Always a Sunny Day
By ElysianNeptune
One
The antsy five-year-old, Hikaru Kaioh waited as patiently as she could for her mother to finish ordering the meal. She was ready to go outside and play with her friends, but Michiru wanted her to have a full stomach first. Hikaru tapped her foot impatiently. She kept glancing over at the tinted glass doors. Seeing the other children play on the playground across the street was making her very impatient.
"Hikaru Kaioh, if you don't settle down you're going to have to sit in time out," her father spoke. He was tall, broad shoulder, and had light brown hair and onyx colored eyes. He was holding their very sleepy son, Kaimu Kaioh. He was a year younger than Hikaru and in their father's eyes much more behaved then Hikaru.
Michiru gave her husband a disapproving look, which he ignored. She didn't always agree on how he reacted to the children's behavior. He was a little bit too strict with Hikaru sometimes.
Aito's threat didn't seem to phase Hikaru though. She happily danced around her mother and hummed the tune of a song. Makoto Kino finally came through with their order. She chuckled softly when she heard Hikaru's hum.
"You listen to Taylor Aino's music as well?" Makoto asked, as she handed the tray to Michiru.
Hikaru nodded and giggled, "She's really cool. I'm going to be like her one day,"
"Minako sure does have her hands full with Taylor's music. I can't believe at only eight-years-old and the little girl is performing already," Makoto gushed. "She really has talent."
"That she does," Michiru laughed. "We'll see you around, Makoto."
The family of four sat down at a booth. Hikaru sat down next to her mother, eyeballing the food. She knew the quicker she ate it then the faster she'd be able to play at the playground. Aito handed out the meal to his family. He gave Hikaru a discerning look when he handed her the soup. Hikaru coward, she knew what that look meant- don't hurry. Hikaru picked up her spoon and slowlybegin to slurp down her soup. She kept watching the playground, yearning to be out there with her friends.
Hikaru and Kaimu did not speak throughout the whole meal. Ever since they were old enough to speak the rules had always been 'No children talking at the table'. Michiru and him had argued about it on few occasions, but she finally gave up.
Makoto watched the family from behind the counter. She, along with everyone else, was well aware that Michiru was not happy with her situation with Aito. He was good to her and the children, but was far too strict. The two had not been in love with one another when they married and it still showed to this day. It was a bittersweet situation and was the only way for Michiru to have children. Aito knew this. Their marriage had been arranged since they were born. Aito was about to marry his beloved wife when Michiru stepped back into the picture. They were both appalled to find that the other was still alive and were quickly wedded. Michiru's mother and Aito's father said it was the only way to keep the Senshi line going.
Makoto frowned and went back to work. She was happily married and had two beautiful children; Isamu, a son, and Lilac, a girl. Makoto had been ecstatic when she had found out that she was having a son. She had always dreamt of having one. Isamu was eight while her daughter, Lilac, was six.
Makoto, along with, Minako, Michiru, Hotaru, and Haruka had decided to try life outside the palace. They wanted their children's lives to be as normal as possible. Neo-Queen Serenity, Ami, and Rei resided in the palace with their families. Neo-Queen Serenity had always made sure that her friends knew they were always welcome home.
Setsuna on the other hand had not been seen since the last battle and that was nearly a hundred years ago. Everyone pondered where the Senshi of Time had gone, especially Hotaru, who had been raised by her and Haruka and Michiru.
There was a loud clash from the little booth. Aito flew up out of the booth and pulled Kaimu out. Aito didn't have to say any words to his son to make him cry. Michiru tried getting up to help Aito clean up the mess Kaimu had made, but he told her to sit back down. Michiru obeyed, not wanting to make a bigger scene.
Aito didn't say anything to his four-year-old son. He was well aware that it had only been an accident and that he felt guilty enough for spilling his soup. Hikaru finished up her soup and then waited for her queue that she could go outside and play. Michiru and Aito finished up shortly after. Aito picked up his napkin and wiped off his face. He leaned over the table and kissed Michiru. Hikaru and Kaimu cringed but did not make any noise.
"I'm going to work now. I'll be home in time for dinner," Aito spoke only to Michiru. He then turned to his son and kissed the top of his head, "You have fun and try to stay out of trouble. Don't follow your sister."
Kaimu nodded. Aito stood up and walked over to Hikaru. He bent down to her level and she threw her arms around his neck. He lifted her up and hugged her. "You be good for your mother and don't get your brother into any trouble."
