A/N - Yo. So, here is another installment of GGGB, god it's painfully slow but I just LOVE to tease y'all that way. As usual immense love to impersonal for beta'ing this for me (you rock my world). I'd like to dedicate this chapter to the Smexx Quintet - they know who they are. -VR

CHAPTER 5 – ONE STEP CLOSER

It's September 3rd and I only have one thing to say.

God damn her.

Yeah, that's right I went there. I said God damn her. And no, for once I do not mean Setsuna. I mean Diana. Yeah, she's keeping her mouth shut, but at what cost? Quite a small one I suppose... well, bigger things have happened.

But, back to my current dilemma.

Diana is, for lack of a better phrase, blackmailing me… okay… that sounded harsh; it's not really that bad because her 'blackmail' is perfectly covering me for any suspicions Michiru-mama had about me and Setsuna.

The shrill sound of my phone ringing alerted me to my surroundings.

I was in my room, under my covers. I blushed heavily as I realized my hand was still situated between the slight damp of my centre and the cool cotton of my underwear. I deftly removed my hand and look around for my cell-phone. It was beside my alarm clock – 10:32am.

"Moshi moshi?"

"Hotaru."

Diana.

Jesus, I really should start looking at the caller ID before I picked up the phone. I sighed heavily, but I didn't speak. No, instead this time, she did. It was swift and like a band-aid. "Listen, I spent a lot of time thinking yesterday. I won't tell anyone about you and Setsuna... but all you have to do is go out with me for a while."

"What?! Are you crazy?"

I heard Diana sigh before she said, "Listen Hotaru, I don't know if you've heard the rumours but since the ballet, people know we've been hanging out... and they've come to assumptions. I don't want anyone to know I got overlooked for some woman three times my age."

My jaw clenched. "She's not three times our age."

"Look, whatever, it's only for a while then we can break up. Everyone thinks we'd make a good couple and the good publicity for our parents wouldn't go amiss, right?"

I brought my knees up to my chest and brought my free hand to my head. I began rubbing my temples – this was not a headache I needed right now.

"I don't like being blackmailed. In fact, you've got nothing to blackmail me with!" I kept my voice at a low level, so if any of my parents heard that I was being blackmailed, then for sure it would only lead to more trouble.

"So, you don't have feelings for Meioh-san...? And she has no feelings for you?"

My silence spoke volumes.

So, here I am, two weeks later, on September 3rd, posing as Diana's loving girlfriend.

Ew.

Currently, we're in Haruka-papa's car (and by we; I mean Diana and I) and Haruka-papa is talking on her Bluetooth hands-free set to Usagi-chan; well flirting is more like it but you get the general picture. Today has been a nightmare. I had brunch with Artemis-kun and Luna-san, both very nice people for sure, but having their daughter draped all over my shoulders at our meal was nearly enough to bring my food back up to my mouth from my stomach. My most common mannerism as of late is to rub my temples and sigh... and that's what I'm doing right now.

"Are you okay?"

My eyes snap to my right and glare at the girl who asked me the question. Scoffing, I turn away. "What kind of question is that? You damned well know I'm not." I've been very careful as of late to not let my voice rise above a whisper.

If Haruka-papa hears, she'll most likely eavesdrop on the rest of the conversation then bombard me with ridiculous questions when she gets the chance to.

Diana tilts her head to one side and looks genuinely confused. "Hotaru, I know you're not happy... but, I have my reasons for," she looked to my blonde parent then back to me, lowering her tone.

"This."

God, it almost reminded me of that time Setsuna was in my room apologising for our near-kiss. She looked so good that day, wearing her tight jeans and form fitting shirt, and – damn, Diana's staring at me. Her jaw is clenched and her eyes are glistening. I say nothing and she sits back in her chair, looking out of her window. But she still talks to me, still at a low level, still on the same subject.

