A/N: Sorry for the delay! Our usual publish day is Thursday - Thanksgiving, and it was Sunday before I even realized we had missed our date. This story will be coming to a close soon.. but we have plans in the works for the second. Hope you enjoyed reading as much as we did writing!

Ami walked into the dressing area. She found Hotaru fully-dressed and letting out a frustrated huff as she smacked a non-responsive hair dryer. Ami smiled good-naturedly, taking it from her hands. "The pre-installed ones here are finicky."

With a practiced flick and well-placed tap, the item sprung to life. She handed it back to the girl who gave her an appreciative look. With a blush, the bluenette tightened the towel around herself and disappeared around the corner to get dressed herself.

With a huff, her duffel bag landed on the bench with a thump. I need to keep my distance from her...

She shook her head, pulling on her clothes quickly as the blush deepened on her cheeks and the thoughts danced through her head. It's just a thing girls do! Mina and Usa shower together all the time, there's nothing wrong with it! It is just me being socially awkward... and over-thinking... and-... but geez, why did she have to wear such a revealing bikini?! ...not that she had or lacked anything to be ashamed of... in fact, she's pretty well built for her age... her... physical age...

After straightening her clothes one last time, she threw her bag over her shoulder with a finalizing breath. The genius walked around the lockers and scanned the dressing room for the young beauty, but found her nowhere. Slightly confused, Ami returned to the hall. After skirting the pool, she spotted the girl who busied herself watching the other occupants splashing noisily through the cool water.

Ami forced a casual smile to her features as she approached her, noting the slightly dark look held in the other girl's eyes.
"So, food now? Where did you wanna go?"

The gloom dissolved, and she was greeted with a much more familiar smile, the glitter returning to Hotaru's eyes.
"It's a secret."

Without another word, the girl took Ami's hand into her own and she had no choice but to follow her lead. As soon the hold on her loosened, Ami withdrew her hand and tucked it underneath the strap of her bag. She knew it was a thing that all people occasionally did, not just dating couples, but it had never been something she had done herself or had felt compelled to sustain when initiated by others. Does she know how much she plays with me? She let out a frustrated sigh, which Hotaru caught, casting her a worried look. "You okay?"

Ami shook her head. You read too much into her actions. She probably doesn't even realize the things she does - and their effects on you... With another quick shake of her head, she banished the thought. "Hm. School's been rough lately."

The girl next to her frowned. "It is? You don't seem strained by it."
"I don't?"

"...well, earlier-... in the pool, you seemed so much at ease, relaxed. I liked that. It looks good on you."

The rest of their walk was mostly quiet, but that's what she liked about Hotaru. It wasn't an awkward silence, like the ones the other girls usually tried to fill with meaningless banter and gossip. With Hotaru, it was a calm understanding, a quiet; one she didn't necessarily feel the need to fill. Their light conversation was easy, unforced, weightless and before she realized it Hotaru was pulling light laughter out of her, her heavy thoughts flitting away into the twilight.

When they turned into a plaza, Ami smiled, her eyes falling onto an outdoor soba-snack bar that already had a filling line. "You know... I knew there was a plaza nearby... I didn't know it was this close to where I swim."

Hotaru smiled, unshouldering her bag and handing it to Ami. "Yeah, I figured as much. Go grab a seat over there, I'll bring our food." Ami caught the bag, blinking and unaware as to where the girl had disappeared off to so quickly. With a shrug, she quickly sat down at one of the open seats on the far end. It was a workday evening, and the bar was rapidly filling up for dinnertime rush.

Hotaru found her way back quickly enough, balancing two huge bowls before her as she passed some business men about to enjoy their knocking-off time. As soon she set the steaming bowls down in front of Ami, the inviting scents began to fill her senses with delight.

"How did you know?"

"It wasn't hard to guess, after our last place. I remembered my parents bringing me here at some point, and I figured you'd appreciate it. You know, open air, hot food. What's not to love?"

Ami contently swallowed before grinning with satisfaction.
"You got me on this one... So... speaking of which. Meeting me, I mean.. How exactly did you find me?"

"Well, after you didn't pick up your cell, I tried land-line. Your mother answered. She told me where I could find you."

