A/N:  This is a long chapter in three parts.  It's meant to show how things have changed since they were kids, how they deal with constantly fighting, and how it affects the relationships around them, as well as give some background.  While chapter one you see the sisters at their worst, hopefully this chapter will provide some insight to them, as well as introduce some original characters (and Robyn- I know it's spelled Robin in the show, but I like it with the 'y', it's also the spelling for one of my good friends, and I fashioned the teenage Robyn after her, so that's why I changed it) The plot will pick up soon.  I promise.

Chapter Two: After the Fight

After the fight Bubbles returned to cheerleading only to find that it was time to finish, much to her annoyance.  She and her teammates, Sara, Megan and Jennifer joined Robyn Snyder at a quaint coffee shop nearby.  The fight with her sisters and the fact her practice was interrupted by the monster had Bubbles in a sour mood, and it was evident.

"What's wrong Bubbles?" Robyn asked with concern. 

Sara shrugged, "She's just pissed off at her sisters again."

"Not only that, but I missed the last half of cheerleading," she fumed, "I am so tired of my life constantly being interrupted, just because some crummy monster decides to show it's ugly head."

Robyn nodded with sympathy, "It must get annoying.  At least it doesn't happen very often anymore."

"Yeah, but when it does, it's always at the most inconvenient times," Bubbles folded her arms and sighed.

"I'll say," Jennifer nodded, "We missed you today."

Bubbles smiled, "Thanks.  Oh, and we would've been done quickly, but as always, Blossom and Buttercup had to get in another fight!" Her face turned sour once more.

"Again!" Robyn sighed.  She couldn't say she was surprised.  They lived next door to her and were her best friends.  Robyn was the only mutual friend of the three so she always knew when they were fighting, which over the past year was constantly.  Robyn was getting fed up.

"Yeah," Bubbles huffed, "Buttercup had to go on this rampage, calling Blossom a dictator and me a snob.  Me! Of all people!"

"Yeah well, Buttercup's a bitch," Sara shrugged, "She's the snob if you ask me.  It's no wonder she's a loser, with her tough, mad at the world act."

"And Blossom is such a control freak," Megan added, "We're on the grad committee together, and I don't see how you can live with either one of them Bubbles.  You're so much better than them."

Bubbles nodded, they were right about her sisters, but at the same time were very wrong.  It wasn't always like that.  What changed?

"Well," Robyn spoke up in their defense, "Blossom just wants things done well and done right.  What's wrong with that?  As for Buttercup… well you know how she's been since junior high.  And can you blame her?"

"Oh please!" Jennifer exclaimed, "What happened to Buttercup in junior high, she only brought on herself with her inflated ego.  That was five years ago.  She should get over it."

"I imagine that it's easier said than done" Robyn said quietly, "Her friends betrayed her, she was publicly humiliated by the people she trusted.  That's not something one can just get over…"

"And Blossom, she is a control freak.  I mean, her way isn't always the best way.  Of course she's always been like that, bossy.   Right Bubbles?" Jennifer nudged Bubbles, ignoring Robyn completely.

"Well, she has always been the leader of the Powerpuff Girls," Bubbles shrugged, still red with anger, "But yeah, I don't see why we always have to follow her plans.  We're so good at what we do, would it kill us if we answered a call one at a time and take turns?  At least then I'd only have to have my life interrupted at least once a month!  Of course Blossom always says no.  'It's too dangerous' she says.  No it's not!  We've become unbeatable.  Everyone says so. Even the major villains agreed- that's why they've all left!  So I don't see what the big deal is, why can't we do it that way?  I mean, seriously! We haven't felt the slightest injury since… I don't remember the last time we felt threatened!"

Robyn listened to her rant; she was tired of hearing it, since it hardly changed.  Looking over at Bubbles' friends, she was the only one really paying any attention.  Robyn rolled her eyes at them and continued to listen to Bubbles.

