Disclaimer: I don't own, blah blah...
A/N: Thank you everyone for all the wonderful feedback you provided! Because of this I try to challenge myself to bring you a better story. Anyway, we've(by that I mean 'me') interrupted the drama/angst to bring you a bit of fluff because lord knows I feel bad making these characters feel bad. On with the fluff!
Chapter 4: Questions, Questions and more Questions
The room was awash with sunlight when she woke again. The strange feeling of another body laying next to her was surprising but she stayed still. It was the blue haired woman from the night before. The one who called her Mako as she comforted her. She felt safe with this woman—Ami, and had no reason to disbelieve her. 'So that means I'm Mako,' she thought, 'Although it doesn't change anything. I still don't know a damn thing.' She sighed. Feeling like she was doing something she shouldn't be, Mako peered into the sleeping face of Ami.
Long blue lashes rested over the swell of cheekbones. Mako noticed the dried tear trail down Ami's cheeks and she felt something stir within her at the sight. Rapid movement under the closed lids followed by a sigh sounding suspiciously like "Mako" left her perplexed. Ami was dreaming about her? The green gaze dropped to plump, slightly parted lips that sighed her name and found she had a hard time dragging her eyes away. After some time her eyes trailed lower, taking in the delicate arch of Ami's neck and the fluttering pulse.
A curious thought arose, Who is Ami really? And what does she mean to me? She carefully lifted a hand, paused for a moment and dropped it back at her side. What the heck am I doing? Asking herself the question brought forth no answer. Mako felt Ami's body tense up beside her, no longer breathing. Shifting back, her eyes traveled up Ami's face and came across wide mortified blue eyes. The brunette's face suddenly felt uncomfortably hot, caught mid-inspection. "Uhh..." She gave, by way of explanation.
Ami scooted back, putting distance between them before she sat up, placing her feet on the floor. Mako sat up as well, recognizing the flight response in Ami and immediately set out to apologize. "I'm sorr-"
"It's fine," Ami said quickly, standing up. She adopted a clinical air before she came around the bed to Makoto's side. "How are you feeling today?"
Feeling a little slighted at Ami's abrupt change she answered without really thinking about the question. "I feel fine. Really well rested." Ami nodded, as she heard Mako's answer. It was true, all of the senshi were quick healers when it came to battle wounds. Of course she couldn't explain that to the woman sitting before her. It would only leave her with more questions, further complicating everything.
A loud growl interrupted her thoughts and she looked down to see Makoto wearing an abashed expression, her hands over her stomach. Ami couldn't help it, she laughed out loud, a happy tinkling sound. Mako's face eased into a smile at Ami's openness and laughter. The bright light of day and Ami's presence left a good feeling in her. A hand was held out to Mako and she took it willingly, liking the feel of Ami's hand in hers.
"Let's have breakfast."
"Okay! By the way, where are we?" Mako asked as she got out of bed, "Is this your place?"
Ami had the good grace to look embarrassed. "It's your apartment."
"Really? Mine?" Mako took an appraising glance around the room. Nothing jumped out at her, although she noticed there were touches of the color green everywhere. "I...like green?"
Ami nodded. Mako asked another question, "What's my name?"
"Kino Makoto. We all call you Mako-chan."
"And your name?"
"Mizuno Ami."
"Ami-chan, then." Ami's heart squeezed when Makoto pronounced her name. "And the others from last night?"
"Tsukino Usagi, Hino Rei and Aino Minako."
Mako opened her mouth to ask another question and Ami stopped her. "My apologies for interrupting you Mako-chan. But, would you prefer we sit down to eat and I'll answer all of your questions?"
Makoto gave her a bright toothy smile. "That sounds perfect, Ami-chan!"
-x-x-x-
Ami had a theory she wanted to test and Makoto beat her to it by suggesting she help with breakfast. After oohing and ahhing over the delightful kitchen and its appliances she quickly acquainted herself with everything including where the ingredients for meals were stored. They worked together seamlessly to create their meal, Ami amazed at how quickly Mako adapted to the kitchen. It had taken her a while to get used to everything in the other woman's kitchen. So this meant Mako had not forgotten her cooking skills, she figured. Which meant her procedural memory, such as her acquired skills were still intact.
