A/N - So it's been forever since I last updated. Reasons for such are on my profile... but yeah updates will be sparse but will happen in future. I'm gonna go ahead and dedicate this one to October and Laura (Now you have AD and Alicia/Jade dedicated to you! Greedy! And I swear to God you show her this no more Jade/Alicia smexx :P) because if not for them this year would have been all kinds of shit and in general sucky for me. But back to the story... I personally think it sucks but that's just me as I lack my awesome beta for her school is evil and plots against her; Panda, if you're reading this, let me know you're alive :P Rev Klude, youre always a source of cutting inspiration fo sho! ;) Anyway, on with the smexx - er i mean the story ^___^
CHAPTER 18 – I WANT YOU TO WANT ME
"Hmm... I want to go to bed like that every night." Blonde hair splayed out on a double mattress as limbs were languidly stretched.
Minako rolled over, with a stupidly huge grin on her face, ready to hug the body she had reacquainted herself with all night long.
Her smile disappeared as she found nothing but empty space beside her; Minako instantly sat up, her eyes darting around the room, looking for her dark-haired bed companion.
"Rei?... Rei?!" Her voice rose slightly before quivering. Minako brought a hand to her mouth, fighting the urge to cry all of a sudden, the thoughts and feelings she associated with abandonment all threatening to come crashing down on her.
The blonde leapt out of the bed, grabbing her neon pink girl boxers from the floor – where they were damn near ripped off of the blonde's body and haphazardly tossed to the floor by a passionate and frenzied Rei the night before – and put them on, seconds later throwing on the red sleeping shirt that Rei offered her last night... that was before they too met the same fate as Minako's boxers.
Minako opened the door that connected Rei's room to the hallway and tried to recall which direction it was to the bathroom – the blonde desperately hoping that Rei would be there.
Before she could even take one step out of her room, a genial if not shy voice called out from the other end of the hall.
"Minako-san?" The blonde looked for the source of the voice and found it in the young man she had met the night before when Rei introduced the blonde to the clearly lovelorn guy as her 'friend' Minako. He had shaggy hair, dark eyes, tanned skin, muscles and a dazzling smile...
'If I wasn't already pathetically and madly in love with Rei, he might just be my type... ew bad Mina!'
"Hai... Yuuichiro-san, right?" The young man nodded fervently as he made his way to Minako, his eyes darting over Minako's lack of clothing – his cheeks flushed red before he bowed respectfully.
"Um... Rei-chan left an hour ago... but she gave me this to give to you. She said to give it to you if you ever decided to get out of bed." Yuuichiro's message was clearly a word for word quote from the raven-haired woman and Minako inwardly swooned at just the thought of her. Yuuichiro held out a small manila envelope which Minako excitedly snapped from his hands, barely mumbling out 'thanks' before she ripped the envelope open and greedily began reading its contents.
She was instantly swooning over Rei's words, completely disregarding the man's presence before her. All she knew in that moment were the words that Rei had written for her.
'Mina, knowing you, you'll be asleep long after I get washed, dressed and leave. I want you to know that I didn't want to leave you today, but I had some things I needed to do for us today. I can't wait to see you again. I'll call when I'm on my way home. Last night meant more than you could ever imagine to me. Rei x'
"She is so romantic!" Mina's eyes may as well have filled with little love hearts as cherry blossoms surrounded her on cue to the slow sappy piano music that accompanied some of her favourite anime from her youth – she was that smitten in the moment.
"Um... I'm going to – uh, yeah..." Yuuichiro gave up on speaking, sensing that the blonde was oblivious to the world. So quietly and respectfully, the young man made his way back into the temple to continue with his chores.
Minako slowly made her way back into Rei's room, re-reading the short letter over and over again. The blonde paused as she approached the bed, taking in the dishevelled sheets and the lingering fragrance of Rei and last night's lovemaking that instantly brought a light blush to her cheeks and caused her eyes to darken with arousal as vivid images replayed in her mind.
After paying for the cab back to Rei's, the dark-haired woman gave a quick introduction to Yuuichiro of who Minako was; introducing her as an old work friend.
The blonde was lead to a room off the main corridor; as soon as she entered the room, she instantly ascertained it was a bedroom, and the smell of lavender perfume told Minako volumes; this was Rei's room.
Her own private space and she was about to share it with the blonde.
The door slid shut and Minako turned on the spot, and focused on the woman before her.
Suddenly, Rei seemed nervous. She gulped before nervously smiling and making her way over to her chest of drawers;
"I have a nightshirt here for you, Mina, it should be more than suitable for you to sleep in." Rei threw out a shirt and it landed on the bed behind Minako, the blonde barely moved her head to see where it had landed before Rei grabbed some clothes herself.
"I'll go and get changed in the bathroom... take your time, Minako."
Utterly confused, Minako changed in Rei's bedroom, not caring about the fact she was wearing less than seductive underwear, only caring about the clothes Rei had given her, only cared about inhaling the scent that was so definably Rei.
