Haruka heard the sound of crying before she saw that Hotaru was sitting in the floor near the couch, sobbing into her arms.
"Taru-Chan? What's' wrong? Why are you up?"
She asked, kneeling down only to have the little girl hug her suddenly.
"Bad dream."
The little girl sniffled, earning a sigh.
"Ah, i see….Wanna talk about it over a cup of hot cocoa? That always helps me when I'm not feeling in very high spirits."
She replied gently, lifting the child into her arms, only to have Hotaru instantly hide her face into the front of her robe, clinging to it as if she was afraid Haruka would suddenly let go of her.
"I've got you, you're okay sweetie."
She cooed, moving toward the kitchen.
MIchiru rolled over only to feel Haruka's pillow pressing against her side, causing her to groan.
How is it she sleeps on something that feels like a cinderblock?
She thought as she got up, glancing at the clock before heading downstairs.
She smiled slightly when she found Haruka sitting with Hotaru in the kitchen, telling some fabricated story about monsters and heros that could only belong in a fantasy setting.
"May I ask the pair of you why you're up at an ungodly hour?" she asked trying to stifle a yawn as she was not a morning person, though she didn't complain although as she walked past she stole Haruka's mug directly from her.
"Hey!"
The blonde yelped, earning a smirk.
"This is what you get for your pillow breaking my ribs." she retorted in a teasing tone, earning a sigh as the blonde got up to make another cup.
"You two want any more?"
Hotaru glanced at Michiru who just shrugged.
"It's summer Kitten, besides you said you didn't want to go to sleep right yet." Haruka stated, seeing the exchange and the confused look on Hotaru's face.
"Hotaru, go ahead and answer Haruka's question."
Michiru prompted gently, knowing why the child was afraid to speak her piece.
"Yes ma'am."
After hotaru finally fell asleep, nestled in Michiru's arms Haruka finally spoke.
"Why is it that she is terrified to even speak? Except to you."
Michiru sighed and glanced down at the sleeping girl.
"Her foster mother before us was abusive as far as I have heard, plus she just lost her parents maybe over three months ago. Cut her some slack, both you and Setsuna act stern at first and it doesn't help that you two seem like giants to her."
Michiru answered simply, earning a sigh.
"Well at least it's just because of that then, I am seriously afraid to make her uncomfortable."
Haruka stated before adding
"She was just sitting there crying in the dark, wouldn't even tell me what was wrong."
Michiru sighed.
"She'll tell us when she's ready Haruka, I can only imagine that she feels unsure of everything right now, being thrown home to home only to land in an orphanage? Though I know that it was one of the best in the city but still, I can just imagine how that would feel…."
She responded, earning a nod from her lover.
"Yeah...Going from being alone to living with three people you barely know. I say any of us would be scared at that age."
Haruka agreed then sighed
"I'm going for a ride, clear my head."