"And I don't see why Buttercup has to be so… stubborn!  She's the one who always makes saving the day take so much more time than it has to.  Always wants to make it 'fun'.  If she wants to have fun, then she should do it on her own time!  But then she never does.  She's so miserable!  She hardly ever leaves her room, unless it's to just disappear for a few hours!" Bubbles fumed.

"You know, you three need to have a serious talk.  You need to tell them how you feel," Robyn suggested.

"And then we'd just have another fight!  That's how it always goes," Bubbles raved with frustration, "No one listens to me."

"You three used to be so close.  It's disgusting to see how much you've all changed for the worse since your stupid feud started.  Do you honestly wish to fight forever?  You need to have a talk with them anyway.  It's important that you do," Robyn pleaded.  "You need to listen to each other."

"I've tried!" Bubbles waved her arms, "It always ends with harsh words being exchanged!  Neither Blossom, nor Buttercup are willing to listen to what I have to say!"

Robyn looked away in defeat, frustrated.  She didn't get it.  She needed to hear them out too.  They all did.

"That's because Buttercup's a bitch and Blossom's a control freak.  It's that simple," Jennifer said in a matter of fact tone.

"Yeah!" Megan agreed. "Oh!  Did you guys see what Buttercup was wearing today?"

"I know!  What a loser!" Sara laughed.  Bubbles looked away, still fuming, but deep in thought.

Robyn had enough.  "Excuse me," she sighed, getting up and storming off."

"What's her problem?" Megan frowned.

"Who know?" Sara replied.

"Who cares?" Jennifer shrugged.

Bubbles nodded quietly, giving a small, defeated smile.  She knew.  Robyn liked Blossom and Buttercup.  The four of them had been friends forever.  It must suck for Robyn, having to endure all of the gossiping about them, and be ignored in the process.  Bubbles sighed as her friends continued to gossip.  While she was still mad at her sisters, Robyn was right.  They did need to have a talk.  If only they could find a moment when all three of them were cooled off.

*****

Blossom rejoined her boyfriend Greg Morris and moved their studying to his house.  Blossom tapped furiously at her laptop, typing out her English essay.  Next to her Greg was working on his own paper, but stopped to watch Blossom. He had been watching her for a few minutes, frantically typing, with a cross expression on her face.  Her eyes were watery and her lower lip was quivering.  Finally Greg said, "Is everything OK Bloss?"

"Fine," Blossom replied quickly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," was her sharp response.

"OK, because you've just typed the same sentence twice," he said, pointing to her screen, "See?"

Blossom rolled her eyes and madly pressed delete for every letter in the repeated sentence.  Before she could finish deleting Greg grabbed her wrist, and before she could protest he said, "Sweetie, honey!  Relax.  Honestly at the rate you're going, you're gonna break your keyboard.  I'm surprised you haven't already considering your strength and the way you've been pounding those keys.  Give the poor thing a break, what did that laptop do to you anyway?"

Blossom's nostrils were flaring.  She looked at him, exasperated.  "Everything is fine!"

"You need to calm down," Greg said plainly.

"What do you think I'm trying to do?" Blossom motioned to her English paper.

Greg grinned, "Obviously.  But it's not working now is it?  You need to take a bit of a break."  He put his arm around her, "C'mon, tell me all about it."  He gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

"Oh you know," Blossom sighed, "The usual."

"Not another fight with your sisters…"

"Yes.  Honestly, Buttercup is impossible!  She has no respect for anything!" Blossom sighed.

"What was it about this time?"

"The usual.  She never listens to what I say!  Every time a stupid monster decides to show up, she always questions my leadership.  If she'd just do as I say, we could be done so much faster!" Blossom fumed.

Greg nodded, "Well baby, don't you think maybe you're taking the job a bit too seriously?"

"What do you mean?"

"Crimefighting, leading the Powerpuff Girls.  You three have been doing this what?  Ten years now?"

"Twelve."

"See? You've done this all your lives, you're all so strong and you know all the moves like the back of your pretty little hand, they don't need a boss anymore.  They need a promotion."

Blossom gave an indignant "HA!"

