Chapter 3

One Thing That Cannot Change

Leona takes a nice long walk near town, just observing the others as they pass by her. She just wants a break from her hardcore training. Whip was kind enough to let her go. The bluenette is glad to take a break as long as she wants. Maybe she will run into Athena somewhere.

Fortunately, she remembers Athena's invitation to the beach and has already picked out a swimsuit for herself. She lets out a soft sigh and keeps on walking until she feels a strange, but familiar presence. She lets out a sigh as she slightly turns her head to see a pony-tail sticking out from a lamp post.

"I know you're there…" Leona says.

"Awww~" The blonde young woman, Mature chuckles. "You ARE too clever~"

"Drop it," Leona says, crossing her arms as she avoids eye contact from the Hakkeshu member. "What do you want?"

"I just want to discuss something with you," Mature takes a few steps out of her hiding spot. "You're with that…third rate idol, Athena Asamiya, correct~?"

"First off: don't call her 'third rate'," Leona says. "Secondly, it does not concern you."

"It may not concern me, but it should concern YOU," Mature points out.

"What do you mean…?" Leona asks, wanting to leave already.

"Look, there is nowhere you can hide from us, Hakkeshu," Mature chuckles. "You can keep being the normal soldier girl and run away from the past as much as you want. It changes nothing."

Leona tries so hard not to turn around.

"Pretend to be everything you are not," Mature continues. "An orphan…an adopted daughter….a soldier….a girlfriend."

Leona hangs her head down, her bangs hiding her expression. She holds her forearm and clenches her fist.

"But there is one unavoidable truth you can never escape," Mature says, walking close to the soldier girl. "You cannot change. You will always be…" She whispers in her ear. "…a monster…"

The blonde backs away, expecting Leona to lash out and attack. But the soldier girl does nothing.

"Strange~" Mature says. "I'm sure I have struck a nerve there~"

"I know…" Leona speaks softly, getting Mature's full attention. She turns toward the Hakkeshu woman, her expression as cold as ice as usual. "But I am YOUR monster no longer."

Mature scoffs. "Even if you say that, you will soon learn that being around people, including your dear girlfriend, is useless. As long as you have the Orochi blood, there is nothing you can do to stop it."

"Maybe so…." Leona turns to leave. "But I am stronger than that. Do not tear my relationship with Athena apart, you hear?"

As she leaves, Mature just chuckles. She decides to have the soldier girl figure things out for herself, so she turns to leave as well.

Leona stops and turns to see that the horrible woman is gone. She looks down at the ground while holding her forearm out of habit.

"Athena cannot know about this…" Leona says to herself. "The Hakkeshu freaks will try and make me evil again, one way or another. I cannot let Athena put her life on the line…"

If she kills her own girlfriend, she will never forgive herself. And she doesn't want to make Athena worry if she tells her everything. All she can do is….say nothing.

Next Day*

"Yaaaaaaay~!" Mai twirls around as she enters the beach, arms spread wide and turning toward her two friends. "The beach, girls! It's the beaaaaach!"

"Hehehe!" Athena giggles as she quickly follows the ninja. "Slow down, Mai! We're coming!"

Leona, who is behind the two, just walks. They look so happy. There is no way she'll tell Athena this way. She'll have to tell her tomorrow. Or the next day. But if she keeps on waiting, time will just go by quickly. She takes a look at the two girls who are setting up.

Athena is wearing a simple two piece bikini with golden high heeled sandals. And Mai is wearing a red sling bikini with sandals on her feet.

"Leona-san!" Athena calls as she waves. "Aren't you coming? We finally picked a spot!"

"Coming…" The soldier girl holds her forearm out of habit and walks a bit faster.

By the time she gets there, she kneels down on the soft beach towel as Mai opens up the umbrella and Athena sets up the lounge chairs. The picnic basket is also placed in the middle of the large towel.

"I thought everyone could have something to eat~" Athena says. "So I whipped up some lunch for all of us~"

"I bet it will be really yummy, like always~!" Mai says.

"Nah, it's just simple, really," Athena says. "All I made are sandwiches and cut up some fruit and brought some juice to drink."

"Oh, well, even so, I bet it'll taste really good~!" Mai says.

"Okay, that's done," Athena says as she makes some final adjustments. "Alright, Leona-san. Let's apply sunscreen on each other. You do me first. And then I'll do you~!"

"Wh-why do I have to go first…?" Leona raises an eyebrow.

"You're the strongest of the three~" Mai says, wrapping an arm around the soldier girl. "It's only fair that you go first~"

"Just because I am stronger than you two, doesn't mean you can make the decision of me going first all the time…"

"Aw, come on~! We're only trying to be nice," Athena says.

"Fine…" Leona holds out her hand. "Bring it here."

"Hehehe! Gladly~!" Athena proceeds to lie on her belly, resting her chin on her back hands.

"Oh, oh, oh! Leo-nya! Apply some on me after her!" Mai insists.

"Sure…" Leona replies.

