tail just yet, and Ren had agreed. It was obvious they hadn't wanted to tire me out too much by putting it on. I appreciated it. The skirt was gorgeous, anyway. It was overly long, so it emulated the feeling of the tail for me, which I could only image was the point, on top of being beautiful in the air. However, the feeling of toplessness with the Lady Godiva-like hair being my only cover with the skirt below gave me such an androgynous feeling. I liked it. That was my little secret. 

We were going back to the hotel now to get ready for dinner. We'd be eating in house, at the buffet. Yellow Lizard and couple of their wives would be with us, so it was a big deal. I couldn't pay attention to that, though, because next to me in the car Tetsu was happily kicking his feet. I watched them prettily lift up his orange and red kimono in a rhythm. It was one of mine, an autumnal pattern. He'd danced in it for practice, needing a kimono to emulate the moves he'd make tomorrow, getting the fabric movements right. In truth, it had been bliss. Swinging my seat, gazing down at him lovingly as I serenaded his dance. As he'd twirled again while peering up at me with that smile, I knew I'd never forget the image. 

With no warning, he collapsed onto my shoulder, breaking my reverie. I jumped, but saw just as fast that he was grinning with his eyes closed. So pleased. It wasn't hard to guess what he was thinking about, and I was proven right.

"I'm so happy. You looked so beautiful up there. Everyone's going to be staring at you," he said, a hint of teasing in his voice, but he was sincere. His beautiful big eyes peered up at me just like on stage, but so close now, making my heart start to pick up the pace. My hand found his, and that grin became even wider. How did I have that kind of magic? 

I shook my head, sharing his grin. I couldn't help it, it was my everything. "They're going to be staring at you, for sure," I said, starting to giggle at him as he stuck out his tongue just a little bit. I stuck mine out at him, and he giggled with me. His arm went around my front and he relaxed on me, knowing I felt strong. Mine went around him, too, securing him to me. This rare reversal of our usual roles. I never wanted it to go away. I was tired, but I could do this at least. His long, curly black wig was brushing my chin over and over as he breathed quick little happy breaths. He was my whole joy. 

The Las Vegas Strip was now going by us in the twilight of the evening, but I only had eyes for him. All those lights, but he was the light of my life, the only one that mattered.

In the mirror, I watched from the bed as he preened and primped himself. He lifted his cologne and gave himself a couple of small spritzes. I'd noticed over time that as a whole, in Japan people didn't like to have overpowering smells. He was no exception, and by only getting close to him could you smell his cologne. It was like an intimate secret. He only wore it for certain occasions, too. He almost never wore a scent if he was wearing a kimono, too, worrying about staining or causing an odor in the silk. So, this cologne was a special treat. I looked forward to smelling it later. Maybe it would linger to when we were in bed together.

He put on a nice navy blue velvet suit jacket. It paired well with his cream colored shirt and smart black jeans. It would be a dressy, but casual evening. I was wearing a drape sleeved maxi dress with florals on it myself. A pearl necklace adorned my neck. He patted a black tie to his own, then swapped it for a navy blue one to match his jacket. His eyebrows creased adorably, and he switched to the black tie again. There was a waiting faux gold tie clip on the dresser for when he decided, but I had different ideas. 

"Don't wear a tie," I said. Maybe too quiet, but he heard anyway. 

"Hmm? No tie?" He swung around and I was met with the image of him holding up both ties to me. He was so cute. 

I shook my head, smiling. Him asking that gave me such a warm feeling. This domesticity. My hand went over my heart, wanting to keep it close. "No tie. It's casual formal anyway. I wonder if anyone is going to wear a tie?" 

"Oh. Hmm." He stared down at the ties in his hands. "Maybe I should call Keitaro and ask what he's going to wear."

"Nah. You look good like that."

