A/N: This story is the second part of a series. Please visit our profile for the first installment, 'Breaking Shells'.

The line of Hotaru's posture was resolute, steadfast in single-tracked focus. Her eyebrows furrowed, eyes dancing austerely across textbook as her pencil flew over the notebook, barely glancing at it as she wrote. A single, flyaway lock of raven fell across her features and Ami swallowed, remembering the silken feel of it. Has it really only been one week? ...the longest week ever.

The blunette let out a shallow breath, shaking her head and returning to her own text. But from the corner of her eye, she could see Hotaru tuck the strand behind her ear. Ami remembered the way it threaded through her fingers; the warmth of Hotaru's cheek against her palm; the blush that would cover her cheeks and the way that her long lashes fluttered; dark mauves raising to freeze her in place with deep pools of intensity.

"So, me and Mako were talking about hitting the movies this weekend. Who else is up for it?" Ami glanced up to see Minako leaning back against her palms, her eyes inquisitively fixed on Hotaru who sat next to her.

Hotaru's eyes flicked to the blonde, before sweeping across the rest of the room and falling back to her text. "No, thank you."

Ami let out a breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The scribbling resumed, and Ami's form deflated, even as the entire room turned to her, wordlessly inquiring. Mina shot her a questioning look, but she shook her head discouragingly. This only spurred the self-proclaimed Love Goddess on, and she prodded the youngest senshi more, even though her sight was still settled on Ami.
"But it could be a good opportunity for a good date? You could get some popcorn and share the same bag, hold hands when the lights go dark..."

"I have some plans for Saturday." Her glance fell, business-like to her wristwatch, then she slapped her book shut with a snap. "But I need to go, anyways. It's three transfers to get home."

This time it was Mako's voice that chimed in, her voice thick with curiosity. "Oh. Your Papa's not picking you up?"

The girl shoved contents into her bookbag unceremoniously. "Not today."

"Oh."

Hotaru stood, shouldering the bag gracefully as she cast her eyes across the room.
"So, I'll see you guys next week, unless a youma."

Ami's heart was in her throat, drumming so loudly she couldn't breathe. She was remembering the feel of Hotaru's lips against her cheek, the haughty, bright laughter and the way her eyes lit up as she used to wave goodbye. But the door slid back shut with a definite click and the girl was gone again; leaving her in empty silence as the room stared at her in disbelief.

The outlines muddled before her, a wash of colors, but she squinted her eyes against it. She wiped a tear before it could fall with a single shake of her head, then turned her attention back to the book in front of her.

"What happened?"
Ami rose shining eyes back to Minako, who was staring at her with a look of incredulity.

"Nothing."
She shrugged, turning back to her text before more prodding questions followed.

THWAP!

"OW! What the-"
Ami flinched, protectively covering the back of her head gingerly as she shot Minako an injured look - whom matched her gaze in defiance, brandishing a rolled-up cosplay magazine, cocked for another strike.

"Don't just stand there!"

"She doesn't want to talk to me!"
She spit her words out angrily, the hurt edging and dripping off of them as she rubbed the sore spot woundedly.

"You're going to lose her if you don't try!"

Ami paused, her hand falling limply from her head, as she stared at the accusing door. The thought of talking to Hotaru again, just the two of them... - it was scary. Mortifying. Enthralling. Would she even listen to her if she tried? Would she even be able to find the right words or would her so-called genius fail her again? She turned to the rest of the room, but its occupants only nodded sagely at her.

"GO!"
The whole room shouted at her in unison, pointing towards the door, and after giving an obedient nod she pushed herself from her pillow and pulled the door open, sprinting down the stairs as fast as her feet could carry her.

"Taru! Taru, wait!"
Her own steps rang cold and hollow against the hard cement, but even as she called, Hotaru's determined march continued. Ami finally hit the last step with so much force she stumbled, her target nearly around the corner; the beauty before her was still walking away unwavering. The knot in the pit of her stomach grew tighter and she huffed, stumbling to a stop as she fought for breath, her head spinning in despair while the other continued to ignore her existence completely. She didn't realize what she had said until the word slipped out of her mouth, but the girl finally turned to face her. "Firefly, wait. Please!"

Hotaru straightened with tense shoulders, a methodical look upon her features as she settled a quiet, tempered stare on her, slicing right through Ami.
"Yes, Mizuno?"

The blunette flinched, gasping for breath but stood straight, involuntarily grimacing at the cold word.
"Please.. don't call me that."

Hotaru sighed, pulling herself to her full height as she readjusted her shoulder-bag, arching an indignant eyebrow.
"And what would you have me call you, then?"

"You can call me whatever you like, but not-" Ami caught herself at the deep frown appearing on Hotaru's features.
"I am sorry."

"For what?"

The two syllables pierced directly into Ami's chest, leaving her breathless and feeling utterly disarmed, helpless. Again.
"I- I guess... I was not prepared-"

"For WHAT?" The hurt in Hotaru's voice was palpable, cutting Ami off and driving another painful shard into her chest.
"There were a thousand times you could have stopped me, questioned me, paused me, and yet you did not. Did I make a mistake? Did you? What were you prepared for?!"