She gets on her knees and slowly applies the sunscreen on Athena. Her skin is so soft and smooth as she rubs her hands on it. The pop idol gives a sigh of bliss. It feels really good, so Leona takes it as a sign to keep going. She applies it from her back down her butt, to her knees. Mai watches as she grins and giggles.

"You're rubbing her butt for quite a while~" the kunoichi says. "Do you fancy that~?"

Leona closes her eyes. "No. I'm just making sure to apply it thoroughly."

"Suuuuure you do~" Mai snickers.

"Just shut up and let me concentrate."

Athena turns her head, smiling. "Don't mind her, Leona-san. She always has a dirty mind, no matter where we go."

"Whatever…"

After Leona is finished applying the lotion on Athena, she then applies it on the rest of her body. Her slender figure…her snow white skin…her perfect tummy, her legs…all of it just feels so good to her. She can almost do this all day. But she finishes before she realizes it.

Athena gets to her feet, admiring her now shiny skin thanks to the sunscreen and turns to her lover.

"Thanks so much, Leona-san~" she says with a bright smile. "I feel so refreshed now!"

"No problem." Leona says and then turns to the kunoichi. "Alright, Mai. Lie down."

"With pleasure~!" Mai does as she is told and Leona gets to work.

Later*

The rest of the experience went well without any trouble…except for the part where Mai's dirty mind set off again and it sorta annoyed Leona. But she got the job done and Athena did her part by applying the sun screen on her beloved. Her hands felt so soft and smooth as they rubbed against her skin. She was just as good as Leona was when she was applying it on the pop idol. It was so relaxing that she almost fell asleep. But the pop idol finished before she even did so.

The trio is now protected from the sun's rays, which means they can do whatever they want. Mai starts running ahead, turning toward her teammates and calls out to them.

"Race you both to the water~!" she says.

"Oh, you're on!" Athena takes the challenge and starts running after her. "But don't go using your techniques! That will be cheating!"

"And I should say the same for your teleportation ability~" Mai sticks out her tongue. "Both of us need the exercise~!"

"Exactly!" Athena then turns to the soldier girl. "Come on! Catch us if you can~!"

Leona starts to run after them as well. It's only a couple minutes before the happy trio step into the water and start going a little further until the water goes up past their waists. Mai splashes water on Athena, catching her off guard.

"Oh, now you've done it~!" Athena attacks her back and the two happy girls have a water fight.

Unfortunately, they splash Leona and they freeze up a little before Leona starts to splash Mai.

"Oops." she says simply.

"Hehehe~! Oh, Leo-nya!" Mai says. "You're learning to play with us! That's great!"

"You're really playing with us, Leona-san~" Athena agrees.

"Yeah…I am…" Leona gives a small smile. She is happy, but deep down, she won't be smiling if she cannot control herself and actually kill her beloved. This makes things a lot more difficult for her to communicate to her girlfriend without making her worry.

"Hehe~! Hey, come on! Let's play some more!" Athena says as she gently tugs on the soldier girl's arm.

"Sure."

The happy trio go and splash each other some more, laughing and giggling with some cute squeals from Athena upon getting splashed. Leona stands there, staring at her beloved. Her beautiful smile. Athena's smile. She wants to see that as much as possible. But…she knows that she'll definitely lose that when she finally has the courage to tell her the truth.

By the time the three get bored of splashing each other, they make their way toward their spot to dry off and sit down on the large beach towel.

"Whew," Athena says. "That was a lot of fun. All that playing has made me hungry~" She takes the picnic basket and opens it up to reveal some sandwiches, fruit and water.

Mai's eyes sparkle at the sight of the delicious, well made food in front of her. "Woooow! Athena, you've definitely worked hard on making these. They look so yummy!"

"Hehe~!" Athena giggles. "Well, dig in. There's plenty for everyone to eat~"

"Heck yeah!" Mai takes one of the sandwiches and eats it. "Mmmmm! Mmmmm~! Oh, this is so good! Thanks so much, Athena!"

"No problem~" Athena turns to the soldier girl and gently pushes the basket toward her. "Here, Leona-san. Have a bite~"

Leona nods and takes one of the sandwiches as well. Athena also takes on and eats it, closing her eyes and humming at the taste.

"It's good, isn't it~?" she turns and winks at her girlfriend.

"It is. You make really good food, Athena," Leona replies.

"Hehe! Thank you very much~" the Psycho Soldier says.

The trio eat their lunch in silence. No interruptions whatsoever. They enjoy their meal for about a half hour until there are no food and drinks left. Athena helps clear everything up and then stands up, stretching out her arms.

"I'm still feeling the need to move around," she says. "How about a walk? Anybody want to come with me?"

"I'll pass," Mai says as she lays on the lounge chair. "I will just bask in the sun for a bit. Leo-nya will go with you though~"

Leona deadpans. "You aren't going to let me make the decision...?"

"Aw come on~!" Mai says. "You and Athena make the perfect couple! You two should totally go together~"

Leona looks up at the pop idol. Athena giggles.