Gods, Rei smelt damned good.
Minutes passed before Rei walked out of her bathroom, brushing her teeth and handed Minako a spare yellow toothbrush that was still in its packaging. Minako gratefully took it but with a confused glance made her way to the bathroom and quickly got the nightly hygiene ritual over and done with.
She returned to the bedroom to find Rei sitting o her bed, sitting Indian style and ferociously biting down on her bottom lip, it's colour turning a delightful shade of red that seemed to scream 'Pounce me Mina'.
The blonde used every bit of willpower in her to NOT pounce on Rei.
"Minako... what are you going to do?" Minako cocked her head in confusion. Rei sighed before rolling her eyes and elaborating, "About that woman that threatened you and Minako today... you do remember that right?"
Minako couldn't stop the smirk that encroached on her features as she heard the blatant sarcasm in Rei's tone.
The blonde shrugged before lowering herself onto the bed, consciously making sure she left enough space between her and Rei to keep temptation at bay. Rei took in a deep breath.
"If... if you want me to. I can help." Minako looked up, confusion etched into blue eyes as she took in the woman opposite her.
Of course she wanted Rei's help, but what the hell could Rei do?!
"How can you help?" Rei gave a small, sad smile before running a hand through her inky black hair.
"The Shimbun... one of its owners is... someone I know."
"A client?"
"No. Minako don't worry how I know them but just know that if you'll let me... I want to help you. I want to make this go away." Minako gave out a small soft laugh before taking in the stoic face of Rei. Laughter stopping, Minako nodded.
"Thank you, Rei. It means the world to me that you want to help me." Rei nodded her head curtly. A heavy silence cloaked the two once more and Minako decided to break it by stretching and yawning loudly.
"Phew! What a day! Where am I sleeping?" Rei glanced down at her bed, which was more than big enough for the two of them, before chewing on her lip.
"Um... You take the bed, I'll sleep on the futon – "
"No." Minako's words took Rei by surprise, not their content but the tone – that alone conveyed the message.
"Rei... I... Just come to bed with me. I need you tonight." Rei took a moment and Minako swore in that moment she could hear her heart pounding in her ears almost rendering her deaf. Seconds passed before Rei nodded and Minako beamed up at her, smile almost blinding.
After the initial discomfort of finding just the right position to fall asleep in, Minako drew in a deep breath before slowly releasing it.
"Rei?"
"Hmm?" Minako smirked at the sleep laden voice of Rei.
"Can – I mean, could we... urgh, never mind. Night, Rei." Minako shrugged the blanket up higher onto her body and fidgeted for a few moment, seemingly unable to find just the right arrangement for her body before giving into sleep.
Minako was just about to give in and sleep in her awkward night-time pose when she felt a hand snake around her waist and rest at her stomach.
"R-Rei?" Minako's voice quivered before she felt the hand slowly rub circles on her stomach.
"Hmm, Minako?"The blonde nearly fell out of the bed as she felt Rei move from behind her, and seconds later the gentle feel of two silk-like lips pressing against Minako's neck.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Minako shivered as she felt the soft exhalation of breathe in the nook between her neck and collar bone.
"Mina... I need you." Another gentle kiss was placed against Minako's neck.
"Let me have you, Minako." Minako gave out small release of air as her name was said in pure arousal by her dark-haired lover.
"I'm yours, Rei."
The blonde flipped her hair over her shoulder and took in a deep breath.
If Rei was going to be back soon, Minako was certain that she wanted to look nothing less than stellar for her new lover.
'Heh, my lover... awesome!'
Minako had a spring in her step as she ran back into Rei's room; her mind instantly filled with thoughts of what her and Rei could possibly do to fill up the time they would inevitably have left to spend together that evening.
Ah... but first she had to call Michiru and explain everything – it would be unfair if this all backfired and Michiru got caught up in all of this!
"Hotaru-chan, you're ten minutes late." A frenzied Hotaru came speeding through the main door and to the desk at the back of the medium sized store.
"Hai, I know, Meioh-san, I'm sorry but there was an issue on the train. I have a note here." Hotaru handed over her note about her tardy train to her green-haired boss. Setsuna's eyes barely flickered over the note before a small smirk played on the edge of her lips;
"It's okay I believe you, Haruka-san after all told me you're trustworthy... I mean, coming from her that's not much but still." Hotaru took a moment to look at Setsuna-san, her head cocking slightly before she bowed slightly.
"It won't happen again." Setsuna nodded her head curtly.
"Glad to hear it." Setsuna pulled out a small plastic box containing several small plastic black cylinders from under the counter she was standing by and handed them over to Hotaru.
"These rolls of film have already been handed in – they need to be developed by 2pm. No later. You can handle it right?" Hotaru nodded, pleased to be trusted with such work. Setsuna gave a small, slightly judgemental look before she looked down at her watch and sighed;
"Right well, I need to go to the bank and sort out some last minute things. When I come back, I expect the building to be in one piece and for there to be no complaints. Got it?" Once again Hotaru just nodded.