Her world was closing in on her, swirling around her, and all she could see was Hotaru in pain. How could she breathe, think, when all she saw were those swimming mauves before her, bright with pain that she had caused? Where were her words when she needed them most?
"That's.. not what I meant- I'm not saying this right..."

Hotaru's voice was stoic, cold, shaking with barely-controlled temper but just above a whisper.
"Speak now, then."

Ami's hands found their way into her own hair, running aimlessly through it, while her hazy mind raced in circles; words flashing before her eyes, meaningless phrases and useless expressions; the eyes before her piercing into her, accusing and demanding; emotions like tides crushing into her from all sides, their torrents deafening her to her own thoughts...

"I... I'm afraid I'm losing you."
She felt herself deflate, defeated, her gaze dropping to Hotaru's shoulder, faltering beneath the hurt in those precious eyes.

"I am not gone. I am still here. Which makes it even more painful. I'll have your back, Mercury. We are Senshi. We are comrades."

"But that's no-"

The steel of Hotaru's eyes cut her off again.
"The thing is, you don't even know what you're apologizing for... You really don't know. "

"...I never meant for this to happen."

"...Do you even realize what you've done? You don't even realize what it is you want."
With that, Hotaru turned around and walked away without another word, leaving Ami standing, speechless.

Ami sighed, running a hand roughly through blue locks as she watched the retreating back. 'How can someone be so right and yet so entirely wrong about me?'
"I do want you..." she whispered to the long-gone figure.

"Hush! I wanna liiiisssten!" She flailed her arm behind her, trying to get the attention of her fellow Senshi, who actually hadn't made any sound since Ami had left the room.

Makoto was the first to regain her ability to speak.
"What... just happened?"

Taking a quick glance over her shoulder, Mina lost balance and bumped her head against the doorframe. "Ouch."

"Serves you right. You shouldn't eavesdrop."
Rei. Always the buzz-kill.

"Well, I can't anyhow. Seems, they left the grounds..." Rubbing her temple, she returned back to her spot with the group.
"Lovers' quarrels' always a headache."

"I think, you just hit your head there, Mina. Let me check..."
Always so caring, Makoto leaned over to inspect the bump.
"...and what do you mean? Lovers' quarrel? Did they break up?"

"THEY BROKE UP?!"
Usagi was almost at the door, when Rei managed to grab her by an ankle. The pig-tailed blonde immediately lost balance and fell, face-forward, crashing into the pillow Mina had kicked into her path last second.

A muffled "hnfwhelpem" came from the fallen pile of limbs, before Rei kneeled down at her side and pulled her out of the cushion.
"No! That's none of our business!"

"But it iiiiis! We can't have them break up! They are sooooo cute together!"

Minako giggled.
"C'mon, girls! It's not over yet. Don't catch your sheep before they hatch, right?"

Makoto had finished her examination and fell back against the floor, her arms behind her head, meekly shaking her head at the 'Mina-ism'.
"Mina, seriously... These looks... The silence... Senshi of Silence, literally, huh?"

"...I wonder what Ami did. Or didn't do."

Rei opened her mouth in protest, but Mako had already caught on.
"Though, it's not for lack of effort..."

"Did you see the way they were looking at each other at last week's study session? Like they were having a conversation we weren't invited to."

Makoto nodded conspiringly at the blonde.
"They were getting all comfortable too, Hota laying on Ami's shoulder and watching her work!"

"She made it look, like algebra was sexy."

"Oh, stop with all the gossip! It's rude, you know!"

Ignoring Rei's prompt, Mina leaned forward to share more, but Usagi beat her to it.
"Once... I once walked in on them talking about physics, and was about to leave really quick again, because... physics. But then I heard Ami say, she didn't mind fractions, and Hotaru scooted closer. And- It took me a moment to get it, but... that was so cute!"

"Yeah," Mina grinned excitedly. "Seems, like our little Ami-chan's gaining a new perspective on approaching physics. Who knew studying could be so hands-on? I didn't hear much protest either, when we threw them into their seven minutes!"

"Actually, Mina. There was. Lots and lots of protest. You just ignored all of it," Rei dead-panned.

There was a thoughtful hum coming from Mako's direction.
"... actually, I think Ami has more trouble with it than she lets on."

Mina couldn't help but snort.
"But did you see them last week? When they kept holding hands beneath the table, thinking we wouldn't notice how Ami suddenly became left-handed just so she wouldn't have to pull her hand back up? I think she's doing just fine."

"No! But like... like you said." Mako's voice took on an air of concern. "She was really against it when we threw them in the closet, remember? And how many times has she suddenly jumped away like Hotaru might bite? Like.. she didn't realize she was even doing it? Seriously, she's like a mouse."

That would make Hota the cat... Minako shook the creepy grin off her face.
"Yeah, well, she might be flinchy at times, but overall, she's totally all over Hota. She barely can take her eyes off her-"

"Looking and holding hands are totally different from- you know."

