Theme: Nine - Sugar
Genre: Humor/General
Version: Animanga
Rating: G

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Playing House
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Makoto looked like a ridiculous, oversized fish with her cheeks puffed out to full capacity and eyes crossed almost to the point of pain. Sounds previously thought to be impossible for human vocal cords burbled from her pouted lips, and a Winnie the Pooh bib hung precariously around her neck.

"If you're not careful, your face might freeze that way," warned Ami softly as she passed by. A large laundry basket balanced awkwardly on her hip.

"I can't help it," clucked Makoto. "Isn't she cute?"

Hotaru was pretty cute when one forgot the fact she could send the whole world up in one mushroom cloud of total oblivion. As Makoto bounced her lightly, Hotaru cooed and gurgled like any other baby, fingers reaching to get into anything and everything that might be of interest. When Makoto nuzzled her small, soft head, a few tiny fingers went up her nose.

Ami chuckled as Makoto had to sneeze over her shoulder.

"I don't know how Michiru and Haruka can even set her down," said Makoto, recovering quickly. "I think I might steal her if I didn't think they'd notice."

Thoughtfully, Ami gave the breathing mound of blankets currently inhabiting the couch a sympathetic glance. Under all the quilts, Haruka was fast asleep. All that was visible of her was a few tuffs of blond hair, and one, fine-boned hand that skimmed the floor lightly.

"You weren't here earlier," Ami said ominously.

"Oh, come on," cooed Makoto. "How bad can she be? Look at these chubby, little cheeks!" Makoto distributed sloppy kisses to each one. "She's practically made of sugar! Little baby girls are the absolute best. Aren't they, Hotaru?" The baby let a little stream of spittle trickle down onto her chin. "Sugar and spice, and everything nice," Makoto said firmly.

"Uh huh," grunted Ami. She busied herself sorting towels and sheets.

"Guess whose going to teach you how to catch?" Makoto continued. Hotaru stared up at her with wide, awestruck eyes. "I am! And I'll teach you to bake and clean and maybe we can go to the park with your Haruka-papa and we'll show you how to play soccer and cream all the boys!"

Flailing, Hotaru shrieked happily. In her burrow, Haruka twitched. Makoto turned to look at Ami, who had a partially folded sheet between her teeth and her arms stretched wide.

"Ami-chan," said Makoto, laying her head on top of Hotaru's. "I want one."

Raising an eyebrow, Ami tossed her finished product onto a steadily growing pile. "Well, you have another three hours to practice before Michiru and Setsuna get home. I'm sure Haruka wouldn't mind having an extended nap, either," she said.

The mass on the couch moaned slightly and rolled over. One, long leg pitched over the arm rest awkwardly.

"Perfect," Makoto purred, gazing at Hotaru with enthusiasm.

Hotaru gazed back, but her face was beginning to wobble and twist. Slowly, her bottom lip extended and mouth chattered violently. One, long wail was working its way up from her tiny body, and Makoto was in its line of fire. The brunette went from excited to stunned in a split second.

"Ami-chan..." began Makoto, scooting Hotaru at arm's length as the fussing turned into full fledged shrieking.

Wrapped in her cocoon, Haruka's attempt to sit up turned into a painful nosedive to the floor. The empty mug sitting on the coffee table bounced slightly on impact, and threatened to tip over.

"Michiru!" Haruka garbled, bleary eyed and still half asleep. "The tea kettle's going off!"

Abandoning what was left of the laundry, Ami held out her hands for the screaming baby. "She probably needs to be changed. Give me some sugar, Mako-chan," she joked. The brunette passed Hotaru over without complaint, wincing with every ear-shattering wail.

"Sorry," murmured Makoto, looking sheepish. "I think I broke her."

"She's fine," reassured Ami. "Want me to show you how to change a diaper?"

Makoto leaned as far away from Ami was possible. "I'll pass," she said.

"Really? You might need to know, since you said you wanted a baby." The soft, even pats Ami was giving Hotaru didn't seem to be helping much. "They're so cute and all."

Makoto covered her ears.

"I think I'll get a dog instead," she said miserably.