Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, Naoko Takeuchi does.
A/N: Apologies once again. I promised to update soon and ended up taking a couple of days. That nasty bug going around got ahold of me and coupled with work I was rendered incapacitated. Actually I really couldn't focus. Anyway, here's chapter 7.
Chapter 7: Storm and Flood
"Where is Sailor Jupiter?" The furry adviser to the inner senshi asked tersely.
"Luna, where have you been for the past two days?" Sailor Moon approached the dark cat, a crescent moon prominently displayed on what would be considered the feline's forehead.
The youmas were vanquished, the exhausted Sailor Senshi stood around in a semi-circle. It had not been the first time Luna and Artemis picked up and left without word only to return eventually with information regarding their enemies. However, it was the first time they were absent while a Senshi was incapacitated. The others waited, if Luna had been gone for days it meant she had important news to share.
"I do have some crucial information regarding the youmas. We'll have a meeting about this at a later date. With everyone here." She made sure to stress the particular point. "Now, will someone explain to me why we're missing a Senshi?"
Sailor Venus took her role seriously as leader of the inner senshi, it was her obligation to disclose the current matter; she stepped forth and informed Luna and Artemis on the previous incident. The dark cat listened, quietly absorbing the report Venus presented.
Facing Sailor Pluto, Luna nodded to the Guardian of Time, awaiting an answer to the unspoken question.
"I went to the gates immediately after I was informed and I saw no anomalies in the time-line. I believe this means the problem is going to resolve itself soon." At the older woman's words everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Mercury was especially happy to receive such news although it didn't alleviate the worry she felt at leaving Makoto by herself tonight.
Luna nodded to the group again, "All right, we'll reconvene at a later time. Mercury, do you think you can hold off the explanation until tomorrow?"
The blue haired woman nodded and answered in the affirmative. Her reply to Luna was confident but on the inside uncertainty bloomed. Makoto's mood when they left had been less than stellar.
Lightening forked the sky and thunder boomed overhead. They departed quickly, returning to their respective homes. On the way there the sky broke open; a downpour so heavy it reduced visibility except for a few feet. Ami, was getting a ride back to Makoto's place from Haruka when she looked out the window – it was a magnificent storm. She thought of a certain brunette and shivered, unable to decipher whether it was out of dread...or desire. Perhaps a mixture of both.
-x-x-x-
Ami stood at the front door of Makoto's apartment. She could do this, had to do this because Luna left her no other choice. Don't blame Luna, you're just as much at fault. The inner voice taunted her. She didn't want to face Makoto alone for multiple reasons. Taking a deep breath she opened the door, gently calling out to the taller woman.
"Mako-chan?"
The living room was dark and Ami frowned. A flash of lighting illuminated the dark room and in that moment she saw a silhouette outlined against the glass doors leading to the balcony. She could easily recognize the figure, it haunted her dreams lately.
"Mako, what are you doing in the dark?" She flicked the switched beside her and the room ignited vividly. Taking her shoes off she stepped further into the room, treading softly. The tall woman turned and Ami drew in her breath. Light had conquered dark and so the furious expression on Makoto's face was very evident under the fluorescent lamps. She stalked toward Ami, stopping close enough that the smaller woman could practically feel the hostility seeping off the other woman. She backed up a step and Makoto followed.
"Who are you really?" The blue haired woman winced as Makoto grabbed her wrists, demanding an answer roughly.
"Are you even my friend?"
"Mako-" She stared into beautiful wild green eyes and her breath caught in her throat.
"Answer me goddammit!"
"Yes! Yes, I'm your friend!" Ami shouted back while trying to twist her wrists from Makoto's grip. The taller woman could easily hurt her but she wasn't afraid. She wanted to put some space in between them.
Makoto leaned close, her eyes almost glowing as she glared down at the other woman. "Then why did you lie? There was no guy-was there?"
"There was something..." Ami couldn't finish the sentence, did not know how. She looked down.
"You're lying! I checked my entire body. I couldn't find a single bruise!" Makoto growled. She moved forward and Ami stepped back in order to keep some distance between their bodies. They kept up the savage almost-dance of theirs until Ami felt her back hit the wall. There was nowhere else to go. She looked into the stormy eyes staring down into her own.
Mako leaned her head close, the feral look in her eyes made Ami tremble. Oh please Mako, don't come any closer. She prayed silently, hoping whatever force could be appealed to would swoop down and calm Makoto. Every time the woman claimed she was lying it pierced Ami's skin, rending tissue on its way to her heart. Her body was having contradictory reactions; this Mako was tearing her apart on her quest for truth. What the brunette did not realize was the affect she had of being so close to Ami.
The small woman closed her eyes, she could not bear to look at the gorgeously wild sight in front of her. "I can explain," she whispered, "Please." She tugged her arms hoping for liberty once again.
"Will you explain everything?" Mako's voice was low and close. Ami could feel the brunette's breath almost caressing her skin, was intensely aware of the strong fingers wrapped around her wrists. "Another lie to cover the others?" Her voice could almost be called seductive.
"Was this a lie too?" Mako whispered as her head dipped. Warm lips met Ami's and the fight within her halted. She was being kissed so gently, a feathery tickle on her lips. She gasped and Makoto found the response she was waiting for. Deepening the kiss, her tongue slowly entered past the smaller woman's parted lips. She tentatively touched Ami's tongue with her own and was surprised when she felt a response followed by the arching of Ami's body into hers. She pressed her body against the other woman, letting go of her wrists to touch the sides of her face instead.
Ami moaned then she froze as she realized what was happening. Bracing her hands against Makoto's chest she pushed the woman away from her. Makoto stumbled back, tripped and landed on her rear. She looked up in confusion at Ami, the blue haired woman's eyes wide and tears trailed down her stunned face.
Ami came to her senses while Makoto sat on the floor. The urge to run was strong and she did not deny it, instead she bolted for the door. She was soaked immediately in the torrential rain, the drops stinging as they descended from the sky.
"Ami-" Makoto voice was too quiet, far too quiet to reach Ami's ears. Her lips still tingled from kissing the other woman, and there was a strange feeling within her. A rumbling and rushing she couldn't explain if she tried. A loud crack of thunder echoed above, lightening flashed and the lights went out.
Sobs emerged from the darkness. "Ami-oh my god, Ami—What have I done?"
Omake:
Sobs emerged from the darkness: "Stellaaaaaaa!"
Enter Blanche Dubois, stage right: Don't you mean, Ami?
Makoto stops shouting, turns to Blanche: Oh, crap you're right! Thanks Blanche!
How many of you can guess that reference? ;)