"Of cos I know. And that's not even what I'm talking about. I mean, I've... I may or may not have peeked on them..."

"Mina!"

"When?"

Rei's shocked stare immediately redirected to an interested Usagi, who casually cocked her head to the side, patiently awaiting more intel.
"What happened?"

Mina cracked her knuckles, stretched her neck and sat up straight.
"So, the other day... When we had ended our study session early because Rei needed to prepare for that ceremony here, remember?" An excited nod from Usagi. "So, we all packed our things and left one by one. But when I was down the stairs already, I wanted to show Usagi that article from that magazine-"

"-the one about Koan's new hair conditioner line? You still haven't showed me that one!"

"...yeah, because I realized I left it in Rei's room, beneath a pillow-"

"You were reading tabloids again during study session, Mina?"

"Not the point, Rei. So, I went back to look for it, because it also had this funny test inside about 'Which color is your aura' that I really wanted to-"

"-Orange. 'Impatient and tendency to rush into projects, relationships and experiences too quickly. Urge to act immediately and consider the consequences later.' And we've literally seen the color of your aura, Mina!"

"Hush. My story. Anyway. I ran back up the stairs and realized I hadn't seen Ami and Hotaru leave yet, so naturally I slowed down when I approached the door-"

A good-natured laugh from her other side.
"Naturally."

Mina confirmed Mako with a serious nod, taking the chance to add a dramatic pause. "I slid the door open just a crack... and there. They. Were."
She drew out the last three words, staring right into Rei's eyes, challenging; another pause to make sure, she had her friends' undivided attention. "They were sitting at this very spot," she pointed to the currently vacant pillows between the door and table, "talking about Hotaru's English skills."

A huff, possibly disappointment from her audience, but Mina wasn't done yet.

"For a moment I considered just coming in, but then... Hotaru asked Ami to 'dance'... or 'advance', maybe. It was English and they were whispering, so it was a little hard for me to make out. But... well, it obviously wasn't for Ami. The making out..."

A moment to let them process...

"...wait. What?!"

"No. Way."

"Minako!"

Mina clasped her hands before her chest.
"Oh, it was sweet. They tenderly started kissing, a bit hesitant at first. And then Hotaru wrapped her arms around Ami's neck, running her fingers through Ami's hair. But Senshi of Silence, my dear. It was almost eerily quiet. Although, that was probably because they knew they weren't exactly having a private moment, because Rei could've come back in anytime. All the more interesting how they didn't stop after a few pecks and nuzzles. And I am telling you, there was tongue. And there were hands exploring..."

Mina couldn't help but sigh, but that gave Rei a chance to interrupt.
"Really, Mina. That's none of our business."

"Why here?" That was Makoto. And she had a point.
"I mean, really, anyone could have come in. Really, in a way, you were there."

"...because they don't really get any alone time." All eyes turned to Usagi.
"What?! It's true, isn't it? Between Hotaru's Haruka-papa giving them a hard time, school and Ami's cram-classes, study sessions and... well..."
At this point, Usagi's ears glowed red and Minako took a moment to ponder the nature and progress of her princess' own romantic life.

"Okay, well. We all left the room and they kissed. Still, that's not-"

"Oh, but Rei, I haven't come to the really good part yet!" Three sets of eyes returned to Minako. She smiled triumphantly. "Yes, there was more. So, Hotaru had her hands around Ami's neck, right? And then, Ami leaned forward and brought them to the floor and Hotaru's one hand went down Ami's side and thigh and-..." She paused and then woefully sighed. "Then Rei had to yell at Youichiru outside at the grounds and they jumped apart, pretty much startled. I hid, they left a minute later and I went to fetch my magazine."

"Soo... nothing really happened after all?"

"Oh, but they were totally about to! Hotaru was this close to get into Ami's-"

"Minako!"
Rei had almost jumped up in an attempt to cover Usagi's ears, but Usagi ducked out, patting the miko's hands away.

"Stoppit, Rei. Into her what?"

Mina only smiled amusedly at Rei's warning glare. "-heart."

"Still sounds more like Hotaru's initiative..." At the sound of her voice, Mina turned to find Makoto frowning into space. "I mean... from how you told it, and given that you peeked at them from a small gap in the door... Maybe it was Hotaru who pulled Ami down... you know? We're still talking Ami here."

Mina joined Mako's thoughtful frown. As much as the self-acclaimed Love-Goddess didn't like to admit it, Mako had just made another good point. Most of, if not everything they've seen or heard, seemed to indicate Hotaru was the resolved one; taking initiative and executing. Even just now, when Hotaru left, Ami needed Mina to push her to go after her... Maybe Ami can't handle it... "Maybe, she doesn't know-..."

A waft of fresh air caused her to pause mid-sentence, when the door slid open. The entire room fell silent and turned to see its new occupant.

Ami stood in the doorway, an air of determination set cleanly upon her features, the door sliding slowly to a stop before her. Ami's eyes danced across the girls, finally settling upon Minako. "I want her back."