A/N: this chapter was co-writen with gabicg93

After breakfast Michiru turned toward Hotaru, noticing how the little girl flinched away from her.

"I'm not gonna hurt you sweetheart. I was just going to ask what you wanted to do today?"

She asked softly, watching as the child's eyes grew wide at the question.

"Can we go swimming?"

Hotaru asked timidly, earning a small smile from Michiru who glanced at Haruka who shrugged.

"Sounds fine by me."

She stated, turning to Hotaru and saying

"Go get your swimsuit on under a pair of shorts or something and then we'll stop by Michiru's house to get hers."

Haruka stated, sighing as soon as Hotaru had disappeared upstairs.

"She's a shell of her former self, she use to be so energetic but now...she's even worse than what she was like when her father died. I don't know what happened within the last few months."

Haruka sighed, only to feel arms wrap around her.

"I know we'll be able to get her comfortable with people."

Michiru stated, kissing her cheek.

Haruka blushed when she caught what Michiru had said though before she could manage a response her lover lightly swatted her on the backside before adding playfully.

"Go on or you're going to hold us up."

She said playfully, trying not to chuckle at how red Haruka's face got.

When Haruka left the room Michiru let out a small laugh and began to clean up the dishes, only to hear timid steps stop by the door, causing her to sigh.

No child should be that afraid of people, especially not the ones that will take care of them.

She thought, turning to face the child.

"Is there something wrong princess?"

She asked softly, earning a shake of the head.

"No...Thank you for asking Ma'am."

She stated, the wording too mature for a seven year old child to use.

"I agreed to this but I swear if my head goes under water I am going to toss someone off the diving board."

Haruka called playfully as she walked into the room, buttoning up a pale blue flannel short sleeve shirt.

"I'll remember that."

Michiru stated, winking at Hotaru who gave her a ghost of a smile.

"Let's get going before we all grow too old to go." Haruka stated jokingly.

When they had reached the pool Haruka went into the water, easily dodging Michiru who plopped into the water, making a splash just to soak Haruka who glared lightly at her.

"Really mature Michi."

She stated before swimming over ot where Hotaru was, lightly splashing her before adding

"C'mon firefly, you're the one who wanted to go swimming."

She challenged playfully.

Hotaru slipped into the water, only to earn another splash by Haruka who was grinning like a cheshire cat.

"No fair Haruka-papa!"

Hotaru yelped, splashing back.

While Haruka was so busy playing with Hotaru that she didn't notice Michiru swimming underwater toward Haruka, causing her to have to bite back a giggle.

"What's wrong?"

Haruka asked the girl, though before Hotaru could have time to come up with something Haruka found herself being knocked underwater.

As she resurfaced, gasping and coughing she heard laughter, causing her to glance toward Hotaru who was laughing.

Haruka, despite her coughing fit couldn't help but smile toward Michiru who grinned back.

"You're lucky I love you."

Haruka commented, still spluttering though her eyes sparkled playfully.

Hotaru tried to stop smiling then but just as she was about to apologize Haruka dunked Michiru back underwater, only for her to pop back up and splash Haruka from behind.

"It is so on!" Haruka growled softly, sending a wave of water toward Michiru.

Hotaru got caught up in the fray of playful banter, seemingly forgetting her fear as she sent waves of water at the pair of young women.

"Why don't we go out for ice cream before heading somewhere for lunch?"

Michiru suggested later, while she was just floating on the water.

"I think it sounds good."

Haruka stated before glancing over at Hotaru and asking

"What do you think Princess? Want ice cream?"

She asked, earning a shy shrug from Hotaru.

"Oh come on, we don't bite ya know." Haruka groaned, playfully as she pulled the little girl over to her, earning a squeal from the younger girl though it wasn't from fear.

"Now you want ice cream or not runt?" she asked, pressing a kiss to Hotaru's temple and earned a light nod

"Then ice cream it is then."

Haruka chuckled before adding

"Come on, let's get out before we turn into prunes."