Setsuna swiftly left the building, her heels click-clacking all the way until Hotaru could no longer hear them. The young teenage girl looked around her the open plan area of the shop before smiling.
Finally she had something to keep her preoccupied – and working in Meioh-san's brand new photography business was just what she needed.
"You're a child." Setsuna's tone left no room for argument and Hotaru watched as the woman's eyes seemed to glaze over as she looked down at Hotaru's portfolio. Hotaru was distracted by the high specification design and equipment of the newly bought 'Snap Happy' photoshop.
"But you did this on your own Tomoe-chan?" A black head nodded vigorously.
"Doesn't change the fact you're a ch-child." Hotaru caught on the stutter/slur of the older woman's words and smirked to herself.
"Are you okay, Meioh-san? You seem... dru-, I mean inebriated and – "
"I'm fine! It's all fine!...Look, you obviously know how to work a camera and the fact you develop your own photographs to such a high standard is frankly – incredibly impressive. So, fi you're up for it... show me what you can do. If it impresses, you start tomorrow..."
The smile Hotaru gave Setsuna could have blinded her, were it not for the fact Setsuna was so wasted due to her drinking session with Seiya that her senses seemed utterly blind to everything and everyone around her.
"... If not, get me an Alka Seltzer and block out the sun for a few hours... oh, and get the room to stop spinning."
Getting to work, Hotaru immediately took the small box into the back room, preparing herself to develop each and every photo with painstaking precision.
There were seven rolls, and if she worked efficiently and smartly she could have them all hopefully developed with thirty minutes to spare from the 2pm deadline.
So with a smile and newfound sense of direction – that Hotaru quickly ignored was really a distraction from what was really bothering her – Hotaru set to work; intent of making Meioh-san her proud employer.
However, the sound of the buzzer from above the entrance door alerted Hotaru to the fact that her tasks may be delayed to deal with whoever it was that just entered the shop. The dark-haired teen pushed herself reluctantly away from the film rolls and opened up the door connecting the back room to the main shop floor, and pasting a smile on her face, Hotaru began her 'happy employee' routine.
"Ohay – Diana?" The other girl gave a small smile and a mocking bow before sauntering up to the desk.
Hotaru leaned on her side of the desk, an unamused glance sent to her friend's direction. Diana on the other hand, happily leaned against the counter holding up three rolls of film.
"You came all the way across town to hand me three rolls of film?" Diana nodded and placed the film on the counter.
"Yep... I want it handled by the best." Hotaru picked up the items and looked dubiously at them before raising an eyebrow and speaking to Diana.
"I didn't know you were into photography." Diana waved her hand, semi-dismissing the idea.
"Oh! I'm not! I used to be... when I was twelve... I gave up on this kinda stuff years ago!" Accompanying her words with a toothy grin, Diana looked at Hotaru, having to restrain herself from laughing out loud at the dark-haired girl's confused expression.
"Five years? And you're only bringing them in now?" Diana nodded and gave her what could only be described as an 'um yeah, duh!' look.
"Well, if I came all this way across town and didn't have anything for you to develop then it would seem like I had no real reason to see you – right?" Hotaru gave out a short small snort of amusement before nodding.
"Yeah, right... this is so much better than just stalking me." Diana barked out in laughter, highly amused at this playful side of Hotaru.
"A joke! It's an improvement, Hotaru-chan I'll give you that! I see that our movie night worked on getting you to loosen up?"
At Diana's words, Hotaru sent a playful glare to the lilac-haired girl.
Two movies in and Diana wasn't even beginning to feel the onset of fatigue. In fact, she was only aware of the light lavender scent coming from the girl beside her – the girl so enthralled by a movie that she probably wouldn't have even noticed if an earthquake occurred there and then.
Diana gave a short sigh – she knew it was practically pointless to chase anything serious with Hotaru but still... she was an attractive girl and Diana couldn't help the fact that she was physically attracted to her. That kind of relationship always required nothing serious, but Diana knew that Hotaru wasn't that kind of girl.
Hell, she blushed every time the hero kissed his girl on-screen! One could only imagine what she'd do if she ever were kissed!
A fine light lilac eyebrow arched and Hotaru remained unaware of Diana's intentions.
"Hota-chan?" Purple eyes reluctantly drew away from the television screen only to meet Diana's seemingly innocent eyes.
"I'm bored." Hotaru raised her eyebrows in surprise at Diana's words but the girl took it in her stride. She nodded slowly before running a hand through her smooth ebony locks.
"Well... want me to switch the film? Or see if there's anything decent on cable?" Diana shook her head but sat up, her back ramrod straight and her eyes never once left Hotaru's.
"No. Look... Hotaru... Close your eyes." Hotaru blinked, almost confused, as she processed Diana's request. Diana leaned forward, her mouth hovering mere inches away from Hotaru's.