"I can tell you're thinking of her... you get this… look in your eyes. Like you're not even here... and that goofy grin you've got. Just, what does she have that I don't?" Her voice cracked, sounding a little…exasperated.

Okay, I felt bad for her. I moved my body to face her and she glanced up to me.

"I mean, I understand thinking she's beautiful because she is, she really is... But for you to think of her in any other deeper way, it – well, it's wrong. Hotaru, don't you see? She is your mother."

"No!" I looked over to Haruka-papa and saw she was still engrossed in her conversation with Usagi-chan.

My eyes were burning with fury and I could feel them literally ache with my grief. I shook my head and spoke at the lowest level I could manage.

"No... she's not my real mother. She's – " Diana cut me off shaking her head.

"No, Hota-chan, no... she is your mother. And this, it's so wrong Hotaru. To have feelings for her in this way... what would your parents think? Not only of you but of her? A cradle robber? A molester of a young girl? A paedophile who literally bred her love interest from young? You could do a lot of damage with this phase of yours Hotaru."

I felt the hairs on my arms and at the back of my neck stand on end at the mention of the P-word, causing me to shudder. She might be right. What she's mentioned of…that's also what I'm afraid of.

"It's not a phase, Diana."

She shook her head, visibly showing she actually does feel bad for me. "Oh, Hotaru, of course it is... have you always felt this way about her?" I opened my mouth, ready to argue.

But found I had nothing to say.

I hadn't always felt this way about her. Only in the last two and a half months. Before she was always Setsuna-mama to me, there was no doubt about that. So, what changed it all? What made me think of her as anything but my Setsuna-mama? Before I could question myself further, I felt a soft hand gently resting on top of my own. Diana's eyes looked into my own and she must have seen my confusion.

"Hotaru... I know that you don't want to hear this. But give me a real chance; you could grow to love me and then, maybe you'll realise that what you feel for Meioh-san needs to pass. Give me that chance... please?"

I looked into her eyes. I was so unsure of what to do.

What Diana was saying made sense.

I hadn't seen Setsuna in years really, though we spoke a lot. Did I feel as though she left a piece of me in my youth so I'm trying to get that closeness in another way now I'm nearly an adult? Or are my feelings genuine? Was it a good thing I hadn't seen Setsuna in years so I could only implicitly think of her as anything but my mother now that my hormones had taken over? Was what I felt for her real and not some by-product of my somewhat fragile teenage psychological state?

I really have no idea.

I moved my hand out from under Diana.

"Let me think about it."

I moved my head and saw from the front that there were green eyes fixed on me.

Oh crap, I really hoped that Haruka-papa hadn't heard much, no scratch that, any of that conversation.

As soon as we arrived back at my house, I rushed up to my room, telling Diana I had to change – we had planned, or rather she told her parents earlier that I had invited her for a swim. Perfect for me now, it meant I could go and get changed into my swimsuit and some board shorts.

Or should I?

I mean... thinking back to my conversation with Diana, what if this is just a hormonal phase? If it is for me, then could it be the same for Setsuna? God knows I hear Haruka-papa constantly teasing Setsuna about her 'lack of action'. Does she simply interpret my interest in her as a way to blow off steam?

Could I be so bold as to test the waters?

I guess there's only one way to find out – time to dig out the outfit Michiru-mama bought me a few months back. The one I said you couldn't pay me enough to wear.

"So, Michi, I decided to get the Toyota in – WHOA! Hota!"

I knew the absolutely shocked reaction from my father meant I had achieved my desired goal. As I entered the pool room, I could feel every pair of eyes on me. The green eyes of my father were in utter shock. The blue eyes of my mother were clouded with pride ("Oh my Hota-chan is such a beautiful young lady!") and confusion yet happy blue eyes flittered over my form.

Crimson eyes hungrily eyed me before turning away.

They all eyed me however with the same look – what was I wearing?