Ami hoped she couldn't see the sweat-drop that was forming on her forehead. Geez, mom! Did you even fax the girl a map with the exact directions or what?! Wait, probably.

She shook the thought from her head, pushing on. "Ah.. well then. That explains that. What did you want to talk to me about?"

Hotaru shrugged. "I forgot."

"Have you read Tolkien? His stuff is HUGE. I thought it'd be a good practice for my English..."

Ami tilted her head, eyes squinting in thought as she scanned the treeline. "Hnnn.. I didn't get through the trilogy. I stopped someways into the first. I read the Hobbit but it just.. didn't stay with me. I know he was going for all this amazing imagery, but it was just... kinda lost on me."

Hotaru nodded in assent as she followed beside her in step. They had finished their meal in relative peace, and finding the weather too nice to ignore, now meandered peacefully through the park. "It's a relief to hear I'm not the only one. I liked the Hobbit, but the trilogy was so dry and I couldn't get through the first one." Hotaru shook her head with a laugh, and eyes falling upon her target, she quickened her pace. "..-I knew it was around here somewhere, come on!"

Ami had no choice but to follow blindly. To her surprise, Hotaru stopped just as abruptly, and Ami barrelled into her back. The impact sent them both stumbling forward a couple steps, but Hotaru simply hopped another step forward and let her eyes wash quickly over the menu in front of them. "Chocolate, please."

Ami let out a huff of a breath. "All that for ice cream?"

Hotaru giggled, watching excitedly as quick hands loaded the cone. "Of course, for ice cream. Why wouldn't I run for ice cream?"

"Isn't it a little chilly for it?"

Hotaru smiled back, as she took the proffered cone and gladly tasted it with an avid lick. "That's the best time for it. Don't just stand there, tell him what kind you're having so I can pay the man."

"Ahh, we-err.." Debating denying the offer, her decision was made for her when Hotaru produced some coins from her pocket and slid them across the counter. She shrugged. "Well, green tea, then."

She tried to shoot the girl a scolding look, but couldn't quite manage it as she took in the girl happily licking at the treat, bouncing in delight from the sugary pleasure. "I didn't know you had a sweet tooth."

"Maybe Chibi-Usa rubbed off on me somewhat, but I don't really mind. I really hadn't tried half of the things before I met her. Besides, it's a nice treat. And everyone needs a treat now and then." She nodded in example to the cone now being handed over to Ami.

With a shrug, Ami assented and gave her own ice cream a try.
"Well, I guess you got me there... too."

Hotaru couldn't help smiling, wrapping her in light hug before returning to their previous path.
"And I got a smile, too. I think you need to keep me around for that, Ami."

Having no retort for this, she only followed idly in her path as they worked on their treats silently.
"Hey, it's getting late. Isn't your papa going to be looking for you?"

"Nah. It's concert season. Mom and Papa will be out all night at a concert, and Puu will disappear into her library for days. I still haven't figured out if she needs to sleep or not."

Ami popped the end piece of her cone into her mouth, effectively hiding the smile that spread over her features upon a certain stray thought...
I can keep you to my self a bit longer then...

Their topics floated here and there as their feet wandered on, and Ami loved it.

"There."

"Hm?" Ami raised her eyes in surprise to the sudden disturbance, as she followed the swash of Hotaru's finger against the dark sky. "The gazebo?"

Hotaru nodded with a smile as they headed in its direction. She noted, as they clambered up the steps under the roof, that it would give them perfect privacy in the dark as well. She took a seat in the secluded shelter and Hotaru settled in next to her.

She turned to say something as the girl got comfortable, but words left her. Instead, her jaw dropped when she was met with the view of Hotaru popping the last bit of cone into her mouth and dragging a long, slow tongue up a digit before doing the same to the next. Luckily, the girl was so focused on her task that she didn't see her stare. Ami swallowed, shaking her head to clear the hormones racing through her head.

As if on cue, the girl turned to her.
"Pretty out, today."

Her eyes followed the gaze of Hotaru's to the placid lake before them. Streaks of light of the low hanging, orange sun were dancing along its surface, glittering and gleaming at them. A cool breeze rippled the surface slightly. It was placid here and she felt she could lose herself over the peaceful sight, the dewy scent carried over by the wind and the soft sound of the small waves against the lake's shore, and somehow it seemed that Hotaru was happy to follow her there. She didn't know how much time passed between them in silence, enjoying the solace and the peace that had settled there. When she felt a soft weight settle against her shoulder, she wrapped a hand around the warm body protectively.

