Water Lilies: Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve: Plans

An incredibly pleasant breakfast several hours behind her, Ami was lost in thought at her desk in the clinic. The pen stood still in her fingers, its task of entering notes into a patient's chart at a pause. Years ago, if anyone had asked her if it was possible for Ami to fall deeper into love with Makoto Kino, the doctor would have shaken her head and replied with a negative. However, after last night she had been proven wrong. Even so, she could not shake the idea that this was a dream and eventually she'd have to return to reality once Makoto left for Tokyo. The thought hurt but it was far too late to go back to the way things were now. No, right now she would simply accept what the other woman was willing to give no matter what the future held.

In the midst of an intense kissing session with Makoto, Ami could think of nothing but getting closer to the brunette. How she had burned to feel the woman's skin against her own all these years. Rational thought and patience deserting her, Ami had been reduced to simply enjoying the sensation of Makoto's strong hands, warm body and hot mouth. Slipping her hands under the hem of Makoto's tank top, Ami moaned heavily at the sensation of toned abdominal muscles covered in velvety soft skin. It was the first time she had ever felt something contrast so wonderfully; Makoto was hard and soft all at once and it staggered her senses.

Verdantia: Chapter Two

Chapter Two: The Muur-Kami

Red eyes with dark pinpoint pupils glared out of the gloom into the bright circle of sunlight. The stones towered in the center of the clearing. The Muur-Kami had been asleep when the booming and crackling rocked through the forests. It had grunted, instantly awake and up on its four legs. It knew the signs of course- it could smell the change in the air, an almost electric current seeping into the stink of the cave it called its home. The third head, growing out of the back grunted in annoyance upon being awakened and the Muur-Kami turned its neck to growl menacingly at the protesting appendage.

The head cowered behind the others, features barely discernible in the blackness of the cave; the Muur-Kami resumed its padding towards the mouth of the cave while bones—some animal, and some human—crunched underfoot. It had been a while since a meal presented itself. Especially one of the Others, a being from a different place, newly born to this world and weak. Drool dripped from its open maw as it remembered the taste of sweet marrow that could only belong to the Others. It had been many years since such a meal, but time was of no consequence to the Muur-Kami.

The heads adjoined to its back shrieked joyfully as it stalked towards the center of the forest. It arrived quickly, peering out at the weakling Other as it gasped for air, struggling. It wouldn't be long before night arrived, the blight of the infernal sun gone and the Muur-Kami would pounce. Oh, how it would feast! The heads tittered in excitement and it let them enjoy themselves as it continued to watch, crimson eyes glued to its prey. Inky tendrils of oily blackness rising from between the growth of heads along its back weaved to and fro in the air patiently. These four tentacles could not stretch very far but they were strong, easily providing aid when the Muur-Kami hunted.

A Long Walk

Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and its characters are the property of Naoko Takeuchi and Kodansha.

A Long Walk

Ami panted for breath, her right hand slipping out of her pajama bottoms. Her hand was damp, fingers sticky and wet, her throat dry as she heaved for air. The urge to cry already overwhelmed her and she didn't fight it, instead she allowed the tears to run freely. Curling up into a fetal position she wondered when it would end once and for all. The pain, guilt, sadness, lust and last of all, love. The love for someone who had no intention of ever loving her.

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

The clock on the wall above her head clicked disapprovingly onto two a.m. When will you stop this torture? It seemed to ask and Ami seconded the sentiment. She was wide awake, restless. The exertion of satisfying herself had long ago ceased to make her tired. Laying still for a moment her mind raced. Studying held no appeal. Neither did swimming. Many nights she stayed awake like this. Sometimes she was captured in a fretful sleep which left her bleary eyed and sluggish throughout the day.

Water Lilies: Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven: Temptation

The first one to get dressed, Ami stood outside the front door of the house for a moment, deeply breathing in the night air. Asking Makoto to go on a ride with her had been purely impulsive, a whim to get rid of nervousness due to the sudden intimacy of sitting together in the homey kitchen. However, the summer night, balmy and highlighted by silver moonlight didn't seem to be helping; she felt more anxious than ever. Taking several deep breaths she headed towards the garage.