Well, I was wearing denim short shorts that kept the lower half of my peach (thought it looked more flesh coloured) bikini somewhat obscured from any wandering eyes. I cleared my throat as I took the lounger between Diana and Setsuna and on the opposite side of Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa; "I felt like I needed a change."

I wasn't going to say anymore. I stretched out on my lounger and sat back, exposing my stomach to the late summer rays we were lucky enough to get this time of year. I kept my eyes closed, knowing everyone was still staring at me. A timid cough to my left alerted me to Diana nearing me. I cracked one eye open and turned to her.

"Y-you look nice, Hotaru," and she bowed her head as soon as she spoke.

I remembered my thoughts about from the opera. She was cute. Maybe what I was feeling for Setsuna was just some misplaced emotions. I mean looking at Diana in her mauve swimsuit, I could feel a growing lust for her rising from deep within me, but I shook it off as I turned my head, fighting the blush off successfully.

"Thanks, Diana."

I kept both my eyes open and saw from the other side of the pool that Haruka-papa was lounging back, in her board shorts and bikini and was openly admiring Michiru-mama as she was removing her robe; clearly my mama was going for a swim. Michiru-mama looked over to Diana and I.

"Oh Hota, you look lovely... Ruka, be glad you don't have to beat off any boys, she won't be bringing any home!"

My cheeks flushed furiously for a second, and I heard Haruka-papa laugh as she sat up.

"Hai, Michi... at least all I have to do is keep an eye on Diana...for now." I could have sworn as she said that her eyes quickly glanced to Setsuna who was on my right, before returning to me.

She smiled gently. I looked over to my other parent and saw she was smiling at me too but then she turned her attention to the green-haired goddess beside me. "Sets?"

I stayed absolutely still.

"Wanna take a swim with me? Ruka doesn't want to mess up her hair." Michiru-mama rolled her eyes and Haruka-papa pouted.

"Hey! It takes a long while to make my hair look this natural... plus, I'm just chilling."

Michiru shook her head and stood at the edge of the pool and dived in; graceful as ever. I grinned as she emerged a few moments later and waved to me, before she swam to the edge of the pool and relaxed against the side, sitting on the near-hidden step just two feet below the water. My Michiru-mama grinned back at me.

I could hear Setsuna moving next to me. I moved my head to the side and my jaw dropped to the floor; she took off her flip flops and at the same time she disrobed the near sheer pink robe that was covering her. It flew to the ground in one fluid movement; once again she captured every single part of me.

She took a step towards the pool and dived in.

The second she made contact with the water, I felt my body get warm. She surfaced a few seconds later, and her skin was glowing – she was an ethereal beauty and once more she completely had me under her spell. I watched as she swam over to Michiru-mama, her hair was wet and it looked a bit wilder; I felt that knot in my stomach get tighter and I fought to keep images; that would invoke my ultimate weakness, at bay.

"Hotaru." Diana's voice from beside me brought my attention back to reality.

God, this is so confusing! Do I like her or am I just lusting after her? Do I see her as my mother anymore? Wait... did I ever really see her as my mother...? Really, I mean...

"Hotaru!"I snapped my head to look at Diana as she whisper-yelled at me.

She looked disappointed.

I dropped my head – I never said I would but I did promise I'd at least think about giving Diana a chance. I mean she was pretty enough – most definitely very pretty actually – and she was smart, funny and most importantly not twice my age or a parent/guardian of mine.

"Gomen, Diana."

She shook her head and I instantly felt shitty. How am I supposed to know if my feelings for Setsuna and Diana are the same?

Then a thought came to me.

In the studio... to clear everything up, I thought a kiss would do the job. So, why not now? I leaned towards Diana but stopped about two feet away and she was staring at me quizzically.

"Diana? I'm not saying I'm giving you anything but... could we – could I – "Damn, I sighed, frustrated, and closed my eyes and clenched my jaw.

I opened my eyes a moment later and saw Diana looking at me – confusion still etched into her features. Ah, damn it. This could either be hard or easy... I think today I'll take the easy way.