Eventually, it was Hotaru that broke silence.
"Which do you prefer, when you have the choice? Lake or pool?"

She pulled her gaze away to see the mauve eyes glittering at her curiously. She was mid-motion before she realized she had graced one of the soft cheeks with her finger, tucking a stray strand behind ear. The girl didn't seem to mind at all, so she let her finger lay against the smooth cheek for a moment as she studied the girls' eyes. She blinked, suddenly aware of their close proximity. She pulled her head back slightly, but Hotaru placed a gentle hand on Ami's neck, stopping her retreat.

She paused, the thoughts swirling through her head. A stunned silence sat between them as Ami tried to wrap her head around the delicate situation and Hotaru waited, patiently, a breath's pace between them, their bodies so close she could feel the warmth of her. When words finally did fall from her mouth, they were blunt, brash even in her own ears, but her spinning mind allowed no room for tact.

"Aren't you jailbait?!"

Wordlessly, an eloquent eyebrow arched and Hotaru leaned back slightly. Otherwise, her look remained patient, untroubled.

"I-I -I just.. I'm not sure about this. I mean, sometimes you act like you're actually, genuinely interested in me. But then I see you with the others, and I'm just your teammate. You're supposed to be my student. This is completely, totally, wholly inappropriate, IF there even IS anything. But maybe there isn't anything at all! Maybe, you're just playing with me, and I'm misreading, and maybe you're getting carried away, but it's not like I even know how to READ these things in the first place. I have no clue what's going on in that sharp little head of yours- that doesn't need my tutoring, by the way. And I'd like to know, but then I remember, I don't even know how OLD you are. How old are you, really, and would that make things any better? Wouldn't that make things worse? Even if you DID tell me your age, would that change my feelings? I can't stand how I can't stop thinking about you, and I can't stand that I can't figure you out! I'm a friggin' genius, but I don't get you! There's no equation to this, no logic, no formula, any theory or reason."

She paused, gasping for air. Her ears were ringing, and she felt like she was on the edge of panic... but it was too late for that. Now that she was here, she felt like she had to know the truth. "Is this just a misunderstanding? This must be all in my head... right? But then again, I think you are giving me all these signs, which I am really bad at reading to begin with and I-"

Her first instinct was to pull away, but the lips were soft against her own. To her own surprise, there was not the slightest moment of shock; everything else around her and all her thoughts and words immediately blurred away. Her entire world zoomed in on the touch. The scent and taste, sweet and intoxicating. It was short, superficial and light. But breathtaking, oscillating on Ami's lips, the warmth of the tentative contact bathing her senses and fogging her mind. And Ami wanted more of it.

When Hotaru began to pull away, Ami's head longingly followed, her hand moving of it's own accord, wrapping itself gently around Hotaru's neck and stopping her retreat.

They caught eyes and time froze around them for a long moment. For the first time, it was Hotaru that seemed insecure, cautious. The warm light glittered in those endlessly deep, mauve eyes before Ami and outside of their shared space, she could hear the soft, steady rush of water against the bay. A cool breeze swept over them, as it nipped at their flushed skin of cheeks. Ami's eyes dropped to Hotaru's lips, so close to her, so tempting, desirable... A hint of a smile played at the corner of Hotaru's lips and disappeared again. Ami pulled her gaze back up to meet Hotaru's, an unspoken question lingering between them. A bare earnesty glowed back at her through the serene eyes, an honesty there that she hadn't seen before. Ami felt herself captivated, loosing herself in the beauty and pureness of it, wanting to drown within it. Gradually, she felt herself physically drawn back, closing the distance again. With the wonderful image of warm, dark purple eyes gazing gently back at her through half-closed eyelids, she closed the bothersome distance between them and let her own eyes fall shut, enjoying the feeling of the soft silk that was Hotaru's hair as she tangled her fingers within the feathery locks.