Hikaru nodded enthusiastically, "Love you!"
"I love you too," he replied setting her back down on the booth.
Hikaru kicked her legs underneath the table, excitedly, any minute now and she could go outside and play with her friends. Kaimu was still slightly shook up about the incident with his soup.
The restaurant bells chimed, as the door was opened. A small sandy haired little girl rushed over to the table excitedly, followed by another girl, who had black hair and purple eyes.
"Hikaruuuuu. When are you coming to play?" the sandy blonde haired girl asked.
Hikaru looked up at her mother with huge puppy dog eyes. She had her fathers eyes, but Michiru's hair color. Michiru nodded and Hikaru squealed in delight. She shot off the booth and tackled her friends happily. Her blue curls bounced as the three girls skipped merrily out the door.
Michiru watched, making sure the children made it to the park. The little girl who had asked Hikaru when she was coming to play was Haruka's youngest daughter, Hana. Haruka had lost her husband when Hana was two-years-old. Hana had no recollection of her father. Haruka had been devastated when he passed on. Hotaru and Makoto were able to step in and help out. Michiru was only allowed when Aito went to work. Aito had a slight dislike toward Haruka.
The other little girl was Genevieve, or Ginny because some of the other children couldn't say Genevieve, she was Hotaru's only little girl. She was four-years-old and a very happy child. Hotaru had married an American man. She was seventeen when the two of them had met. She had been terrified about asking permission to date him. Michiru and Setsuna were both okay with Matthew. It was Haruka who went completely nuts because it meant Hotaru wasn't going to be young forever and that she was eventually going to get married and leave the family. She reluctantly agreed because Hotaru wasn't going to date him until Haruka had said a definite yes.
"Kaimu, you can go play at the park if you'd like," Michiru mentioned to her son.
"Papa's mad," Kaimu's lips quivered.
Michiru moved over to the other side of the booth and took Kaimu into her arms. Kaimu always seemed to take things a little bit harder than Hikaru. Kaimu rested his head on his mother. Michiru ran her fingers through his blue hair.
"Listen Kaimu, you need to go outside and enjoy your time. You're not going to be young forever and things may not always be this easy," Michiru explained elegantly. "Your father has long forgotten about the incident. He may be strict, but he rarely holds something against you."
"You promise?" Kaimu asked looking up at his mother with his ocean green eyes.
"I promise." Michiru replied and kissed the top of his forehead. Kaimu slid down and ran outside toward the playground. Michiru smiled, all it took was a little pep talk and he was okay. Michiru was watching her children when Makoto came and sat down across from her.
"Oh, hello," Michiru spoke turning her attention toward Makoto.
"How are you doing?" Makoto asked. This seemed to have been a ritual they had started not long after Hikaru was born. Every Sunday Michiru came in here with her family and ate lunch. Afterwards, Aito would head off to work and Michiru and Makoto would talk. Michiru had been able to find that she could trust Makoto. Aito had limited her time she spent with Haruka and Hotaru, but he had never much thought of Makoto because the two hadn't been close before. Over the years they had developed a bond.
"Aito's strict parenting is starting to get the best of my son. I don't know how much longer I can put up with all this." Michiru replied and stole a glance from her son.
"Have you ever thought of just leaving him?" Makoto asked.
Michiru was quiet for some time. Makoto didn't know if she had shocked her or if it was making her think about doing it. Michiru shrugged, "I have thought about it, but I'm not sure where that'd put the children,"
"Do you think he'd want them?" Makoto questioned.
"He might. He does spend a lot of time with them," Michiru pointed out. "I wish I knew what went through his head. Neither of us wanted to get married to one another."
"If Neo-Queen Serenity had been Queen at the time I'm sure she would've stopped the marriage. She's a sucker when it comes to love," Makoto sighed. "Sometimes I do wonder what it would be like to raise my child in the Palace and I wonder what I've missed out on."
"Do you still visit the Queen?" Michiru asked. "Aito won't allow me too."
"On occasion I do, but I'm usually busy with the business and taking care of my two children. They've never met the Queen though," Makoto answered. "And poor Minako is so busy with Taylor that we barely get to see them."
The two woman turned their attention to the playground and watched their children. A very tall girl, with lanky arms, and golden curls stepped onto the playground and the children swarmed around her. Minako tried to be protective of her daughter, but she let her mother know it was alright. Minako backed off. Michiru and Makoto glanced at one another and nodded. The two of them stood up and walked outside to greet Minako.
