Title: Wanting the sidelines
Author: Ree
Theme: Setsuna (roller skating)
Genre: General
Version: Manga/Anime pre-story line
Rating: G

Setsuna and her friends all belong to Takeuchi Naoko, unless you don't recognize them. Then they are most likely mine. I just asked them very nicely if they wanted to play. They agreed, and quietly snuck out without Takeuchi-sensei's knowledge.

Wanting the sidelines

"Okay Setsuna-chan, roller skating is as easy as ice-skating." Misa looked imploringly up into her friend's closed face. "Come on! Try it." She pushed a pair of skates into Setsuna's hand.

Setsuna closed her hand over them, her eyes never leaving the roller skating rink. Daiki was gliding over the wooden floor.'He makes it look easy.' "Okay, Misa-chan. I'll try it."

The memory faded. Setsuna risked closing her eyes for a moment.'And that is why I'm sitting here on my bottom, with everybody staring.' She felt the eyes boring into her. Every time she stood up, she fell down. It wasn't fun. Looking around, she tried to spot the cause of her embarrassment. 'Where is Misa-chan? She talked me into this!' Finally she spotted her friend coming across the rink towards her.

"Setsuna-chan! Are you okay?" Misa leaned over and pulled her up to her feet. Setsuna started to fall again, but Misa balanced her. "Come on, lets get you over to a wall." Pushing her slowly, Misa watched for the other skaters.

When they made it to the wall, Setsuna grabbed it and started pulling herself to the opening. Misa blocked her path. "And where do you think your going?"

"I'm going to sit down. I need a break." Setsuna did her best to sound tired, it was easy to do.

Misa narrowed her eyes. "You're not chickening out are you? You are going to keep trying later, right?"

Setsuna tried to find a way around her friend. Not seeing one that didn't require letting go of the wall, she decided to try and convince Misa. "I'm not chickening out. I'm just tired. I need to sit down and give my legs a break."

Misa sighed, and moved out of the way."Okay, you can take a break, but you're coming back out and trying."

Setsuna pulled herself off the rink, and she removed her skates as soon as she could. Settling down, she found her enjoyment in watching her friends. She focused on Misa. 'She never understands.' Watching her laugh, surrounded by people, Setsuna tried to remember a time when Misa had ever been alone. 'She can't understand what I enjoy about just watching. She doesn't know how peaceful it can be. Or how much enjoyment I get from watching other peoples pleasure.'

Setsuna leaned back in the sit. She knew she better enjoy while she could. Misa was just as insistent at twelve as she was at eight. And Setsuna was still recovering from learning how to ice skate.