This time, the contact was more confident, more demanding. She could feel the alluring warmth, almost taste the heat beneath the tender, smooth skin upon her own. And desire washed over her, a desire she had never experienced before, almost blinding her. Ami felt herself squeezing her eyes shut against the uncontrollable demand building up within her. And then she felt cool, slender fingers gently travel along her neck and cheekbone, coming to rest against her cheek, soothing her. A light nibble on her lower lip, and she felt herself melt. The bright white curtain within her mind parted and the light became warm, consoling and comforting. She took in a shaky breath, and was met again with the sweet, warm waft of Hotaru's scent. She pulled her lips away for a split of a second, licking her lips and indulging in the taste, before returning anxiously for more, parting her lips to capture the raven's. She inhaled again, this time seizing the sensation; discerning the scent of washed out chlorine and the fragrance of her own shampoo from Hotaru's hair, the vague flavor of chocolate from her lips and the indefinable redolence of the girl's flushed skin. An unassertive touch tickled the corner of her mouth, and before she could quite understand the feel, the tip of her own tongue glided caressing across Hotaru's smooth upper lip until it crossed paths with the other girl's. Tentatively their tongues touched, again and with growing curiosity they slid against each other, testing and tasting the sensation. Ami's tongue pulled back, her lips nibbled pleasurably on Hotaru's, lightly sucking, teeth nipping wistfully on them, until she felt the other girl warily lick her lips, asking for permission. Ami's lips granted, allowing the other access, searching gently and fondly brushing her tongue against Hotaru's. The deepened kiss was sensual, exciting, thrilling. Their hot breaths mixed, the scents saturated her senses, the warmth ensheathed her, the contact sent a series of hot flashes down her spine, accumulating, becoming unbearable.

She wanted to stay here forever; to bathe and be baptized in this feeling. She had never lost herself so completely or deeply before. If she stayed here forever, she would drown in it. An almost disturbingly pleasant notion... She pulled back slightly, and to her relief and crushing disappointment Hotaru's mouth did not follow her. She pulled in the intoxicating scent of her one last time - the entrancing, dumbfounding, addicting scent of it - and pulled away. For a long moment, she breathed deeply, listening to the heartbeat of Hotaru's pulse against her own, the warm breath of it against her cheek, the feel of the raven's warm flesh beneath her hands. If she opened her eyes, would it be gone? Was this just some long lost, horribly wonderful dream?

Ami blinked anxiously, the world slowly swimming into view with a smiling Hotaru at the center of it. - Well, reality wasn't such a let-down after all.
"W-.. wow. What.. just happened?"

A pause, as Hotaru's gaze drifted towards the darkened sky and she thoughtfully pulled a lip between her teeth.
"Ah, well. That would be a kiss. A good one, if I do say so myself.. We should do it again sometime... ..-Look, Venus is out tonight! We have a guardian."

Ami flinched, pulling her gaze behind her. A warm hand enveloped her own and she felt the weight of a head relax against her shoulder. She turned back to the girl, ready to pull away, but realized Hotaru's gaze was still in the sky. She relaxed with a sigh, turning her own head to the canopy as well as the girl settled more comfortably against her.

"Yeah.. she's been bright this month..."

A giggle escaped the girl next to her.
"Just like the real Venus, huh? Is it me, or has she been even more excitable than usual lately?"

The laughter they shared was like a cool breath of air, and Ami relaxed into it. They spoke in murmurs and breaths, watching as the sky darkened before them and listening to the gentle sounds of the lake and wind around them. Eventually, a shiver ran through Hotaru and Ami instinctively pulled her closer, wrapping a warm arm around her.

With a sigh, Hotaru shivered slightly and burrowed deeper in to Ami's form.
"I don't wanna go..."

Relenting to the smaller form, Ami wrapped her in a full hug, running her palms along cool arms in an attempt to warm them. She closed her eyes against the sky, laying her chin deflatedly on Hotaru's head as she spoke. "Mmmm. It's a school-night. Did you finish your homework."

It was a statement more than a question, and Hotaru let out a huff.
"Yes, yes, of course I finished my homework. Wouldn't want Papa thinking your lessons were going to waste, now would we?"

With a smirk, they pulled away from each other reluctantly, and Hotaru stood with a stretch. Ami sighed, watching the girl stretch before speaking.
"Your papa... is going to kill me."