The dark-haired girl's breathing hitched – Hotaru could feel her heart pounding in her chest. As much as she liked Diana as a person she wasn't sure she could handle the inevitable social awkwardness that would follow any physical intimacy right now.
She could feel Diana's warm breath on her cheek.
"Nervous, Hotaru-chan?" Diana's voice was a purr if anything and Hotaru had to gulp as a natural reaction.
Diana watched with empathy as Hotaru shakily shook her head from side to side. Taking pity on the younger girl, Diana reached out with her hands and gently laid them on Hotaru's hips. I
Diana, for the record was tooootally going to have a serious conversation with Hotaru... that is, until she saw the small twitch in the younger girl. Unable to resist (and secretly thanking the gods for this small blessing in disguise), Diana grinned devilishly before digging her nails into the younger girl's flesh and tickling with no abandon.
Lavender eyes popped open instantly and howls of laughter and pain ensued.
"Nooo! Diana-ch-ch-chan! St-st-stop! I beg of you!" Diana shook her head while relentlessly tickling Hotaru.
"Pl-please! Haha, oh God, I'm going to pee my pants!" Diana snorted with laughter before speaking loudly over Hotaru's yelps.
"Say uncle and I'll stop!"
"Uncle!" Diana cocked her head to the side, stopping momentarily before starting to tickle Hotaru again.
"Not good enough! Now you gotta say... Diana is awesome, I'm her performing monkey!"Diana stopped and looked down at Hotaru.
The younger girl had her head cocked to one side studying Diana before she burst out into laughter – shortly followed by Diana.
They laughed so hard they fell to the floor – then laughed some more.
Minutes later, when the giggling subsided and a comfortable silence fell upon them, Hotaru looked over at Diana.
"You were going to kiss me weren't you?" Diana rolled her eyes before grabbing the nearest cushion and playfully hitting Hotaru over the head with it.
"Jeez, lighten up, Hota-chan! Just don't do that with Chibiusa-chan, a moodkill can be fatal." Diana smirked at the blush that covered her friend's face.
'Aw, she is so adorable... and so utterly taken.' Diana shrugged off that slightly bitter thought by clearing her throat.
"So... wanna gossip about which base Haruka-san has gotten to with Kaioh-san?"
"You're depraved, Diana-chan." The older girl nodded before sitting back on the sofa.
"Hai... but that's only because my own life, love and social wise, is so deprived." With a giggle, Hotaru hoisted herself up onto the sofa and the two began their gossip-fest, talking about everyone and everything they knew and could think of.
With one exception.
"So, what's it like working here, Hota-chan?" The dark-haired girl shrugged as she sorted out some forms for Diana.
"I don't know, it's too soon to say. I love cameras and photos... it's only my second shift here, but so far I'm loving it. I've worked out my hours and all that with Meioh-san and the pay looks great."
Diana nodded, glad to see the enthusiasm on her friend's face.
"Well, I'm glad you enjoy it... so far. Hopefully this won't take up ALL your time. We have movie nights to do and I have your class notes to steal." Diana sent a playful wink to her friend which earned her a gentle snicker from Hotaru. The dark-haired girl pushed inky strands of hair behind her ear before gesturing to the darkroom.
"Well, I better get on with this... these should be ready tomorrow, Diana-chan. I'll bring them to school if you like... so you don't need to go out of your way to stalk me." Diana pushed herself away from the counter and nodded as she made her way to the exit.
"Cool. Have a good day, Hotaru. Later."
"So... last night..."
Michiru smirked into her phone as she sat on her sofa, in the living room of her apartment; the TV was on for background noise but Michiru didn't hear a word coming from it. Her attention was solely focused on the voice coming from the other end of her phone.
"Uh-huh." Michiru had to cover her mouth to refrain from laughing out loud. Baiting Haruka was turning out to be almost as fun as their night before.
Almost.
"I had a really good time tonight, Michiru. Real good." Haruka seemed to almost be shocked by this revelation as she said it to the aqua-haired beauty, standing outside the door to Michiru's apartment.
Michiru stood with her arms in front with her hands clasped over her stomach and simply nodded.
"Me too. It was..." Michiru trailed off before clearing her throat and looking up into twinkling teal eyes.
"It was what?" At the shake of the head Michiru gave, Haruka smirked, unwilling to give up, "No, oh c'mon, you can't start a sentence like that at a time like this and not finish it, Michiru... c'mon... it was what?"
Michiru looked away in embarrassment before mumbling something under her breath; struggling to hear her, Haruka leaned her head down, in a vain attempt to catch the words.
"I'm sorry, Michiru, what?"
Giving out a lengthy sigh, Michiru looked up into earnest eyes before speaking quietly.
"I said... it was the nicest time I've ever had with someone." Haruka watched as Michiru's cheeks a light cerise colour.
"With someone? What you're comparing me to ex-clients now?" Haruka's words were playful but held some inquiry in her tone.
