MINAKO'S THERAPY OF LOVE - CHAPTER 1 - "SOFT AND SOUND"
It all began with a trip to the hot spring in Osaka, just Minako, Ami, Naru, and their mothers. This trip is a sign of appreciation by Naru's mother to Ami and Minako for being there for Naru when she had her gall bladder surgery. This trip would also mark the last time the 3 friends will be sharing the summer together before school begins. But during the vacation, Naru has been acting rather strangely. Something seemed to be bothering her. Also, Ami hasn't been herself lately. She seemed strongly protective toward Naru. It seems only Minako knows what's going on, and plans to make things right again. Her methods have helped her other friends before. One thing is for sure, they don't call her the Senshi of Love for nothing.
The morning after the 3 friends enjoyed a late night soak in the hot spring......
Ami, being the early riser, woke up first. It was around 7:30 in the morning and usually gets up before the alarm goes off. She and her friends, Naru and Minako, will join their mothers for breakfast before going on a shopping trip to the Osaka Buisness District, where there are many shops and speciality stores. She turns to see if her two friends are either still in bed or already in the bath.
Ami notices both Naru and Minako still asleep, but not all she notices; Naru's head is resting in Minako's chest, using her breasts as a pillow. Ami did both of them still had their pajamas on, and Minako's arms were still at her sides, so she ruled out any funny business. Ami saw that Naru was sleeping very soundly, very peacefully. It looked like her best night of sleep in quite some time. She didn't have the heart to wake her, so she let her be until the alarm went off. Ami thinks to herself, "maybe Naru had a very bad dream last night, or maybe she's still trying to get over Nephilite. But that was some time ago. She should move on. I know, I was there. And she went to Minako for comfort, even though she didn't witness what was happening that fateful night. It was Rei, Usagi, and myself who were there. Why didn't she come to me for that shoulder to cry on? I mean it's true Minako and I were there for her during her surgery. But I want to be there for her more". Ami justs nodded and headed for the bath.
Five minutes later, the alarm goes off, and Minako silently but slowly wakes up.She looks up and sees Naru's head resting on her chest, still sleeping. She also notices Naru's soundful sleep. "What's she doing on top of me?", Minako wonders to herself, "did she have another bad dream or something and used me as protection? Maybe I should've wore my Sailor V jammies". Then she notices Naru slowly waking up, gets off of Minako and stretches. "Hey good morning, Naru", she greets.
"Oh. Morning, Minako", replies Naru, still slightly groggy, "how did you sleep?"
"Not too bad", answers Minako, "nothing like a soak before going to bed. How about you? How did you sleep?"
"Very well", replies Naru, "a very good sleep".
"Good to hear", nods Minako, "I noticed that".
Naru then notices what she was just spent the night on top of Minako. "Uh oh", she blushes, "I hope I haven't given you any wrong ideas".
"Nah, No problem", shrugs Minako, "I was wondering what the deal was. I figured you had trouble sleeping or you just had a bad dream. I figured maybe the hot spring water would help you sleep better".
"Yeah, just another bad dream", shrugs Naru, "but I'm alright now".
"Is something on your mind?", wonders Minako, "if there is, do you want to talk about it?"
"No, really. Everything's alright", assures Naru as she pulls Minako out of the bed, "come on, sleepy head, we gotta get cleaned up and meet our mothers for breakfast. We got a big day of shopping today. Ami might still be in the bath".
"Oh, sure, Naru", nods Minako, "whatever you say". Both girls strip into their towels and walk to the bath, where they find Ami lathering up.
"Hey! Morning, Ami", says Minako.
"Morning, Ami", says Naru.
"Oh, hi, guys", says Ami nervously, "sleep well?"
"I slept pretty good", replies Minako, "nothing like a good soak in the hot spring before going to bed".
"I slept pretty well, also", replies Naru, "probably the best sleep I had since my surgery".
"That's nice to hear", nods Ami.
"I'm glad you're still here in the bath, Ami", says Minako, "we can bathe together and head down to breakfast together to meet our moms".
"Yes, I guess it sounds like a good idea", says Ami with a bit of uncertainty in her voice.
"I definately want to check out some of the great specialty shops in Osaka", says Naru, "I could find some really nice clothes for the fall season".
"Yeah, me too", says Ami, "but make sure you be careful and hold on top your purse. Wouldn't want you to be a victim of pickpockets, you know. You may never know the many people that can scam you".
"Are you OK, Ami?", asks Minako, "you sounding like a overly-protective big sister or something. I'm sure Naru will be alright, as long as we stay together".
"Oh, it's nothing like that, honestly", replies Ami, "I'm only looking out for my friends, that's all. Wouldn't want to have a great shopping trip ruined by unexpected mishaps".
"That's understandable, Ami", says Minako, "if Makoto were here, she'd be the perfect bodyguard, and nobody would even mess with our purses".
"Yes, that's true", nods Ami, "so, shall we get cleaned up? We got a long day ahead of us".
"That's right", says Naru, "and thanks for the concern for me".
"No problem at all", nods Ami.
"Something is up here", wonders Minako to herself, "first, I find Naru sleeping on top of me, and now Ami has been acting like Miss Overly Protective Big Sister Figure around Naru. I don't know what's going on, but I'll find out somehow, someway".
TO BE CONTINUED.................................................