"You don't have to if you don't want to," she says softly.

Leona stands up and sighs. "No. I'll go. I don't want any...creeps go and hit on you."

"Hehehe! So protective, Leona-san~" Athena says and holds out her hand. "Well then...shall we~?"

Leona gently grips her hand and the two walk away from their spot. They make their way toward the edge of the ocean and walk along side it, having the small waves brush against their ankles. Athena swings her arm back and forth while humming one of her songs. Leona looks her way, seeing the bright smile on her face. She looks so happy. Athena's smile should never be broken, but...Leona knew that smile would indeed be broken if she tells her the truth. Why is it so hard?

"Leona-san~" Athena says, snapping her out of her thoughts. She lets go of her lover's hand, spins around and faces her, hands behind her back, leaning forward a bit. "So...why don't we do something together~?"

"Like what?" Leona asks.

"Let's buy something together from that little shop over there~" Athena points to the small shop in the middle of the beach. "Just as souvenirs, alright~?"

"Sure. Why not?" Leona shrugs and Athena brightens.

"Yaaaay!"

Both of them walk toward the little shop and examine the items. Necklaces, little stuffed toys, food and water. Leona examines the necklaces in one area while Athena looks at the stuffed toys in another. Leona takes notice of a flower necklace hanging. She glances over at the Psycho Soldier and then back at the item. It would be something for Athena to remember her by. She takes it, pays for it and leaves. Shortly after, Athena picks out a little teddy bear, pays for it and trots over to catch up with the soldier girl.

"Leona-san! Leona-san!" she calls. "Look what I got~?" She holds up the little stuffed bear. "See? It's cute, isn't it~?"

Leona gives a small smile and nods. "It is. You want to know what also cute? Close your eyes for a second."

"Oh. Okay." She does what she's told.

Leona steps behind her and gently puts the flower necklace on her. "There. Open."

Athena opens her eyes and sees the colorful flowers around her neck. "Oh, my gosh! Leona-san…this is so beautiful…!" She then notices Leona putting another flower, a red rose, on the idol's hair. "Eh…? Another one?"

Leona pulls away and looks at her appearance. She gives a nod of approval. "Yep. Perfect." She steps forward toward the idol. "Athena…I gave you these…just in case. Well…" She slightly looks away, trying to find the proper words to say it. "Let's just say it will help you think of me…okay?"

"Oh…oh, okay~!" Athena giggles. "That's alright! I love it! And here~!" She hands Leona the teddy. "For YOU to think of me when you hold it~! Just imagine me in place of that teddy~!"

"Uhhhh…" Leona sweat drops, but smiles. "Alright. I'll try my best."

"Hehehe! Now then, let's continue our walk, shall we~?"

Sunset*

Almost everyone leaves the beach. Mai has gone home already as well. Leona stands by the ocean, staring at the sun starting to set. She lets out a soft sigh. She is unable to tell Athena the truth today. It's so hard. She cannot see Athena so sad. It's best if she waits until the right moment.

"Say…why don't we stay here just a bit longer? I want to watch the sunset." Athena suggests.

"Sure." Leona says.

The two of them step toward the edge of the water and stop to watch the setting sun. It's just half-way down. They reach their hands out and hold them, intertwining them upon instinct.

"So beautiful…~" Athena says. "Sunsets are my favorite when I go to the beach~"

"Yeah…" Leona says, slightly turning her head away. "It's been…a long time since I saw a sunset this beautiful…"

"Leona-san, is something the matter?" Athena turns to her girlfriend. "You've been acting pretty out of it since earlier."

"I…" Leona bites her lip. "I'll be okay. Do not worry."

Athena frowns. "Well…I should worry. Is there something you want to tell me?"

The taller girl sighs. She turns toward the idol and suddenly pulls her close, making Athena gasp. She tips Athena's chin to her level and leans in to briefly kiss her. The idol's eyes widen, but then she relaxes and returns the kiss. She wraps her arms around Leona's neck and the soldier girl embraces her gently. They share a passionate, loving kiss for a moment before pulling away.

"Haaaah….haaaah…Leona-san…" Athena gasps. "Wha…?"

"Athena…" Leona says. "I love you. I love you so much that I cannot stop thinking about you. You're my light when it comes to my problems. You help everyone smile, including me. So…please…don't stop loving me…as I will never stop loving you."

"Oh, Leona-san…~" Athena is moved by her speech. "You're so sweet! Of course I will never stop loving you! You're my girlfriend! I will love you forever and ever!"

"Good…" Leona smiles a small smile. "That's what I like to hear." She kisses her again and pulls away to turn to leave. "Come. I think we've been here long enough."

"B-but…the sun hasn't set yet!" Athena says.

"It's about to get dark anyways," Leona says. "Let's leave while we can, okay?"

"Alright…" The idol just stands there, watching the soldier girl walk ahead of her. "Leona-san…I'm really worried. You've been acting strangely since earlier."

A/N:

sorry for the super late update. There's more to come. A lot of drama.

Have a nice day!