Michiru's eyes snapped open before she shook her head vehemently.
"No! It's just... I've never really... oh god, this is so embarrassing." Michiru cleared her throat before looking up at Haruka once more. "I've never really been on a date before. Well, one where I wasn't paid for afterwards. But this... this was wonderful, Haruka."
Haruka was about to retort with an inquiry before suddenly little lightning bolts when off in her head, things began to click and she looked down at Michiru; given the information she had from Miss M and Elza, Michiru started escorting at a young age, and before then the dates would have probably been whenever she had time. A realization hit Haruka hard in the stomach.
Michiru's never really been out with someone who wanted to ACTUALLY be with her.
Until now. And it was Haruka who wanted to be with her, to have her company, to just bask in her presence – to not expect anything for a price after dinner.
She probably has never had a real kiss she ever wanted either.
She couldn't quite explain it, but that thought made Haruka feel incredibly sad for Michiru. Haruka couldn't even begin to tell how everything intimate she had ever done had been because she had wanted it – aside from that one Maya mistake years ago, but that was in the past now.
But Michiru had NEVER.
Well, in that instant, the sandy-haired tomboy was determined to put an end to that. Remembering the last Michiru said, Haruka gave a warm smile.
"I'm glad you enjoyed tonight then and that your first date was semi-succesful." Haruka gave a grin and Michiru furrowed her brows together.
"Semi-succesful?" Haruka nodded and gave a lopsided grin, that instantly sent a fluttering into Michiru's stomach, before taking a half-step towards Michiru.
"Hai... it's not quite a date until you've been given a kiss goodnight." Haruka reached over to Michiru and took one of her hands in her own and raised it to her mouth before giving a small and gentle peck.
Michiru stood with her mouth barely working, lips slightly parted, she gave out a small squeak as the sensation of soft lips touched her bare skin. She looked into teal eyes and saw the question in them.
With a small smile, Michiru stepped forward, her hands resting palms down on Haruka's shoulder.
"Michiru –"
"Yes." No more words were said; with her entire body trembling with anticipation, Michiru moved forward at a pace that seemed to take a millennia before she felt strong hands travel led gently around her until they rested in the middle of the back, anchoring her still.
Haruka took her time, leaning in, ensuring that this would be something Michiru would never forget – this was not a time for lust or any other primal instincts.
Now was a time for simplicity.
For Michiru to know what can be in a kiss; whether it be a promise of feelings, or things to come. This was a kiss of selflessness on Haruka's part. This was solely for Michiru to know that behind every act of intimacy there is no need for rushing. Wet, sloppy kisses of the men she had to endure for God only knows how long were over. Now was the time for a certain kind of kiss...
A kiss of purity and strength from Haruka to Michiru – as simple as that.
Lips connected.
Warmth filled both women at the contact. Fireworks went off in Haruka's mind and she had to restrain herself from putting more into the kiss than she had already promised.
Michiru swore that for a moment her heart stopped beating and she forgot how to breathe. Her mind turned to mush and her knees went weak – were it not for strong arms holding her up she was sure she would have fallen down to the ground in a heap.
With the soft and barely-there feeling of lips moving against one another, it felt to the two as thought if there were an earthquake, tornado or any other act of God then they surely would not notice.
The kiss consumed them.
Michiru pulled away after a moment, her need to breathe winning out her need to find a way to live in Haruka's mouth for an eternity.
"Michiru... are you okay?" Michiru gave out a small weak laugh in between taking in huge gulps of air in an attempt to get heart rate back to normal.
"I thought I was..." Coy blue eyes looked up into green once more. Haruka traced Michiru's bottom lip with the pad of her thumb.
"Me too." Michiru ducked her head before bringing it up once more to look at the woman holding her.
"One more?" Haruka gave a small smile before leaning in.
"For you? Always."
"Last night was... Ugh! Okay, Michiru, I'm only going to say this once and you better not dare repeat it to anyone!" Michiru crossed her index and middle finger over each other.
"I swear I won't tell a soul, Haru."
"Okay... I know we only just saw each other last night... but I've missed you every single second since you closed your apartment door."
Michiru grinned into the phone before clearing her throat and playing with a loose strand of hair that escaped from the messy ponytail she had thrown her hair into.
"Well... I'm free today. Seiya-chan doesn't need me or Minako today so – Oh! Minako wanted to have a late lunch/early dinner type of thing today... do you want to join us?"
"Ah a third wheel? I don't think so..."
"No! Minako said Rei's going to be there too... so it could be... nice..." Michiru trailed off, hoping Haruka wouldn't read too much into it.
"Like a double date?"
No such luck.
Michiru was glad she was on the phone in that instant – if anyone saw her blush she would absolutely die.
"No... like a meet up between old friends. Even if Rei and Minako are an item – if Minako's intelligible ranting is anything to go by."