Hotaru snickered, grabbing a hand and pulling her up.
"Ignorance is bliss, don't you think?"

Ami rolled her eyes in answer, but found the smiling figure pulling her along too enjoyable to be worried about such uncomfortable topics. With a shrug, Hotaru led them both along the path to the nearest bus station. A warm hand slipped under her jacket and Ami leaned into it, casually draping her arm across Hotaru's shoulders.

"So, what other tricks do you have up your sleeve for my classes?"

"Tricks? You can't get by on just tricks, you know."

A giggle in response, and the hand at Ami's back slid further until it wrapped around her waist and the lithe figure leaned slightly into her as they walked.
"Oh, come on. I like Sensei's lectures, and he likes my input. But now he looks for me and I gotta lay low."

A throaty chuckle escaped Ami and she tucked her free hand into pocket while giving Hotaru's shoulder a gentle squeeze with the other, enjoying the moment.
"Just write a story or something. He'll assume you're taking notes. And don't make eye contact. If you do, it's all over. And if you've made that much of an impression, it means you've got a free ride for the next couple of classes, so ride that out."

A pause, as the girl processed this.
"...Write a story?"

"Yeah, I once wrote a whole fanfic in a couple of my classes. Star Trek, of course."

Immediately she felt the body next to her stiffen in excitement.
"You write fanfiction? Really?"

Ami was already shaking her head in refusal, but she found it hard to deny the girl.

"Oh, you HAVE to let me read it! Please? Please? Pretty please? Pretty, pretty please? Pret-"

"Fine, fine, yes, okay!"

Ami tried to shoot the girl a dirty look but couldn't manage to keep a straight face, instead wrapped her in a half-hug as they walked and grinned.
"Yes. You can read it. But you have to hold your grades up a little better for me. I know how you feel trying to blend in, but you could hurt your overall grades. That comes back at you later, you know. I am not going to hear it, when you can't get into your college choice, because you slacked off too much."

Hotaru rolled her eyes with a groan, pausing in her steps.
"Hai, Sensei Mizuno."

A mutual pause passed between them as they both came to the same conclusion, their eyes settling on the bus stop ahead of them. A group of late workers milled quietly, waiting for the late bus.

With a sigh, Hotaru pointed down the sidewalk, opposite her bus stop.
"You have to go that way."

Ami nodded, then turned her eyes back to the small group of people waiting idly in the cold, jutting her chin in their direction as she spoke.
"Yeah. And you're there."

A quick moment of silence passed between them. Without warning, Hotaru laid a hand on Ami's stomach and guidingly pushed, leading them both off the sidewalk, into the shadow of a tree. Hotaru leaned against Ami, her hands lingering around the bluenette's waist and her eyes following idle patterns across her shoulders.
"Soooo... I really enjoyed today."

A lingering pause shadowed Ami's words before she replied.
"Yeah, I did too. I had a really good time."

"So... you have plans this weekend?"

"No.. not really?"

"..You wanna do this again sometime?"

Ami nodded, and after a moment's hesitation dropped a quick peck to Hotaru's cheek. Over the familiar sound of bus brakes, she heard a delighted giggle. She felt Hotaru's hands on her waist tighten and the girl leaned forward, tiptoeing. A hushed whisper wafted to her ear that only she could hear.
"Thanks for the date, Ames."

And then, the precious warmth of the body beside her was gone, the girl was bouncing away and Ami was left to watch her retreating figure in confusion. She bounded up the steps in hops and springs, the bus door closing noisily behind her with a clack. The smiling face appeared in the window as the bus drove off. Ami gave one final wave as the engine roared loudly, and then she was left alone in the solitude of the night.

With a sigh, she pushed off the tree, rolling shoulders as she replayed the day in her head. A short chuckle escaped her, falling to deaf ears as she stood alone on the darkened sidewalk. "Huh. I have no idea what I'm doing."

A/N: "Oh, fear that arched eyebrow. Hotaru's learned that move from her Michi-mama. It means, 'tell me what you REALLY think.' Hopefully, Ami will learn to not take the bait in time. Ruka's so hot-headed, she falls for it every time."
~Neverknew

"...I bet, Hotaru dedicated an entire section in her diary to the "Mysteries around Pu-mama"..."
~Kue