Legal Disclaimer is on Chapter 1... this is the 3rd. Chapter of Dale's Rebirth- Anime Fascination.

        A Mangaka's Biggest Moves
        By Dale Speer & Angela Brown

        It was bright and early the next morning, and Dale was up smelling the morning air before joining the others for breakfast. The 2 women who Dale met 2 days ago took the responsibility of bringing their bags to Naoko-chan's home and watching over their hotel room, which Dale gladly accepted.

        Meanwhile, Sandra was telling her friend all that happened before Steven attacked them- and the Mangaka was impressed to learn that Dale was a child in the world of Anime.

        "Deru-chan is truly the vision of Selenity I've seen in a long time," Naoko remarked, "and for her to be helping you in your divorce for nothing is a sign of it. I always thought she was a special person- and you just proved it." "I always thought so," Sandra replied with a smile.

        Just then, Dale entered the room they were in and bowed politely to them. "It is a great honor to be here with you, Naoko-chan," Dale told their host... who then smiled. "It's my pleasure to have you and Sandora-chan as my guests," she replied.

        Dale then sat down at the table, joining both the mangaka and her friend. "It was indeed very kind of you to allow me to finish my recovery here, Naoko-chan." Sandra said, then asked Naoko if their costumes had been finished yet. Dale looked at her in surprise when Naoko said that the costumes were indeed complete. "How can that be?" she asked in surprise. "We just ordered them a few days ago."

        Naoko laughed as she said, "My friends at Chacott normally work very quickly and efficiently. I called and had them put your order on the top of the list. They finished them just yesterday morning. But not only are your costumes complete, they're in the closets of your rooms. Perhaps sometime today we could have a fashion show, showing off your costumes. That is, if both of you are up to it."

        "We can't thank you enough, Naoko-chan." Dale responded, and Sandra nodded her head in agreement.

        Naoko then said, "I remember the time when you wore your first Kimono, Sandora-chan- and I've even kept it here at my home as a reminder of the friendship we share. You've grown older since that first time- and much more beautiful than I would have expected."

        "I didn't even remember my first Kimono, Naoko-chan," Sandra replied while blushing, "But I'm glad you kept it here." She then told Dale that a kimono is a robe worn at home and during certain festivals in Japan. "I didn't even know what a Kimono was," Dale replied, "but I saw them in certain movies. And the belt worn at the waist of it is called an Obi?" And Naoko nodded her head in reply to Dale's question.

        "I think that we should go shopping today," Naoko then continued, "You, Sandora-chan, need a new Kimono... and I'm sure that Deru-chan would like to own her first." "You are too kind, Naoko-chan," Sandra replied, and Dale nodded her head in reply. So the 3 of them got into her car and their driver took them to one of Tokyo's many Shopping Districts.

        "I only understood about the Obi," Dale said, "because it was used as part of the name of a character in the Star Wars saga- Obi-Wan Kenobi. I didn't know that an Obi was a belt worn with a Kimono here in Japan." Naoko then giggled as she said, "You have much to learn, Deru-chan- but I'm sure that me and Sandora-chan can bring you up to speed with it."

        Sandra nodded her head. "I know we can do it." she replied to Naoko as they pulled up in front of a store. The three of them then got out of the car. While the 2 girls waited on the sidewalk, Naoko spoke quietly to the driver for a few moments. As the driver drove off, Naoko then turned to the girls.

        "I figured we could start here, get our kimonos, then just walk around for a while." she stated. "The driver will come around when we're done." "Sure thing, Naoko-chan" Dale replied as the 3 of them walked into the traditional clothing store they had been dropped off at.

        The owner of the store greeted Naoko warmly, as they were close friends. Dale and Sandra then began to browse through the section for female kimonos. After an hour, and many changes, Dale had chosen her 1st kimono, and Sandra had her newest one. Naoko also picked up a new one for herself.

        Since the kimono's were to be sent directly to the Mangaka's residence, the trio walked out of the store empty handed. The rest of the morning was spent browsing through the many stores the shopping district had to offer. They picked up many bags of items, as it was decided that Dale had to have more than just a kimono. Included in the items were several mangas by authors like Megumi Tachikawa and the group CLAMP, not to mention some anime DVDs.

        As they sat down to lunch, Sandra noticed that Dale had a big grin on her face. Sandra exchanged knowing looks with Naoko, who smiled and nodded her head in return. "So Deru-chan," Naoko said, "Are you enjoying your day so far?"