"Hmm, well Minako has been saying that they're a couple for a while in between insulting Rei and checking out her ass so I'm not sure she can be a trusted source."
"Oh I don't know. She spent the night at Rei's..." Michiru let her sentence trail off, hoping that she wouldn't have to divulge any more information – Minako would have been fine with it. But Rei? Only Kami knew what the dark-haired woman would do to Michiru if she found out her private life was common knowledge!
"Oh."
"Exactly!" Michiru nearly jumped off of her sofa – the tone Haruka responded in showed that she did indeed get the whole picture and there was no need to elaborate.
"So they're girlfriends now?" Michiru nodded before realising Haruka couldn't see her – resisting the urge to palm-slap herself Michiru cleared her throat before speaking once more
"Yeah, I guess so."
"So it IS a double date!" Michiru didn't need to be a genius to figure out the grin on Haruka's face in that moment. Her eye roll was cut off by Haruka's next sentence.
"I mean... it's a double date if there's two couples... and we are a couple, right Michiru?" Giddy with happiness Michiru bit back her squeal of happiness and instead opted for her coy routine.
"My, my, don't we move fast? I hope you haven't got U-Haul on speed-dial." Michiru had a full on grin at the snort she received from the tomboy at the other end of the line for that remark.
"Ha ha. Very funny, Kaioh." Michiru composed herself instantly, hoping to give Haruka's question a much needed serious response.
"Haruka?"
"Hmm?"
"Yeah... we are."
"... Awesome."
Michiru rolled her eyes at the 80s-ariffic lingo Haruka used before giving in to the now seemingly natural urge to smile at the other woman's voice.
"Haruka? I'll see you at five. We're going to Makoto's – Minako loved the veal there."
Michiru ended the phone call and put the phone onto the table before falling back into her sofa and revelling in its softness and the safety she found therein the fabric.
There was only one thing better than this... but she'd have to wait until much later until she was with Haruka again.
Usagi's eyes were fixed on the television but her thought were a million miles away.
The latest trash-talking daytime television show blared out loud, filling the living's room silence with the screech of some woman's demand for a paternity test to find out who 'be her baby-daddy'.
Baby-daddy? Oh God, the colloquialism was not lost on Usagi and she instantly felt tears rise to her eyes as her hand instinctively reached for her stomach – she could feel nothing there but knew without a doubt that life was growing; slowly but surely.
A child – made of her and Mamoru would be in the world in just under seven months and she had no idea if she would be able to provide the two parents she wanted to give it.
Her and Mamoru wanted to work things but only one session had gone by – and he had shown up late.
Usagi was so confused but wanted to forget all her pain. Her and Mamoru had been together for almost ten years... surely that spoke of their destiny together? To go from that transition of high school love to true adult love? To keep their relationship together, they must have had something special.
'Hai and Beryl must have had something REAL special for Mamo too.'
Bringing her hand up to quickly wipe her moist eyes, Usagi tried to fight back that small voice of doubt that kept niggling in her ear.
If Mamoru did love her, why did he go to Beryl?
With a sigh, Usagi tried to bring her attention back to the idiots arguing on national TV airing out their dirty laundry for all to see.
It was in that moment, that Chibiusa realised her cousin's demeanour was grave, and immediately sought to improve it.
"Hey, Usa-chan? Know what would be fun today?" Usagi looked over to her cousin and gave a weak smile before shaking her head. Chibiusa bounced up and down on the spot excitedly before bounding over to her cousin and landing beside her on the sofa.
"If we went and hung out with some friends! Since Mamo – " Chibiusa cut her own sentence off, instantly seeing the sadness in deep blue eyes.
"I mean... we've not seen Haruka-san, Seiya-kun or Makoto-san for a little while... wouldn't it be fun to meet up with them?" Usagi seemed to contemplate this before she nodded her head slowly.
"I'll call them up Chibi-chan and see if they'd like to meet up for dinner or something." Chibiusa tried to conceal her true glee as she watched Usagi reach for her cell-phone and call up her friends.
Deciding to go and get ready for their day together, Chibiusa headed to her room ready to change into her most adorable pink ensemble to hand.
#Girl, you know I-I-I-I, girl you know I-I-I#
Chibiusa rolled her eyes as she picked up her phone, instantly recognising it as the tone assigned to Helios – another hilarious thing her 'friend' Jun when they were eating lunch at school.
"Helios?"
"Hey, Chibi... um, I know this is kind of last minute but do you want to dinner tonight? My parents are away so I'm free from the slaves of assigned dining times." Chibiusa rolled her eyes at Helios' attempt to be charming and funny at the same time – today it just wasn't doing anything for her.
"Er..." Stalling to find a good way to let him down, Chibiusa decided on being truthful; even if she wanted to, she had her priorities in being there for Usagi.
"Helios, I'd love to – " She had barely finished her words before she heard a loud 'YES!' from the other end of the line. Sighing, she dived right back in, "But I can't. I've promised Usagi we'd do something with her friends tonight. We can go out tomorrow night if you'd like." There was a silence as no doubt Helios was adjusting to the blow to his plans.