"You don't understand…"

"I can just imagine Buttercup as leader.  What a mess that would be!  She'd ruin everything, going in without any thought of the consequences," Blossom gave a shrill laugh.

"That's not what I meant," Greg said, "if you'd just let me finish…"

"Fine," Blossom nodded, "I'm sorry.  Continue."

"It's been proven time and time again that you three are unbeatable, no matter what you do.  You all could single-handedly defeat pretty much any monster that comes your way.  You've all been doing this for so long now that, don't take this the wrong way, but maybe they resent having you for a leader when they both know they can handle it themselves," Greg said.  "You're all so good that, maybe they no longer need a leader."

Blossom shot him a dirty look, "Are you saying they don't need me anymore?"

"No, that's not it at all but…" Greg paused, "maybe you should tackle your next foe as equals.  I'm sure Buttercup would be more responsive and less antagonistic if you listen to her ideas, not as a leader, but as a sister."

"So you're saying the reason we don't get along is my fault?" Blossom raised her voice sounding like a child.

"No!" Greg raised his arms in defense and messed his brown hair a bit, "That's not what I'm saying at all, but sometimes to get things resolved, one of you has to make the first move."

"Not until she apologizes," Blossom frowned haughtily.

"Blossom…" Greg was starting to get annoyed with her and it was evident in his voice.  "Man, what's gotten into you?  You are not the Blossom I know right now.  The Blossom I know is rational, heroic and tries to do the right thing.  Maybe you should go home and calm down.  You're too mad right now, you're not thinking clearly.  Do you honestly want this silly little feud to go on forever?"

"I… no," Blossom shook her head, lowering her voice.  "I hate always fighting."

"Then maybe you should swallow your pride and make the first move," Greg said plainly.

Blossom felt a tear escape her watery eyes.  There was a long quiet moment, which was awkward for Greg, but he just put his hand on her shoulder and waited until she finally spoke up. "Buttercup and I… we used to get along so well despite our differences.  And now, she just pushes everyone away.  Now all of a sudden, Bubbles, Buttercup and I, we fight all the time!  Especially Buttercup and me.  One day, everything was fine and the next…this!  If we say anything to each other, unless it's small talk, we're fighting.  I hate it Greg, I really do!"  She leaned into him and buried her face in his shoulder.  "I wish I knew what happened to cause all of this." Her voice broke and she began to sob.

"I know you do," Greg said gently, he ran his fingers through her soft red hair.

"I know it's partially my fault," Blossom confessed through her sobs, "I've said some pretty mean things to Buttercup lately, but so has she!  But hasn't been herself lately and I worry about her, and I don't know what to do!"

"Talk to her," Greg said, "Tell her this."

"And Bubbles!  She hasn't been herself lately either.  I can still get along with her most of the time, but we have our share of arguments.  Bubbles and Buttercup, that's another story.  She avoids speaking to Buttercup at all costs, ignoring her.  She's changed, she's hardened somehow," Blossom continued, "And she's become mean."

"Bubbles?  Mean?"

"Yeah," Blossom nodded, "To people who aren't cool enough for her.  I don't think she realizes it, because she tries to be kind to everyone, but she looks down on people.  Ignores people.  She has her own fan club, and I think it's gotten to her head."

 "It seems to me that the three of you need to have a serious talk."

"Every time we try, it always ends with harsh words being spoken," Blossom lamented.  "I've said some terrible things today Greg, terrible.  Buttercup's good at hiding how she feels, but I could tell today that she was hurting, and I only made things worse.  I feel awful."

"I'm sure she said hurtful things too," Greg said, "You three need to resolve this.  This silly feud of yours has gotten way out of hand.  It's changed you, all of you for the worse."  Blossom nodded.  "Maybe you should go home and talk to Buttercup."

"You're right," Blossom said, giving him a kiss. "As soon as Buttercup apologizes, because she said some mean things too you know…"

"No.  You go talk to her.  Right now," Greg added, not returning the kiss, but instead pushing her away.

"Now?"

