Disclaimer: I do not own any of the sailor moon characters, all I own is the plot to this story.
Glaring at the picture on the wall she took another gulp from the bottle, her mind a whirl of dark thoughts as she thought about what had happened over a month ago. As she sat there, glaring at the now empty bottle that was in her hand as the radio replayed the same old love song that had once expressed the love that she had felt toward the very source of her pain now.
As the tall blonde sat at her counter she didn't pay any attention to the pair of worried eyes that was watching her from the doorway. Only noticing when she got to her feet and headed toward the bathroom.
"Shouldn't you be in bed?" the short haired woman stated, her voice thick from the alcohol that she had consumed. Though the young girl flinched back at the hardness in the tone.
"C...couldn't sleep." the child stammered causing the woman to sigh.
"What is it this time?" The blonde questioned, her voice cold despite the fact that she was actaully concerned for the child.
"y...you wont leave me too will you?"
The question tore at the blonde's heart, knowing that the separation was much harder on the six year old girl than herself...especially since the one she had called mother no longer wanted anything to do with her.
"Hotaru, How many times have we been over this? No." her answer was icy as she once again felt the wounds rip open inside her heart. She didn't realize that her tone actually caused the child's eyes to well with tears.
"Sorry Haruka-Papa..." the child whispered before retreating back upstairs where she tunneled herself beneath the covers, tears silently spilling over. She knew Haruka had missed Elza but she didn't know why her father figure was so cold toward her.
"is it my fault that she left?" the child whispered to the empty silence that had now filled the house. Her tormenting thoughts continuing even as she settled into unsteady sleep.
Meanwhile Haruka was staring at her reflection in the mirror, teal-blue eyes red rimed with from the hours she spent awake. Slowly she found her way to her room, sitting down on the bed as she allowed her thoughts to wonder to the life she had only months before.
Sighing she got up and headed toward her daughter's bedroom, walking into the room even though she knew that the child had already fallen asleep. Leaning down she pulled the covers tight around the young girl before pressing a kiss against her forehead.
"sleep well kid." she whispered before getting getting up and heading out of the room however to her surprise the little girl whispered
"Daddy? Can you please stay?"
The blonde froze and then sighed before turning back toward her child, a small smile on her face.
"Sure." she answered as she walked back over and reseated herself on the lavender colored blankets before she added in a firmer tone "but only if you get yourself to sleep."
Hotaru nodded and curled against her father figure's side. This had been the first time since the breakup that Haruka had allowed herself to be near the child in such a way.
Haruka slid herself beneath the covers and wrapped her arm around the child.
"Hotaru, I'm sorry...things must be hard for you too. I promise I'll start being a better parent to you." The tomboy stated softly, glancing down at the child who was now looking up at her with wide eyes.
She was stunned into silence, Haruka never admitted anything let alone when she made a mistake.
"its okay papa." The little girl tried to assure however the blonde just shook her head.
"no it's not kid. I was a jerk toward everyone...even you." Haruka replied softly then added "Right now kitten you need rest."
Hotaru smiled at the nickname as she curled close to the woman.
"I love you daddy." The little girl's comment brought a smile to Haruka's face, for in her mind she was unlovable. Though her daughter's innocent comment comforted her a bit.
"I love you too Hotaru now go to sleep before I end up having to go to my own room." she retorted, though her tone was a bit playful as she leaned down and and pressed her lips against the child's forehead.