"Um... tomorrow's no good for me. We have a swim meet and we won't get back until late. The day after?"
"Sure." There was an awkward silence and Chibiusa wasn't sure she could handle any more. "So... I have to go... talk to you later okay?"
"...Sure thing. Bye, Chibi-chan."
Chibiusa hung up her phone before falling back onto her bed and holding her pillow over her face – releasing a short scream of frustration.
A second later she threw the pillow to the side.
"What the hell is wrong with me?" Turning to her side, the younger girl played with a bit of lint floating over her lush rose coloured comforter. Her brows furrowed as she thought about the past few days.
About her growing thoughts, feelings and emotions.
Hotaru.
She was so damned certain that eventually these strange sensations her mind went through whenever the girl was around or mentioned would soon take a clear route. But it hadn't.
The night before, while chatting online to Helios, he had divulged that Diana and Hotaru had been talking to each other every single day and they had plans for every other day to do something together.
When she heard that, Chibiusa felt a knot in her stomach get tighter and for a moment she felt angry.
She had heard about girls getting crushes on other girls but she thought it was the sort of thing that passed quickly – a phase as it were.
But here it was... and it was staying.
It was niggling at her, she couldn't even spend any time with Helios or talk to him for too long before her mind wandered to the thought of the dark-haired girl.
Was she with Diana right now? What were they doing?
Were they doing anything ... together? Was Diana attempting to be cutesy and couply in an attempt to steal a kiss from her shy Hotaru?!
That last thought alone made her blood boil.
Wait... her Hotaru?!
"Oh God..." Realisation smacked Chibiusa in the middle of her face. She sat up ramrod straight before slumping forward, cradling her head in her hands.
"I'm jealous of Diana."
"Uh huh... no problem Usagi-chan, why don't you come here? Haruka's going to be here later and I'm sure I could bully Seiya into not being a loser and getting over here for a free meal." Makoto grinned, holding the phone to her ear as she checked over the vegetable inventory list brought to her by the 'barrow' man who supplied her with the freshest veg for the highest price.
"Honestly Usa-chan, I... I think it would do all of us some good to be around friends. What? Me? No, no I'm fine... I just miss you all that's all. Uh huh. Okay, so I'll see you at five."
Makoto hung up and placed the phone back onto her desk, her eyes roaming over the list of food yet that was supposed to be delivered in a couple of hours.
She had barely checked the numbers in the avocado section when there was a light knock on her office door. Without thinking she spoke.
"C'mon in." She roamed her eyes back over the asparagus listing when her attention was caught by a familiar blur of blue hair; Ami had just shuffled into her office.
Makoto instinctively dropped her pen and leaned back in her chair, arms crossed defensively over her chest.
Ami nervously shifted her weight from one foot to the other before clearing her throat.
"I... er, I'm sorry to come here unannounced Makoto." No response came from the brunette.
"I called your apartment... but you didn't answer and I needed to talk to you." Makoto clenched her jaw before uncrossing her arms and bringing her attention to her inventory list.
"There's nothing to talk about." Makoto began crossing off numbers from the list.
Ami stepped forward once more, not daring to sit down, she needed to be strong and literally stand her ground.
"About the last night... at the hospital, I – "
"Ami." Her name was spoken curtly and instantly silenced the bluenette.
"Like I said... there's nothing to talk about. I..." Makoto sighed deeply, "I know this is unfair on you. I don't know maybe I pushed too hard. Maybe I was too eager... but either way... it's clear you're not comfortable with the idea of anyone knowing that we're involved."
"No... that's not it. It's just that..."
Ami trailed off and Makoto sighed.
It had been a hard night for Makoto. Hearing her phone ring for most of the night and morning, hearing the voicemails left by Ami; it took everything in the brunette not to pick up the phone.
"At my work, Makoto... I've found out quickly that... that they're not as open minded as I would have hoped they'd be. And... I got scared, okay? This is all so new to me! And I'm finally where I want to be in life - I finally have the job I want and now I have to look over my shoulder because - "
"Because you're ashamed." Makoto's words were spoken softly and they started Ami for a moment. The younger girl said nothing but looked away to the side. Makoto gave out a soft, slightly bitter chuckle.
"I understand... really I do. I just thought that you were better than that." Ami looked up into jade eyes. The sincerity behind Makoto's words were truthful and it stung Ami. Ami cleared her throat, hoping to defend herself.
"Makoto, that's unfair and you know it. I've worked so hard to get to this point. I don't intend to hide anything about me but I'm not going to shout it from the rooftops either!" Makoto stood from her seat, her hands splayed out palms down on her desk.
"I'm not asking for you to go join a fucking pride parade Ami! Just that you don't flinch when I kiss you. I know that it's not that you're ashamed of me... no, it's worse that that. You're ashamed of yourself. I can come and go... but you'll never be happy with yourself. And that's sad, Ami." Makoto shook her head sadly before making her way over to her door and opening it up.