"Yeah, and Blossom, please don't take this the wrong way, but don't come back until you get this resolved," Greg added carefully, like it was the hardest thing he ever had to say.

"What are you saying?" Blossom asked.

"This rift between you and your sisters, it's affected more than your relationship with them.  It's affected ours.  For the last few months, you haven't been the girlfriend I know.  All this anger and hurt has made you a difficult person to be around, and it's only getting worse," he said.

"Are… are you breaking up with me?" Blossom asked, shocked; tears were still streaming down her cheek.

Greg shook his head and wiped her tears, "No, no.  Not that.  I love you Blossom, I really do.  It's just that every time we get together lately, all we talk about is the latest fight you've had with your sisters.  When you're here with me, your mind is elsewhere, and I can't handle it.  I can't handle having a girlfriend who's constantly worrying over trouble at home.  I've tried to help you, I've tried to be here for you, but you know how many times we've had this conversation?  Dozens, and I'm tired of it.  You're feud is going in circles, and I feel like I'm caught in the middle.  We need a break."

"Oh my goodness, you are breaking up with me," Blossom lowered her eyes and let out a frustrated cry.

Greg leaned forward and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips, trying to comfort her.  Under the circumstances however, it was not comforting at all and she pulled away, bewildered.  "Blossom, I love you," he said, "I adore you.  This is only temporary.  Call it tough love if you will.  Maybe if we take a break from one another, it will prompt you to make amends with your sisters before it's too late.  You have no idea how hard it is for me to do this."

"We've been together four years Greg," Blossom didn't seem to be listening, "I can't believe you're breaking up with me."

"I am not breaking up with you," Greg insisted.  "This is for your own good.  You're relationship with your sisters is too important."

Blossom shook her head and frantically saved her work and closed her laptop.  Her head was spinning.  "Fine," she said blankly, "I'll see you in school."  With that she flew off, crying.

*****

After the monster was defeated Buttercup retreated to her room.  She was so upset and angry she slammed the door behind her and overturned her desk in a rage.  She took a few deep breaths trying to calm down; thankful the Professor wasn't home.  She sat on her bed, her arms folded, her cheeks red with anger.  Blossom touched a few sensitive areas, although Buttercup didn't want to admit it.  It wasn't entirely her fault that she didn't have friends for one thing.  She used to be just as popular as her sisters, but in eighth grade, her friends, the people she trusted, betrayed her and tried to ruin her reputation and humiliated her in front of Townsville.  Since then, she had serious trust issues and Buttercup was the first to admit she was not the type to forgive very easily.

Sure, by tenth grade, some of her former friends apologized saying it was a 'junior high thing' but by then, Buttercup no longer cared about popularity, and she certainly didn't care about them.  It was too late for apologies.  Instead she was satisfied with her one true friend Kevin Daily, and a few casual acquaintances.  She was a loner most of the time. 

The other time Blossom went too far in the argument was when she pointed out that Buttercup was afraid of being weak, or as Blossom put it, a wimp.  It had its impact on her because it was true.  She had a phobia of weakness and normalcy.  She used to have nightmares about losing her powers in the middle of battle and everyone laughed at her, telling her she was a weakling: pathetic and stupid.  Then her foe would laugh at her, just before he/she crushed her

Her eyes scanned her room.  It didn't have much in the way of decoration.  She didn't have many personal belongings since she was saving her money to get away from Townsville once school was over.  There was little reason to stay except to fight crime, but she could do that anywhere.  Besides, the people of Townsville really didn't need them anymore.  After they girls were declared unbeatable, all the major villains moved on or moved away, besides, Bubbles and Blossom were staying.  Bubbles had an art scholarship at the prestigious Townsville Art School, and Blossom was going to Townsville University to study political science, and already had an internship at city hall, working for Mayor Bellum herself.  They could handle it.  Buttercup wanted to go where she was needed, and appreciated.  No one in Townsville appreciated her.