The three of them hugged and exchanged a few words with one another. "How is the little pop star doing?"
"Full of energy. I'm exhausted though." Minako laughed. "She has a show inside the palace today."
Makoto lowered her voice, "Does she know?"
Minako shook her head, "And I've asked the Queen if she'd be kind enough not to make anything apparent. Taylor already has a lot going on right now, she doesn't need to know of her mother's past."
Michiru and Makoto agreed.
"Have any of you seen Setsuna, yet?" Minako asked.
Michiru shook her head, "She still hasn't came in contact with us. I wish I knew where she was. I'd like to see her again,"
Taylor was having a blast with the younger children. She enjoyed the company every once in a while. She didn't get it often with being a pop star.
"What's it like to not have any friends?" Morgan Tennoh asked Taylor.
Taylor's eyes opened wider than what they were, "Uhm, I have a few friends." she lied.
"Are you playing today?" Hikaru asked.
Taylor nodded, "In the Palace."
All the children gawked over this. They had never been inside the Palace, but they had dreamt of it before. Minako called her daughter over to her, it was time to get going. Taylor sadly left the accompany of the small children. Sometimes she wished she hadn't of found her voice, then she could be playing with them and having fun like they were.
"Bye Taylor!" Michiru and Makoto called out in unison.
"Bye Michi and Koto!" Taylor waved frantically to them. "Oh, and Ruka!"
Michiru and Makoto turned around, slightly shocked to see Haruka standing behind them waving at the young pop star. "They grow up so fast, don't they?" Haruka laughed at seeing their stunned looks. "Where's that pestering husband of yours, Michiru?"
"Working," Michiru replied.
"Aunty 'Ruka!" Hikaru screamed in delight and ran up toward Haruka. Haruka picked the hyper girl up and threw her into the air.
"For the last time it's 'Ruka-papa,"
"Daddy gets mad when I call you that," Hikaru pointed out. "And I like Aunty 'Ruka!"
Haruka set the little girl down on her feet and patted her head, "You go play before your evil father comes back,"
"Haruka!" Michiru scorned. "You can not say things like that around my children."
"Haruka-papa, you know better than that," a black haired girl said as she walked up toward them. "Remember your manners."
"Oh, alright. I'll try." she grinned at her grown daughter and then turned to Michiru. "When is the evil husband of yours going to invite me and my kids over for dinner?"
"Haruka-Papa!" Hotaru's heel connected with Haruka's foot. Yelping in pain, Haruka yanked her foot back and hoped around on one foot as she attempted to get the other one to stop throbbing.
Much of the younger children begin hoping on one foot and hollering. Michiru, Makoto, and Hotaru couldn't help but laugh. The scene was hilarious. Haruka didn't think it was all that funny. She stomped her hurting foot down on the ground and gave a loud huff. Which, the younger children mimicked.
"Morgan and Hana! This is not a laughing matter!" Haruka barked, but neither of them were able to turn off their giggles. Hana was giggling so hard that she was on the ground rolling around.
"Yes it is Papa!" Morgan said clutching onto her stomach.
"Oh, alright. Maybe just a little," Haruka glared at Hotaru. "See what you've started. It's an epidemic."
"Oh Haruka-Papa," Hotaru shook her head. "Come on Genevieve its time for your nap."
"Do I have to?" the four-year-old asked, but didn't do much whining on the matter. She walked over to her mother and she was lifted off the ground. Hotaru said goodbye to the adults and started walking toward her house. She only lived two minutes away from the park, so it took her no time to get home.
"Mama I'm hungry," Makoto's daughter walked over to her.
"Me too," her son piped up.
Makoto nodded and looked at Haruka and Michiru, "Well, it looks as though that mother side of me is calling. I've got two very hungry children to feed,"
Haruka and Michiru nodded. They waited until Makoto, Isamu, and Lilac were in the building before they gathered up their children. Hikaru and Hana didn't want to leave the playground so it was a bit difficult to get them away.
"Well, I guess I'll see you around," Michiru spoke sadly to Haruka. Haruka wanted to object, but the good side got to her and she nodded in agreement. They went their separate ways with their children in tow. They each lived about fifteen minutes away from the park, but lived in different neighborhoods. Aito had made sure they didn't end up in the same neighborhood as Haruka and her family.