The brunette stood to attention by the door, her eyes concentrated on the wall opposite, her eyes fighting to look at the bluenette but her mind overwrote that instinct.
"Makoto... please, don't do - "
"Ami... I an't be anyone's dirty little secret. And I never planned on being yours." Makoto looked at the floor, her head hanging and unable to look at Ami.
Feet shuffled forward - almost timid in their movements. Makoto closed her eyes and tried to block out the pounding in her ears caused by her rocketing heart rate.
The brunette was startled when she felt cool flesh touch her overheated cheeks.
"Makoto... please... give me some time. I'm new to all of this..." Makoto couldn't fight it any longer; looking up into baby blue eyes, she felt all her resolve beginning to melt away with each passing second.
"Ami... I can't handle being someone you're embarrassed to be seen with... I'm sorry." Ami didn't move away when Makoto gently removed her hand; but she did gulp nervously.
"I'm not embarrassed Mako... I'm just new to everything. Relationships, people... I... I'm trying. I can't guarantee but I want this... you. I-I-I want us. Please?"
The silence that followed her statement almost brought Ami to tears.
"... Will you ever call me your cousin again?"
Fighting the urge to smile at the small progress she was making, Ami shook her head vigorously.
"No. Never again." Makoto nodded once before easing her stance and taking a less defensive position by the door.
"Good. Because the next time I'll just tell them the truth." Green eyes met Ami's - the look in them almost daring Ami to protest out loud.
Instead Ami, just nodded slowly before taking a tentative step forward and placing her arms around Makoto's neck.
"And I'll show them you weren't lying." And with that, Ami stood on her tiptoes and sealed her promise with a kiss.
Makoto used her free hand to close her open office door.
"You said I'd never have to see you again."
Rei rolled her eyes at the blunt attitude of the Senator before entering his office and closing the door behind her.
"If I could help it. Trust me, his benefits me as much as you, otou-san." Rei's father's eyes flickered with amusement at her tone before he settled on smirking smugly and twirling and overpriced Parker pen in his fingers.
"So... what is this benefit?"
"Someone may know." The pen was dropped and Senator Hino's eyes darkened with anger.
"What?! Explain, now!" Rei demurely crossed one leg over the other and anchored herself using her ankles.
"My... my lover is about to be the next biggest thing in modern Japanese pop music... but she was in the same line of work as I before that... now someone knows. And it would only be a matter of time before they discover about me. And thus you." The Senator stood from his seat and paced his office in short tight circles.
"Why couldn't you have gotten a fucking office job like any other girl?" Rei gave a simple shrug before indifferently answering;
"I'm not like every other girl." Once again, Rei's father had to hide his amusement.
"So... why are you here? What can be done to remedy this fuking potential PR disaster? Elections are in four fucking months!" Rei stood up and threw down a newspaper that she had retrieved from her handbag, onto her father's desk. He looked at the paper before looking at her, perplexion clouding his features. Rei took in a deep breath.
"Maya Kobayashi. She's now a reporter at the Shimbun. You are one of the major shareholders. See to it that any investigation she has planned on Aino Minako or Kaioh Michiru does not go forward. Then you stay safe. I'm sure you'd have enough pull with the other shareholders to ensure a majority backing."
Breathing out a sigh of relief, Rei's father slumped into his chair.
"Thank God... for a moment there, I panicked. Consider it done." Rei nodded before turning towards the door - intent on leaving.
"Rei? How is grandfather?" Not missing a beat, Rei turned and replied.
"He's in the hospital but don't bother yourself. He has all the family he needs right now." Rei's father drew his eyebrows before shrugging.
"Do you want more money?"
Letting out a short bitter chuckle, Rei shook her head before opening the door to her father's office.
She paused for a moment before turning to look at the Senator once more.
"It is so sad that your entire life revolves around how much you can pay someone off, father... No, I don't want or need anymore of your money. I have something better now."
Shrugging off Rei's comments, the Senator sat up in his chair.
"Your half-brother would like to see you at this Sunday at his birthday party by the way. Apparently ten is a once in a lifetime celebration." Rei looked over at her father before nodding slowly.
She headed out of the office and made her way out of the claustrophobic confines of the political office.
Looking down at her watch, she saw she had over three hours to head home, shower and get ready for her dinner with Minako... and according to the blonde's text from earlier, everyone else she had known in the past year.
But still... Mina.
Rei admonished herself for almost having a girly moment before she gave in and gave a small smile as she hailed down a taxi.
"... My Mina."
A/N - Yeah I'm leaving it there so I can do the next chapter... which will be HUGE. Sorry for the half a year delay... life and stuff ya know... anyhow R&R if you can, you might not have to wait 6 months for the next chappy if you do! Forgive all typos and errors - i was way tired when i wrote this and couldnt be bothered to check it - VR aka Karis