I reached my hand forward and gently brushed her cheek, she instantly blushed, her back straightened up and she began shaking ever so slightly. I smiled reassuringly – I had only ever kissed one girl; Chibiusa, and it was a dare at a party. It luckily hadn't affected us but she had told me I was a sweet kisser. Diana was shy with me, and our lips touched after lingering near each other for a split second, the warmth of her breath on mine was appealing to my senses. But we closed the distance.

Her lips tasted of her chapstick – which I assume was a cinnamon flavour.

Her lips didn't really get a reaction from me, other than I parted my lips slightly and she ran her tongue alongside my lips but never entered her tongue into my mouth. I could feel her moan gently into my mouth and her hand cupped my cheek, while my own hand when to the back of her neck, steadying us. Her tongue darted once more across my upper lip and I smiled into the kiss – it wasn't a mind-boggling or life-changing kiss, but it was a damned good kiss nonetheless.

She pulled back a moment later, her cheeks completely flushed – I'm pretty sure my own were too.

She looked at me and pecked me quickly on the lips once more. She looked down at her shoes and I just stared over her head, back at the house.

Nothing much.

Those were my feelings for Diana. Sure a great kisser but it lacked spark. It was just like when I kissed Chibiusa. Oh man, kissing Diana was like kissing my best friend. Now I know that my feelings for Diana would never amount to even a fraction of the feelings I had for Setsuna. Even the dreams I've had for Setsuna evoked more intense feelings than this one kiss with Diana.

Suddenly I feel a bit guilty that Diana got messed up in my whirlwind.

I felt bad and I knew in that instance – I was going to have to either tell the truth and face the consequences or bluff my ass off. One look back to Diana's face and I knew it was the latter. She was staring at me with a sparkle in her eyes and she was biting her lip lightly.

"Hota! Keep it in your pants! Or take it to your room!"

"Ruka!"

The sound of my two parents reminded me that this kiss was not in private. I blushed harder as I turned my head to see the smirking face of my tomboy father and the scolding my aqua-haired mother was giving Haruka-papa. My eyes darted to the left of Michiru-mama and I could see Setsuna.

Empty.

Her eyes were void of any emotion.

She wasn't clenching her jaw, she wasn't flaring her nostrils. It wasn't like the other times I had seen Setsuna whenever Diana was around.

Nothing.

She was just doing nothing.

But then, she cocked an eyebrow and smirked. She turned over to my parents, "Michi, Ruka, I'm getting drinks, what would you like?"

Michiru-mama asked for water and Haruka-papa asked for a Sprite. Setsuna looked at Diana expectantly and Diana mumbled out a request for a Sprite too. She didn't bother asking me but she grinned, "The usual, Hime?"

I nodded – my usual was a Dr Pepper and everyone who knew me well knew that.

Setsuna dragged herself up out of the pool, and I watched as the water dripped slowly, almost sensually, from her skin; she looked so touchable. Internally, I instantly went to 'the cinema of my imagination' and trust me - I could barely resist her in there. I'm pretty sure my jaw went a little slack. I turned to avert my gaze and met the line of vision of my other 'mama' in the pool – she has a bewildered look on her face but quickly covered it up with a forced smile. I smiled back – God, I hoped she wouldn't start questioning me again. Instead she turned to Diana and smiled, "Good, to see you two are...close."

Oh thank fuck for the kiss!

I had nearly forgotten about it... but clearly my Michiru-mama hadn't. She swam over to us and half-lifted her body from the pool, resting on the side of the pool and grinning at me.

"Why don't you two come for a swim? Cool down."

She clucked her tongue at the end of her sentence and I heard Diana giggle. Inwardly, I cringed but somehow I managed to grin. Diana stood, and began removing her flip-flops and entered the pool. I shook my head and Michiru-mama pouted at me.

"Well, why not go get your camera, Hime-chan? Some nice photos before the end of the good weather would be great."