"Nah?" He repeated adorably. This English word. It made me giggle, unable to help it, automatic. He wiggled the ties at me, making me giggle worse. He put them on the dresser and then came toward me. He jumped onto the bed like a cat and my hands went over my mouth at how cute he is. He crawled to me and laid down in a sprawl on his back, looking up at me with all the love in the world. He face said it all. His hands went up and I caught them. He grinned at me just like in the car and I was all his. "Do I look handsome?" He asked.

"No, you look beautiful," I corrected, losing myself in him. 

He sighed happily. We took in this moment together for a while, just happy together. After a while, though, I poked his shoulder, then my hand swept over his chest, feeling the plush of the velvet. 

"Hmm?" He asked, so content to be petted like a dog by me. My hand kept at it, enjoying feeling his breaths going up and down as I felt the jacket's softness.

"Where did you get this jacket?"

"Oh. Hmm. I got it a long time ago, in Ginza. It was at a department store with a lot of designer brands. I saw one like it on TV, so when I saw it I had to have it. I didn't know when I was going to wear it, but I can finally wear it now. I thought maybe there might be formal occasions in America."

"Ohh. But um..."

"Hmm?" That lovely smile. It enchanted me, even though I was about to ask this. Nervous butterflies were in my chest at my question. 

"Wouldn't you want...um..."

"Yes, baby?" He adjusted and got up on one elbow. In no time, he was facing me as he sat in a modified seiza position. 

I let out a small puff of air through my nose, deciding to deep dive into it. "Wouldn't you want to wear a dress, like me? Some day..." I hadn't known how to phrase it, and it came up all of a sudden, but I wanted to know. Remembering him in the car, wearing the kimono out in the open. He'd been so happy then. He was happy now, but in a different way.

Ah, but that grin was back, spreading on his face with his kind eyes. He took my hands again, so gentle. His thumbs rubbed my palms as he focused on them. "Mm...yes, some day. I know I want to... But I don't mind a suit jacket and tie. It doesn't make me feel bad or anything. Well, some days I want to wear a kimono or a dress, or even a skirt. But, I'm okay for now."

For now.

"For now?" I asked gently, not wanting to prod. He slowly worked on my hands, giving them a massage. This alone told me he had more to say. 

"Mmhmm. Yeah... Well, not everyone at that table knows my feelings. I don't want to make it awkward. That's why, some day I'd like to go to a similar function wearing what I like to wear, but I don't mind wearing this jacket." He finally looked up at me, that small smile still there. "I can at least get some wear out of it."

"Okay, honey." I wanted to make it better somehow. His ponderous movements on my hands were telling me a different story. We sat like this for a few minutes, too aware of the time. The night had descended and fallen, though the lights outside were still bright. Beyond them was the darkness and stars. Soon, it would be time to go to dinner. 

As he still rubbed my hands, but said no more, I had a sudden thought. A way to make it a little better. If only I could think of a way to do it. 

This curious thing. Him wanting to wear formal women's clothes to this, but he couldn't. Having to hide. It made me think of my feelings up on the swing, enjoying being androgynous for once. Being satisfied with myself. I wanted him to be satisfied with himself, too, even if he couldn't show it to the world. 

I got my chance as we waited for the others in the lobby. Sawai-san was sitting in a chair and I was next to her in my wheelchair. Natsuko came around the bend wearing a beautiful formal dress and Tetsu ran to her, saying she was so glamorous and she only had wonderful words for him back. So, in this brief moment alone, I leaned over to Sawai-san. 

This memory I'd had earlier. Something I'd seen in the shops when Tetsu and I had gone shopping this morning that I'd wanted for myself, but now I only had one clear thought. 

"Sawai-san," I whispered in her ear. She took my cue, whispering back.

"Hmm?" She adjusted the lapel of her own slim cut suit jacket casually as if nothing were the matter. She caught on so quick.

"There's something I saw in a shop earlier that I want to get for Tetsu. Can you get it before we all retire for the night? Like, have it delivered up to our room?"

"Ohh? What is it?"

"Well..."

And as inconspicuously as possible, I told her.