Sneaking a look at the brunette's face she noticed happiness radiating from the woman with each task. She was so caught up in cooking Mako had not quite realized that she could, in fact, cook. Enjoying the easy peace of the kitchen, Ami set the table while Mako finished up. They sat down to breakfast which consisted of omelets, toast, orange juice, coffee and fresh strawberries. With an 'itadakimasu' they dug in.
The bliss on Mako's face from the first bite made Ami smile. She turned to Ami, "I can cook? I can cook!" Ami nodded, the childlike countenance of Mako leaving a bittersweet feeling in her bosom.
"Yes, you've always prepared wonderful meals, Mako-chan." Ami stated as she bit down on a strawberry. She noticed Makoto staring at her while she chewed. She raised an eyebrow.
"Y-you've got a bit of..." Makoto pointed to the side of her mouth and Ami's cheeks pinked as she dabbed at the side of her mouth. She muttered a quiet thanks, her eyes lowered to her plate.
"So, what else can I do?" The taller girl asked before taking a bite of buttered toast.
Ami provided the answers easily and quickly. "You're excellent at martial arts. You're also great with sports...anything physical, really."
Mako wondered why Ami suddenly blushed again but did not ask. They ate in silence, both enjoying breakfast immensely. They had not eaten since the previous afternoon.
"So, Ami-chan..."
"Yes?"
"How old am I?"
"Twenty-one," answered Ami. She went on to recite, "Your birthday is December fifth, blood type O."
"How long have we been friends?"
"We've been friends, including Usagi, Mina and Rei since we were fourteen." Ami did a quick calculation without pausing, "so we've known each other for seven years."
"Do I have a special someone?" An unexpected shyness appeared in Mako as she asked. Ami observed she did not ask for a specific gender and mentally filed that away to ponder on a rainy day.
She shook her head no to answer the other woman's question, "You've dated here and there but there hasn't been anyone long term." Mako noticed Ami looked rather dejected while replying. She didn't want to see Ami looking sad so she switched to a different subject.
"Ami-chan, what happened to me yesterday?" At the stricken look on the girl's face Mako wished she hadn't spoken at all. But another feeling warred within her, the need to know how she ended in this state.
Ami's voice cracked when she tried to speak and she took a sip of juice before speaking, her thoughts flying as she tried to formulate a proper lie. "We were walking through the park in the afternoon on the way to Rei's. Someone hit on me and I politely said no but they refused take no for an answer. They were going to hit me but you stepped in ended up getting hurt." Ami wrung her hands in her lap, " Mako, I'm sorry! It's my fau-"
Mako listened to the story, something did not seem quite right, but she would have to address that later. She held up a hand at the woman who was looking teary-eyed. "Ami-chan, stop." The hard tone in Mako's voice could only mean one thing. The woman blamed her too. The tears were coming so hard she didn't see when Mako got up and came around the table. Strong arms encircled her, leaving her shocked.
"M-Mako—what are you doing?" Ami asked incredulously and Mako replied as honestly as she could.
"I don't want to see you looking so sad. It sounds like it was an accident and I don't want you beating yourself up over it." She held the blue haired woman at arms length giving her an almost stern look before she wiped Ami's tears away with a thumb. "Okay?"
The smaller woman nodded silently and Mako pulled her into her arms again. She stroked Ami's back, the warmth of the woman in her arms felt wonderful. She looked down and Ami looked up at that moment, her eyes bluer than anything Mako had ever seen. They stared at each other, faces drifting closer. They weren't sure what happened but a loud slam had them jumping apart as if they had been holding onto hot coals. Their faces burned with identical blushes and Makoto muttered something about taking a shower while Ami nodded.
'What the heck was that?,' Mako asked herself as she scurried into the bathroom, leaving a dumbfounded Ami behind.
Omake:
Her eyes traveled up Ami's face and came across wide blue eyes. The brunette's face suddenly felt uncomfortably hot, caught mid-inspection. "Uhh..." She gave, by way of explanation.
Ami sighed in a frustrated manner, "Why didn't you go lower?" She stalked out of the room but not before Mako heard, "Dammit and I wore my best underwear too!"
A/N: Thanks for reading, I do hope this chapter was enjoyable. Reviews are loved.