MINAKO'S THERAPY OF LOVE - CHAPTER 4 - "Ami's Turn To Cry"
"W-w-what are you doing with Naru, Minako?", stammers Ami as she points at Minako.
"I'm just trying to help her get over Nephilite, that's all", answers Minako, "there's no reason for you to get so uptight about it".
"It looks more like you're corrupting the poor girl's morals if you ask me", counters Ami.
"No, Ami, it's OK", says Naru, trying to keep the peace, "I wanted her to help me. I was the one who asked for it".
"Well, Naru, you are going about it the wrong way", says Ami, "sitting down and talking about it with me would be a better alternative. I would be more than happy to lend an ear".
"Would you care to tell me what kind of advice would you give her, Ami?", questions Minako, "maybe she puts her trust in me and that I would never come off like an overly-protective big-sister figure wannabe who wants nothing more than to just shelter her from the real world".
"How dare you say such a thing, Minako?", snaps Ami, "Naru has already been through as it is. I only do this out of concern".
"No, Ami, it's OK, really", says Naru, a bit frightened, "please, Ami, relax".
"Yeah, Ami", adds Minako, "this is supposed to be a relaxing vacation for the three of us. You're acting more possessive than concerned".
Ami rushes over to the bed and grabs Minako by the shoulders. "You have no right to call me possessive", she snaps, "I care for Naru as much as you do".
"Ami, please get your hands off my shoulders", warns an unfazed Minako, "unless you plan to either kiss me or rape me".
Ami tightened her grip on Minako's shoulders. "You never change, Minako", she hissed, at the peak of her anger, "you never take other people's feelings seriously. You think everything is just a big game to you".
Naru wraps her arms around Ami as to pull her off of Minako. "Ami, please, calm down", she pleads, "there's no reason for you to act this way". Then with what strength she could come up with, Naru pulls Ami away from Minako.
Minako inadvertedly grabs Ami's towel, removing it from her body as Naru pulls the opposite way. Both Ami and Naru fell backwards on the bed.
"Well, at least the both of you didn't fall off the bed", says Minako, "are you two OK?"
"I'm just a little shook up, Minako", replies Naru, then turns to Ami, "how about you, Ami. Are you alright?"
Ami didn't respond. Instead, she silently sits up, head facing down, with both hands resting on her lap.
"Are you OK, Ami?", asks Naru, "you really did give us quite a scare".
"Yeah, Ami. What was up with that?", wonders Minako, "first you accuse me of corrupting Naru's morals, then you grab me like you were going to beat me up. Will you please use your knowledge and come up with an explanation?"
"Ami remains silent. She starts to tremble, her hands tightened into closed fists.
"Say something, Ami!", demands Minako, "dammit, answer me! You better start talking or else I'm going to have to literally knock some sense...."
Ami cuts her off by sobbing bitterly, her hands covering her face as to not to let Minako and Naru see her cry.
"What is it, Ami?", wonders Naru, "why are you crying?"
Ami didn't respond. Instead, she continues to cry, with both hands covering her face.
"Are you trying to hide something from us, Ami?", questions Minako, "I think there are some things you need to get out in the open".
"S-s-s-stop it, Minako", sobbed Ami, "just stop".
It looks like there is something you need to let Naru know about", wonders Minako, "why couldn't you just be honest with your feelings toward her? Are you really that scared, Ami?"
"J-J-J-JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!!", blurts Ami, "you just have no idea. You don't have a clue of how I feel".
"It won't be of any help to you if you continue to keep this pent up in you, Ami", says Minako tersely, "and that possessive behavior is only going to make it even worse".
"Minako, please. Don't be so hard on her", pleads Naru, "maybe she's trying to keep something inside that she doesn't want to open".
"I'm trying to uncover the mystery as to why Ami is behaving the way she is lately", answers Minako, "it's not healthy for her to be this way".
"Well, if you have to", says Naru, "let her do it gradually, don't force it out of her, OK?", she points to Ami, "just look at her. it's really heartbreaking to see her this way".
"I guess you're right, Naru", shrugs Minako, "it's going to have to come out eventually".
Ami uncovers her face and grabs Naru's arm. "Naru", says Ami, still weeping, "I never meant to act so possessive towards you. I know that I was the only child in my family. Never had a brother or sister. Just mother and I. The only one I know of with a sibling is Usagi. There are times I wish I had a brother or sister myself, someone I could share things with".
"But the circle of friends", says Naru, "they're sort of like brothers and sisters, in a bonding sort of way".
"But, Naru, it's different with you", counters Ami, "sometimes I see a bit of me within you. Like I can see a mirror reflection of myself".
"Really, Ami?", says a surprised Naru as she takes her fingertips and wipes away Ami's tears.
Ami nods slowly. "When you were very sick that one time, it hurt me very deeply to see you suffering", she continues, "that's when it hit me. I felt that I spent more time with Minako, Rei, Mako, and Usagi, that I never spent enough time with you. I made you feel neglected, unwanted, and ignored".
Naru wraps her arms gently around Ami. "Don't think like that, Ami", assures Naru as she runs her fingernails gently across Ami's bare back, "I've never thought that way. Do you think of me as the sister you wish you had?"
"I do, Naru", whispers Ami, resting her head on Naru's shoulder, "there was something different about you that seperated you from the others. I just don't know how to explain this to you without confusing you, or you taking it the wrong way".
"Do you like Naru more than just a friend, or even a sister figure, Ami?", asks Minako, "it seems you not only want to protect and be with her, but it looks as if there's something much deeper than that".
"It's OK, Ami", assures Naru, "if you can't tell me in words, actions are good enough for me".
Ami places her hand on Naru's cheek and kisses her on the lips. Afterwards she brushes Naru's hair from her face.
"Did you feel offended, Naru?", Ami asked quietly.
Naru touches the tip of Ami's nose with hers. "Do you feel I should, Ami?", she asks, then turns To Minako, "what do you feel about this, Minako? Do you think she could benefit from one of your love sessions?"
"I believe she could", nods Minako, "it looks as if she's slowly opening up to her deep feelings, Naru. She's finally expressing what she's feeling in her heart. I do believe a love therapy session will help her express it even further. I'll let the both of you express each other. I'll just be the moderator, the observer".
Naru turns to Ami. "Well, Ami?", she asks.
Ami smiles as she wipes away one final tear. "I would like to continue this session", she replies, "I could really benefit from this. This will really help me to be a much better person".
Naru turns to Minako. "shall we continue the session, Miss Love Therapist?", she asks.
"Oh, by all means", grins Minako, "if I can help you get over Nephilite, then I can help Ami get over her complex. With your assistance, I believe she'll pull through".
"You have been a very big help, Minako", smiles Naru, "if it wasn't for you, I don't know what I would've done".
"I'm the Love Senshi, after all", smiles Minako, "love is always the answer to everything".
"It sure is, Minako", agrees Naru, then turns to Ami, "let's continue this, Ami".
Ami smiles and kisses Naru on the forehead, "then let the session begin", she nods, as she and Naru both lay on their sides, admiring each other's nude bodies.
TO BE CONCLUDED.................