One particular thought, though, kept bothering her. Either it had slipped Makoto's mind that Ami kissed her back or Makoto just didn't want to mention it, preferring to shoulder the blame herself. Both theories had the smaller woman experiencing guilt for not coming clean about her own willing participation. When it happened, she had wanted that kiss, wanted it much more than Makoto might ever imagine. Stopping in front of the open garage door, the moment replayed itself in her head. Her hand came up to lightly rub her lips as the memory unveiled itself. Makoto's lips had felt so very right against her own, not to mention how good the brunette was at kissing.

Just what am I doing? She shook her head to dispel the picture and its accompanying feelings.

Verdantia :Chapter One

Chapter One: The Speaking Stones

A pristine blue sky spread overhead, vast, never-ending, but it could be hardly seen under the thick canopy of the forest. Nevertheless, Ami enjoyed the walk; every so often through a break in the luscious foliage she caught a glimpse of the gorgeous clear sky. Cool under the trees, she was happy to be wearing her woolen cloak over her favorite white tunic with dark filigree patterns around the collar and the edge of the three-quarter sleeves. A long, flowing skirt hugged her waist, the hem fluttering around her calves, just an inch above the lace-up moccasin boots she wore. Ami found the boots were not only comfortable to hike in but they protected her legs from the underbrush.

Today she was collecting herbs but it certainly did not feel like any kind of work to her. She paused in her forward motion for a moment to appraise her surroundings. Nearby a low plant with flowers similar to daisies caught her eye, the petals small and white with a center of gold.

Ah, feverfew.

Her hand was a few inches from the plant when a loud crackling sound reverberated through the forest air. She froze when what sounded like thunder followed, booming, echoing throughout the forest. As the noise continued birds shrieked and scattered into the air, dark petals taking wing into the blue cloudless sky. In all her years of living on the outskirts of the forest she had never heard a noise quite like it. Through clear patches of canopy and undergrowth she could hear and see all manner of winged and legged wildlife as they fled from the peculiar sound, which seemed to originate from deep inside the Inner Forest.

Water Lilies: Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten: The Scent of Jasmine

Soft lips moving under hers responsively, a sigh of contentment emitted from deep within...

Makoto opened her eyes and sighed. Sitting up and pushing aside her covers forcefully, she stalked into the bathroom. It was the same dream again, the one where she was kissing Ami. And Ami was kissing her back just as intensely. The first time it happened she had been home for a week and the dream left her feeling rather puzzled upon waking. Now it happened often, whenever she thought of writing or calling Ami. For some reason or another it made her nervous and so she held off contacting the woman.

Makoto ran a hand through her mahogany hair in frustration as she stood in front of her bathroom mirror. Her hair looked wild, random strands sticking out of the brown mass. The skin under her eyes was starting to look dark due to the restless nature of her sleep. Not once had she ever felt so confused about someone in her entire life. Of all people to leave her so distracted: Ami was her friend, she couldn't be feeling this way. And why only now? Makoto was fully aware something had changed between her and Ami during her last visit to Yukikura. But what?

The thought that she found Ami attractive and wanted her was a new one for Makoto. Yes, she had always known Ami was good looking but she had never before seen her in such a light. Deep down she knew she was being unfair; from the moment they met to the present, she viewed Ami as the sixteen year old she met in university but somehow during the course of the past few visits she came to see her finally as a grown woman. Makoto had to admit to herself that Ami was so very appealing.

Verdantia: Prologue

Disclaimers: The character Makoto Kino belongs to Naoko Takeuchi. Margie and Ran are mine, as is this particular plot. If the idea of same-sex relationships offend you then please find something more better suited to your tastes. Thank you. 

Prologue

Somewhere in downtown Manhattan, a little bar called The Cat's Paw sat nestled between a Greek restaurant and an electronics shop. Inside, smoke hung in the air, still and thick. Makoto Kino sat at the bar staring down into her drink. In a moment of self pity she thought to herself, I can't do this anymore.

"How long are you going to sit there feeling sorry for yourself?" Margie asked. In her early forties, wisdom and youth contrasted and entwined in her dark eyes. In another time and place Margie would have been a gypsy. At the moment she was a bar owner, welcoming the lost and the weary. Dispensing advice and the occasional home cooking, she was like a second mother to Makoto. Almost.

"Makoto!"

Her head snapped up at Margie's tone. "How long are you going to stay like that? That girl wasn't worth your time and she knew it. Although I do wish she would have picked a better way to let you know."

Makoto sighed. "It doesn't matter. I'm done with women." She downed the drink and passed her glass to Margie. Margie looked at Makoto. She hadn't changed much since the first time she walked into the bar seven years ago.