        Dale nodded her head. "Hai, Naoko-chan." she replied. "It has been far better than I hoped it would be. Especially being in the company of such a great artist such as yourself."

        Sandra grinned. "If you think this is great, just wait til Comiket starts. It's totally awesome." Naoko nodded her head in agreement. But little did the 2 girls know that Naoko had something very special planned for them that would literally knock their socks off.

        Once lunch was finished, the trio then took off for some more shopping... and Dale was pleased with what they selected. She was considering something special for herself... but she didn't know what to buy.

        "What could I buy for myself that would be great?" Dale thought, "I always had others buy for me... but now that I'm so lonely, I almost wish I could buy myself a sister that would be there to listen to me." She then took a long look at Sandra... and wondered if she would be the sister that Dale needed in her life.

        Naoko also looked at her new friend and saw the look on her face and knew that what Dale needed was more than just a friend or a client... that she needed someone who would talk to her whenever she needed it.

        During that afternoon, Sandra was also thinking to herself. She was wondering when she had ever had this much fun. Dale was like a refreshing wind that had blown so suddenly into her life. Sandra was hoping that this wind would not disappear as fast as it had come.

        "In fact," Sandra thought, "I hope it doesn't disappear at all. Dale is the best friend I have ever had that was so close to me in age. Dale feels like the sister I never had. No, not just a sister. More like a twin."

        The day ended as quickly as it had started. The trio had been picked up late in the afternoon by the mangaka's driver, and they loaded the car with the items they had bought. Soon, they were nestled back in Naoko's residence. She looked at the two girls.

        "You two look like you are exausted. The shopping spree has taken alot of energy. Tomorrow, we will do the fashion show." Naoko said, then continued, "But it will not only me looking at you in your costumes. I have some friends coming over tomorrow that are interested in seeing the 2 of you as Usagi and Minako."

        "Arigatou, Naoko-chan." Sandra said gratefully. "I look forward to it." She let out a small yawn., then got up from her seat. "I'm going to head to bed, as I feel sore and a bit weak from today's excersion." She walked over to Naoko and gave her a hug, then did the same with Dale. But when she hugged Dale, she squeezed a little tighter, let it last a little longer.

        "Good night." she said, then headed upstairs to her room. She barely was able to finish changing into nightclothes before she fell onto the bed and fell asleep before her head hit the pillow.

        "I think I'm going to stay up and have some tea to relax my nerves," Dale said, then asked Naoko for permission- and she had one of her kitchen servants prepare some tea & sweets for the young woman. "I hope this will give you the relaxation you deserve," Naoko said, and Dale gave her thanks before the Manga artist retired for the evening.

        Dale then went to her room and got her notebook computer. After plugging it in and opening notepad, she wrote this in her journal...

        Today has been like none other... in the company of Naoko-chan & Sandora-chan shopping for clothes, jewelry and other things was an enjoyable experience.

        The kimono I chose for myself was blue with a star on one side of my chest and a crescent moon on the other... and it seemed that Naoko was pleased with my selection, as she also created Usagi and the other characters of Sailor Moon. I hope that what lies in store for tomorrow is a good thing for me... for I already intend to ask Sandora-chan if she would become my adopted sister. Ever since the rest of the family passed away and I moved to Baltimore, I was a lonely girl... and she has given me a new joy that I can't even explain. She seems to be like the twin sister I never had... for my parents didn't want any other children in their lives. I hope that she accepts my offer, for I don't want to be lonely ever again.

        Dale then went to her room and fell asleep once she lied down. She had a feeling that everything was going to be alright once she asked her new friend to become her adopted sister...

        At sunrise the next morning, Dale was in the courtyard stretching her body so that she could do her morning workout. Not even Sandra knew that her twin was a martial artist- holding a 2nd. degree black belt in shudokan karate. Once she was loose enough to where she could move, Dale then went into a basic kata for a warmup... and it was then that Sandra came out and saw her in the gi outfit- and asked what she was up to.

        "I'm going through my workout," Dale said with a smile. "I thought that a workout was lifting weights or doing aerobic exercise," Sandra replied, "What was it you was doing?" "She was doing her Karate, if I remember," Naoko said with a smile, "To us Japanese, Karate and the other Martial Arts provide a much needed aerobic workout- besides teaching us needed defensive skills."