I nodded and without thinking made my way into the house.

I forgot she was in the kitchen, the room I had to go through to get to my room and grab my camera. I stopped and stood dead in my tracks in the kitchen, her back to me but I knew she was aware of my presence, how could she not be?

"That was quite a show, Hotaru."

Oh god, she dropped the 'Hime-chan'. I gulped and shook my head, then blushed because I remembered she could not see me nod if her back was facing me.

"I-It wasn't a show." Jesus, since when did my voice sound that squeaky?!

Setsuna turned around and giggled huskily, her tone sending shivers shooting down my spine. She leaned back against the kitchen worktop and eyed me hungrily. I noticed the drinks were all prepared to the side of her.

"Oh, is that so?"

Her voice lilted towards the end and I just knew she was teasing me. I nodded, but this time I was glad I remembered she could see me. She cocked an eyebrow and pushed herself off of the worktop. Then, she took deliberately took slow steps towards me.

"So, you really like Diana-chan, then?"

I opened my mouth to speak but closed it a millisecond later.

I knew I didn't really like her, that kiss had proven that much. She was good to kiss and a nice enough girl but that spark wasn't there- there just wasn't that connection. I just…didn't like her. I sighed heavily.

"No, I don't like her in that way."

I knew there was a decent chance that she'd ask why I was going out with her, but I couldn't tell her that I was effectively being blackmailed. God knows what Setsuna's reaction would be – I couldn't handle anymore drama right now.

She laughed once more, this time it sounded more like a victorious chuckle. She was so close to me, I could feel her body heat radiating and warming my own. I shivered involuntarily as her hand caressed my cheek. She lowered her head to my ear and spoke slowly, her warmth breath tickling my ear and making me squirm and moan involuntarily.

"So, why kiss her? To make me jealous?"

She pulled her head back and looked at me. Waiting for my reaction. I instantly frowned, ready to argue but she placed her index finger on my lips, silencing me instantly. She grinned as she looked at me – I knew she was enjoying this far too much, but I didn't care – I was enjoying it more.

"Because... it worked."

My skin tingled and I went numb as she removed her finger then firmly placed her lips on mine. Her teeth nibbled my bottom lip a moment later and I opened my mouth slightly, granting her access, 

letting her do whatever she wanted with me. Her tongue gently pushed past my now swelling lips and she pushed her tongue against mine. Her lips were moist and I couldn't help the feeling I got when I pushed myself harder into the kiss, as if needing to melt into her – to be one with her.

My lungs began to burn as they screamed for oxygen but I refused them that, I didn't want this moment to end – I wanted it to last forever.

But my efforts were in vain.

Setsuna pulled back smiling, she looked out of the window and grinned wider.

"We'll talk tonight Hotaru."

She went back to the worktops and picked up the drinks, before she left the kitchen she turned to me and smiling – almost shyly.

"Mmm, I promise."

I was still silent.

A second later, I kicked myself into action and ran to my room, grabbing my camera and some film and rushed back downstairs. As I entered the pool, I got self-conscious, everyone was staring at me. Setsuna was looking at me knowingly, Michiru-mama and Haruka-papa were smiling at me lovingly and Diana had her suspicious face on. I kept my head down and walked to me lounger again.

I heard Haruka-papa talk to me from across the pool, "Hota, what took you so long? You know where all your cameras are."

I just shook my head and shrugged. "Just spaced out Haruka-papa."

My blonde parent seemed to smile understandingly then went back to lounging in the sun.

I could see Diana staring at me from the corner of her eye. She looked from Setsuna to me and scoffed loudly. "Spaced out, huh? More like you went somewhere you weren't supposed to go."

I sighed; quite glad no-one else heard her. I had kissed Diana, and I had kissed Setsuna.

Both.

So much for 'no more drama'.

A/N 2 - So, I hope you enjoyed that chapter. R&R if you got time. Ja ne -VR