The Song of the Cherry Blossoms

Chapter 8

As the weekend finally arrived, Hotaru happily ran across the park's lush grass. While she didn't mind the homework and other activities in school, she still found a sense of freedom in escaping the restraints of that buildings.

Turning back to the bench, Hotaru wave to Haruka and Michiru. She smiled as Haruka waved back and Michiru closed her eyes, resting her head on Haruka's chest. While they were all happy, there was one family member missing.

"Setsuna-mama…" Hotaru whispered as a few tears slid down her cheek.

Hotaru looked up into the sapphire sky. Her mind traveled back to a time where they were smiling and laughter in this very park. Setsuna would sit under the trunk of the tree and she would by her side as she read from her book. Shaking her head, Hotaru sighed and looked down. She should have seen it back then. But perhaps she refused to believe it. She would lie in bed and weep as Michiru and Haruka shouted at each other down the hall. And when Setsuna left, silence spread across the family so much that made living almost too much to bare.

Tears streamed down Hotaru's cheeks as she dropped before her knees. All she wanted was for everything to go back to the way it was. She wanted to see Setsuna's smile, hear her laughter, and feel the warmth of her hugs, and listen to her stories.

'Too caught up in her emotional turmoil, Hotaru failed to see a shadow blocking her sunlight. A whiff of a jasmine scent made Hotaru look up. Her eyes widen when a pair of crimson eyes looked back at her. Soon she was pulled into a big hug.

"Oh, my little one, I am sorry I never met to make you cry," The voice whispered to her.

Blinking away her tears, Hotaru snuggled close, not wanting to let go. For if this was a dream, she wanted to cherish it while it last.

After a few moments, Hotaru pulled away to look deep within a pair of teary crimson eyes.

"Setsuna-mama?" Hotaru asked, seeking confirmation.

"Yes, little one, I'm back," Setsuna said.

A huge smile spread cross Hotaru's lips as she hugged her again.

"I'm so happy," Hotaru beamed.

As the two of them finally pulled away from each other, she noticed a smiling Usagi standing beside Setsuna.

"Thank you," Hotaru said.

Usagi merely nodded.

Setsuna took a deep breath as her eyes traveled over to a bench nearby. She locked eyes with Haruka, who looked right back at her. Sensing the shift in her girlfriends' posture, Michiru opened her eyes and looked toward Hotaru to see Setsuna. Standing to her feet she hugged on Haruka who did the same.

Swallowing hard Setsuna, her legs get heavy with each step Haruka and Michiru made towards her. As beats of sweat formed cross her forehead, she turned to Usagi and Hotaru. They nodded Setsuna sighed before turning around. Now she stood within inches of both Michiru and Haruka. The three of them stood there, staring at each other. Neither of them knew what or where to start.

"I shouldn't have said those things that night I was angry, and stupid but I just kept my mouth shut you wouldn't have left," Haruka said.

"If you had kept your mouth shut, your anger would have consumed you," Setsuna said.

"I hurt you I know I did I saw it in your eyes."

"Yes, you did, but I was sad long before that argument."

"I'm sorry for what I said."

"I forgive you,"

Tears trickle down Setsuna and Haruka eyes the barrier between them what's gone. With smiles across their lips now, both women hugged one another as tears of joy streamed down their cheeks. Makara joined in look around tears as the three women in Hotaru life finally could forgive one another.

Hotaru looked upon this site before her. Tears sprang forth as she turned to Usagi and hugged her with the blond off guard.

Thank you for everything Hotaru said.

"You are welcome, young one," Usagi replied.

Pulling away from Usagi, Hotaru ran over and joined the others in a massive hug.

Standing back with a gigantic smile across her lips, Usagi continued watching the mixture of happiness and peace. A pink glow slowly grew what was the color of the cherry blossoms she always admired. This was a first in all her years she had never witnessed such a thing in any of her completed wishes.

Holding up her hand, Usagi's smile disappeared, for she could look through her hand. It's then that a shiver washed over her entire body. It was the autumn chill breezing though. Laying her hand over heart, tears sprang from her eyes. Taking a step back, a single orange leaf landed in her hand. Wiping away her tears, Usagi continued to watch Setsuna, Hotaru, Haruka and Michiru relish in their happiness.

Usagi wished she could stay a little long. Setsuna and her have finally connected again she wanted to spend a little more time by her side, but if this is all the time she has with her, then so be it. Oh, how unfair life can be, Usagi thought.

"Setsuna... I'm sorry," Usagi whispered before walking away within in moments she disappeared.

Pulling away from everyone, Setsuna looked around, but Usagi was nowhere in sight. Looking down on the grass, she noticed a few orange, brown, and yellow leaves. Her heart that once heald so much joy now ached as tears filled her eyes.

"No, she can't leave... not yet."

Noticing her tears, Haruka reached out and touched her friend's shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Haruka asked.

"Um... I have to go. I'll be back, I promise," Setsuna said, before running away.

With tears trickling down her cheeks, Setsuna kept running, even as her legs stung and ached. She refused to stop, for if she did Usagi would be gone. But Perhaps she was, Setsuna thought, but she shook her head. She couldn't think like that she had to keep going, for she needed to see Usagi at one last time.

"Usagi... please still be here."