Buttercup heaved a sigh and looked at her pictures on the wall.  It was really the only decoration she had.  Most of the pictures were black and whites- photos of things Buttercup found interesting. Her favorite picture was that of a sad old man strumming on his guitar outside of a café on a windy autumn day.  He was wrinkled, dirty and unshaven, wearing ragged mismatched clothes, a cigarette butt was sticking out of his mouth.  He took no notice of Buttercup as she took the picture, and didn't even look up when she was finished.  In her mind, with his rough, unapproachable exterior and sad eyes, he was the epitome of loneliness, and she felt a strange empathy for him. 

Buttercup's eyes focused on one of the few color pictures on the wall.  It made her sick inside.  It was of her and her sisters, taken almost a year ago, on their 17th birthday.  Blossom, beautiful as ever was on the left, her head resting lazily on Buttercup's shoulder.  Buttercup was in the middle and it was one of the rare pictures in which she was smiling.  She hated her smile, so she rarely did, but they were having so much fun that day, it was hard not to.  Her arms were draped around her sisters' shoulders.  Bubbles, who was on her right had her hand on Buttercup's right shoulder and was looking at both of her sisters, the picture captured her in mid laughter, her long golden hair was down and picked up slightly by the wind. They were so close, and so happy.  Buttercup shook her head, "What happened to us?" 

All their lives they argued about something, but they always got over it.  Lately however tension began to grow, and it quickly came to the point where they just couldn't get along.  She loved her sisters dearly, but sometimes couldn't stand to be in the same room with them, and she knew they felt the same way about her.  She was rather hard to get along with; she was so short-tempered, stubborn and brash.  And ever since junior high, she pushed people away.  She pushed her family away.

She knew it was partially her fault.  It'd be unfair to say it wasn't.  But they were all to blame.  They had grown apart.  Their personalities clashed, and it finally got to the point where they could no longer seem to reconcile their differences. 

Blossom's superiority complex she had since they were kids only matured with time and it clashed with Buttercup's stubbornness.  And Bubbles, with her sunny magnetic personality had become the most popular girl in school, but she also became a snob.  While trying to be nice to everyone, she had inadvertently become inclusive and cliquish, so Buttercup's dark attitude cramped her style.  And Buttercup, while she denied it, was jealous of her sisters, because they both had so much going for them.  They were multitalented, popular, got top grades and were loved by everyone, while no one seemed to see through Buttercup's tough façade.

It was the direction that their relationship was going that bothered Buttercup the most and she knew the feeling was mutual.  .She wished that somehow, some miracle would bring them all back together.  It would take more than an empty apology to one another.  Of course, since both Buttercup and Blossom were hardheaded in their own way, any apology from either of them would in itself a miracle.  Ever since they were young they both refused to apologize until the other did it first.

Buttercup stared at the picture of the three of them, wondering why.  Why did they drift so far apart in such a short time?  They needed to sort it out.  There was something unspoken by all three of them, something hidden inside them, tearing them apart, poisoning their relationship, destroying them.  Frustrated Buttercup dived into bed, burying her face in her pillow, but she didn't cry.

A/N I don't know what happened to my reviews, it says there are four, but I can only see one on the site.  Oh well, at least I know what was written thanks to e-mail.

Raskolin Phoenix: Hey you're my first reviewer ever!  Thanks so much for the review!  You guess that this will focus on Buttercup?  Well, you're sort of right.  In theory the first part is supposed to be about all three sisters, but I admit I'm going to be a bit biased since she's my fave, and I find it easy to write about her.  ^_^

Hairy Gregory: You're right, they have grown up to have inflated egos.  All three of them- although Blossom and Bubbles more so, because they are smart, popular and have a lot going for them.  And honestly, imagine spending your entire life in the spotlight, adored by everyone.  Heroes from (almost) the very beginning, constantly praised, and adored, and considered undefeatable, unbeatable, invincible, it'd be hard not to develop an ego.  And you guess "Him" is behind the water contamination?  Really?  Hmmmm… I'm not saying if you're right or wrong.  You'll just have to wait and see.

Heart Throb: Thanks for the reviews!  I'm glad you like!