Chapter 3: Can't hide love

"You've been acting very strangely Setsuna." Michiru stated as she mixed her paint. Setsuna continued to read her book uncomfortably posed with her legs thrown over the too small armchair in Michiru's studio at the back of the house. In an effort to do anything to get Minako off her mind Setsuna agreed to pose got the aqua haired woman. But it only served to make her physically uncomfortable while she tired to think of anything other than the woman.

"I don't know what you're talking about Michiru. I'm fine really." Setsuna replied shifting in the chair in the hopes of regaining feeling in her leg.

"Don't move." Michiru scolded. "And you have been acting differently. When we went out the other night you could barely hold a conversation at dinner."

Setsuna felt her cheeks start to burn. "Because that boy Minako was with bored me to tears. I'm amazed you could hold a conversation with him." Setsuna inwardly scolded herself for the comment.

"You seemed very interested in Minako." Michiru replayed with a smirk.

Setsuna hesitated midway through turning her page. A fatal mistake on her part. "Now you're just being silly Michiru. You shouldn't read too much into things like that. Why would you think I have any interest in Minako?"

Michiru smiled and shook her head. "I have to admit you are good at hiding it." She began painting. "But you can't hide it forever. I think you have feelings for that girl." This earned a scoff and Michiru laughed. "Okay, fine keep denying it if you want. But I wouldn't blame you. She's smart, beautiful and she has a way of enchanting even the most guarded of hearts. "

The two stared at one another for a long moment before Michiru went back to painting. "You're wrong." Setsuna said matter of factly.

"Then it must not have occurred to you yet. That's fine; give it another day or so. You'll wake up and realize you are head over heels in love with Minako."

888

Setsuna shot out of bed with a heaving gasp. She looked at the clock on her nightstand. Two in the morning, she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep now. Not that it would be a restful sleep. Even her dreams were invaded by the blonde. She staggered down the hall and into the kitchen.

As she leaned against the counter trying to will herself to drink the glass of water next to her she heard someone coming down the stairs. She quietly hung her head for a moment before lifting her glass. "And why are you up so late?" Huruka asked rubbing her eyes. Setsuna was slightly relieved to see the sleepy blonde instead of Michiru.

"Just getting a glass of water." She said lifting her glass to Huruka. Huruka stared at her for some time. As if she was trying to solve a puzzle. After a long while she nodded.

"Having trouble sleeping lately?" Huruka asked joining her at the counter. Setsuna nodded in reply. "Must be hard. Having to start up a whole life when you never really got the chance to have one. It would make me a little restless too." She took the glass from Setsuna and finished it. "But then again being in love will do that to you as well." With that she handed the glass back and left the room.

Setsuna growled in frustration. She set the glass on the counter and walked out of the house to her car. Those two were crazy for thinking she was in love. She wasn't in love; she just had a lot on her mind. So what if a certain blonde was the bulk of her thoughts? That didn't mean she was in love. It was simply human interest…and minor heart condition she should probably have looked at. It was nothing, nothing at all. She drove for a long while with no particular destination in mind. She just needed to clear her head that was all.

As she drove she saw a figure walking down the empty street. She looked at the clock on her dashboard. It was far too late at night for anyone to be out. But then they could be in trouble….or she would be walking right into a trap. Against her better judgment she slowed down and rolled down her window. "Are you okay?" She asked wearily.

The figure stopped and turned to her. "Fancy meeting you here." Setsuna was surprised to see Minako staring back at her. Fate was such a bitch. "Do you mind giving me a lift home? I don't think I can walk anymore." Minako said with a weak smile, she looked as though she had been out wondering for some time.

"What are you doing walking around at three in the morning?" Setsuna asked as Minako got in.

"My car broke down on the way back home from the temple. And my phone is dead so I had no choice but to walk." Minako said with a sigh. "Why are you in you in your pajamas?" She asked chuckling, when she looked over at the green haired woman.

Setsuna blushed as she glanced down at her apparel. "I couldn't sleep so I decided to go for a drive." Her heart pounded against her chest as if trying to force its way out through her ribs. She was really going to have to get that checked out.

"Well I'm glad you came along. I couldn't stand to walk the rest of the way home. It's funny how a 20 minute drive is like a 5 hour walk." Minako said rubbing her sore legs. Setsuna forced her eyes on the road. For the rest of the drive, she feared if she looked over at the blonde that she would not be a able to turn her head back.

After a few minutes they arrived at Minako's house. The two sat in the car for a moment before Minako turned to her and smiled. "Thanks for your help. Not a lot of people would do this so late at night. I guess that makes you my knight in shining armor."

"I suppose so." Setsuna replied. They stared at one another in silence before Minako leaned over and kissed her cheek. She climbed out of the car and Setsuna sat stunned; it felt as though time had suddenly stopped altogether.

She couldn't lie to herself now. Huruka and Michiru were right she was in love. She slowly came to and started the long drive home. She didn't want to think about the sing-songy way those two would say "I told you so." She didn't even want to think of what she was going to do next.