        "I didn't know you was a martial artist, Deru-chan," Sandra replied- and Dale retorted that she needed the skills taught in Karate to keep her temper normal- for she always felt at ease when she worked out on her Karate.

        "So what rank are you, Deru-chan?" Naoko asked her. "Ni-dan in Shudokan Karate, Naoko-chan," Dale replied with a smile. "You must have had a challenge gaining your rank by this time," Naoko said after she explained what Dale was to Sandra- who was surprised to find that she was a high-ranking martial artist. "But I wish that Karate would be offered in the Olympics," Dale said, "For I could easily take an individual gold medal in Kata and place at least 4th. in Kumitè." "That's the problem with the Olympics," Naoko said, "They accepted Judo, but not Karate or Kung Fu."

        "Wow." Sandra said. "You must have alot of confidence in yourself to believe you could win a gold medal. Would you be willing to teach me Karate? That would surely help me defend myself against jerks like Steven." Dale nodded her head and grinned as she said, "Sure! In fact, why don't we start now?" She then waited while Sandra went inside and came back a few moments later in a sweatsuit. Dale then spent the rest of the morning teaching Sandra some very basic things.

        A few hours later, the trio then headed inside. Dale and Sandra, after showering, joined Naoko in the dining room for a large breakfast. When they had finished, Naoko told them that she had a surprise for them. "What kind of surprise is it, Naoko-chan?" Sandra asked her old friend, with Dale eagerly awaiting the response.

        "The only thing I'll say is the surprise will be here any moment, in time for today's fashion show." A doorbell was heard, and Naoko quickly herded them out of the room by saying, "So why don't you 2 then go up and change into one of your costumes and meet me in the living room when you're done?"

        Shrugging, the 2 girls then went up to their rooms. A moment later, Dale came to Sandra's door with her Myu Moon costume and the necessary accessories, wanting to change with Sandra, who was dressing into her Myu Venus outfit. She let her into the room happily, and they began to change into their respective characters.

        Downstairs, Naoko was chatting with a group of 10 women who have had one very unique distinction- all of them, at one time or another, were the principle voice-actresses for the Sailor Moon anime in Japan and all had a rapport with Naoko as she was the creator... and she inspired them to be all they could.

        Naoko explained what Cartoon Network was doing to her creation- and this got the group very angry. They knew that their effort was beloved all over the world- but with Cartoon Network treating it like it was just something to bring more viewers for its afternoon lineup in, they got so angered that they wanted to do something. Not only that, but AYA HISAKAWA was also angered at the way the network- as well as *KidsWB*- treated CARDCAPTORS, she wanted to just go over there and bash a few heads in. But Naoko calmed them down when she told them of her plan...

        "So you're going to assemble a group of cosplayers from the U.S. here at your home," KOTONO MITSUISHI, the first voice of Sailor Moon, reiterated, "and use them, with your sanction, to help bring the series back from the brink of extinction- as well as get more people interested in Shoujo Anime & Manga. That's a killer strategy, Naoko-chan." "Hai," Aya added, "having this will help bring Shoujo into the forefront of the U.S. audience. Do you have anyone here now?" "Hai," Naoko answered, "In fact, they're just coming down the stairs now."

        Sandra and Dale were walking down the stairs and into the living room, where the fashion show was going to take place... and Naoko met them, escorting them into the living room- where one of the biggest surprises was seated for them. Sitting on the furniture and standing were the circle of 10... and Sandra's eyes flew open in surprise. "Who are all of these people, Naoko-chan?" Dale asked- as she didn't know them.

        "These 10 have had the priviledge of being the principle voice actresses of the Sailor Senshi," Naoko explained to Dale, "and I invited them over for this one occaision. I felt they should see you in your costumes- and let you get to know them." She asked them to sit down while still in their costumes and introduced the 10 women to Dale.

        "I thought Naoko-chan was joking when she said that you had your hair styled like our character," Kotono said while waving to her and KAE ARAKI, "But when we saw the hair on your scalp, we realized that she wasn't. You've become the real-life vision of Sailor Moon that we could actually believe in." "And I wouldn't even believe that you could become Sailor Venus, Sandora-chan," RIKA FUKAMI, Venus' Voice, said, "But now I can believe it."

        Points Of No Contact & No Return | A Cosplayer's Dream

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