Haruka felt something hit her before she had saw it or heard the giggles. Glaring around she saw the culprit, a large purple and white rubber ball.

"hmm….I wonder who threw this?" Haruka wondered aloud, pretending not to hear the giggles coming from the corner of the garage as she looked around, picking up the toy.

"Unless it was a ghost? No, I'm sure a ghost would try to be scarier." she mussed, trying to hide her own smile as she heard the child's laughter.

She had been down since the previous day of going to the funeral home with Setsuna so Haruka was grateful that the little girl was at least being playful again.

"Maybe if I throw it it'll go back to where it came?" Haruka wondered aloud, gently tossing it in the direction of the child, mocking a surprised expression.

"So it was you!"

She laughed, scooping the child up into her arms before saying playfully "what should I do with you?"

Kissing the child's forehead she sat her down, ruffling her hair.

"Give me a minute to finish with the spark plugs and then we'll play together, alright?" Haruka stated, kneeling down in front of the child who nodded.

"Okay, go play with Michiru for a while. I'll be done in a few minutes."

Michiru was working in a flower bed when Hotaru walked over to her, standing there timidly until the aqua haired beauty looked up.

"What's wrong?" she asked, earning a sheepish look.

"Can we play? Just until Haruka get's done?" Hotaru asked in a low voice, earning a chuckle from Michiru.

"Why are you so scared to ask me that? I'm not that scary am I?" Michiru stated, smiling slightly as she stood up, removing her gardening gloves.

"What do you want to play?" she added, watching as the child's expression went from nervous to overjoyed.

"What? Didn't you think i would, you little goof!" Michiru laughed, taking a step toward her, only to have the child run away, laughing.

Haruka stood watching them, trying to keep from laughing at how her partner interacted with the child.

"Oi! You two look like you've been playing football." she laughed.

Both of them were covered in grass stains and dirt.

"Oh be quiet Haruka," Michiru retorted, earning a smirk from the blonde who responded with

"I'm just saying Mich."

Michiru arched a brow at her lover before leaning down and whispering something to Hotaru.

"Mich?" she repeated as Hotaru disappeared around the back of the house.

"What?" Haruka repeated, knowing that her lover hated the nickname.

"You know what!" Michiru retorted though it was obvious that she wasn't really angry at the taller girl.

"Do not!" Haruka denied, however, her words were cut short by a blast of cold water.

Michiru couldn't help but laugh at the expression on Haruka's face.

"You put her up to this you…." Haruka growled out, glaring at a giggling Hotaru before adding "That's it, wait until I get my hands on that hose! You two will pay for this!"

Setsuna watched them from inside the kitchen window, smiling as she watched them. She had been worried about Hotaru since the girl had been down lately so seeing that she was laughing and playing now relieved her somewhat.

Haruka, who noticed that Setsuna was watching them and sprayed the window, laughing as the older woman took an instinctive step back.

"You brat!" Setsuna called, shaking her head in amusement at the tomboy.

Sometimes I feel like Hotaru's not the only little kid around here.

She thought in amusement.


I want to thank everyone who has reviewed, liked or followed this story. It means a lot.