(3) Walking down the road that leads to who knows where
"I do have a Christmas calendar that's filled with chocolate." The small girl pointed proudly at the aforesaid object and grinned widely. The calendar had exactly twenty-four tiny doors; behind each one was a nice chocolate piece to be found in the shape of different animals. Today it had been an elephant and the little girl was busy describing how it had looked like and, of course, how delicious it had been. "Do you have one, nee-chan?"
"No." Michiru smiled at Hotaru and could not resist to stroke through shoulder long black hair. Purple eyes sparkled and the small girl sat nearer to her, to let her take her in her arms and rock her softly. "But I have one with pictures behind every door."
"That's cool." Smiled Hotaru and closed her eyes and enjoy her friend's nearness. Michiru kept stroking dark strands, but her expression turned into sadness. She wanted to be more often with the ill girl she got to know when she moved to the boarding school. Hotaru was the school doctor's daughter and from the moment Michiru met her she loved her like the little sister she had never had. Or maybe even like the daughter she most likely would never have. So whenever there was no youma attack and no tight schedule she visited the little girl to play with her dolls or to take her out for a walk in the park nearby. Mostly Haruka came with her, although Michiru simply could not make out whether the blonde was doing it for the ill girl or if she was looking for youmas and Mistress 9 while Hotaru wanted to show her a flower, a bird or a snowflake.
"Luv ya." Whispered Hotaru tiredly and yawned. Michiru reached for the blanket on the bed and covered them both. Then she leaned back against the wall and looked out of the window. Normally there were thick curtains shutting out every ray of light, today, however, they were open and Michiru could see the white layer of snow covering the balcony and the world outside. Two birds were hopping through the white element towards Hotaru's aviary, but Michiru did not wake up the small girl. Hotaru had to take her medicine half an hour ago, which always made her tired. It was good to hold her, to let the child feel that she was not all alone. That there were persons on this world who loved her no matter how ill she was. Even after her mother's death.
Michiru did not know a lot about Hotaru's past, she did not want to upset neither Dr. Tomoe nor his daughter, but she found out that her mother died during a tragic accident and that she missed her, of course. Michiru was more than willing to be kind of a mother-substitute for the little girl. Then she did not feel so alone herself, as well.
But what will happen to Hime-chan if I'll die during a youma attack?
Michiru gulped and hugged the girl in her arms gently.
What will happen to me if her illness gets worse?
Michiru closed her eyes and concentrated on the small body in her arms, who snuggled up to her so trustingly. She did not want to think of the insecure future they all had to face. No, she could not imagine how she could have believed that her life would be stable, that every day would be the same, that the future was a glorious place she could not await to happen. She had wanted to become a famous artist and violin player, just like her father used to be. Now she only wanted to survive. To complete their mission. To see the candles burning on their Christmas tree in three weeks from now.
She could not longer plan anything that was further away than one or two days, a week at the maximum. When the teachers gave her homework over the weekend, she never knew if it was worth the effort or if she would not be able to hand it in coming Monday.
What will happen if a youma will finally be stronger than?
Michiru buried her face in Hotaru's hair and held the little girl softly tighter. Tears burned in her closed eyes but she would not let them fall. Not now. Not here. Not in front of Hotaru, especially not Hotaru who would be scared and frightened.
I don't want to leave you!
The little girl did not react, she did not stir, only dug her fingers weakly in Michiru's blouse, her hated school uniform. While Haruka decided for the boy's uniform and was often confused to be a boy, Michiru chose for the girl's uniform. To be honest, she did not like any of those clothes, because the brown colour made her even more depressed. One day, she swore silently to herself, she would buy Hotaru a white summer dress and throw her black one away. Provided that Michiru lived to see next summer.
Hotaru's regular heart beat calmed down the sea beauty's nerves and her body reminded her of two night's missed sleep. Last night had been another attack and therefore laying in bed and snoring became a luxury she could not afford any longer. Her thoughts stopped to trouble her and she drifted into half-sleep. She heard how a door was opened from far away and how silent steps approached her. However, Michiru felt too tired, too content, too much loved to bother much.
"Michiru?"
It was Haruka's voice. After the youma had almost overwhelmed the wind senshi, Haruka finally saw that her arm needed medical treatment. She could hardly hold her henshin any longer nor fight with it. To say nothing of her sport lessons which she could not attend in her condition. So Michiru succeeded in talk Haruka round into visiting Dr. Tomoe to let him take care of her injuries and to give her a doctor's certificate for her strict sports teacher.
"The check-up is over. I even got an injection." Michiru could see Haruka's pained expression even with closed eyes, but she felt too tired to open them to confirm her speculation. Nor did she smile.
"Are you asleep?" There was a shuffling noise and then someone sat down next to Michiru, who was not willing to give up her dreamland. "Michi?" Haruka's voice was silent and soft, so completely different from the arguments they had had during the past days. There were gentle fingers stroking through her hair and a sad sigh somewhere by her right side.
"Michi?"
Haruka yawned and obviously leaned against her. Michiru could feel her head against her shoulder, was tickled by short blond hair touching her right cheek. Silence spread out, but it was comfortable. Everything was fine. At least for now, for this moment in time; the persons she loved most where near, were safe, were alive.
What will happen to me if they both disappear one day?
Michiru removed her right arm from around Hotaru's sleeping form and wrapped it around her best friend to hug her. The blonde did not mind, probably she had already arrived in her private dreamland. The sea beauty held Haruka and Hotaru tight, knowing that she would never let them go.
Where we'll be going, I'll be right by your side.