Water Lilies: Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen: Déjà Vu

Tokyo Station, the busiest of all stations located in the large city teemed with all sorts of visitors intent on reaching their destinations. Announcements for arriving and departing trains were broadcasted overhead in a courteous if somewhat robotic monotone. A group of three, two adults and a child stood by one of the many idling trains. Goodbye hugs already dispensed, Chibi-Usa and her mother waved at Ami cheerily as she boarded the train car. "Goodbye, aunt Ami! Please visit us again!"

"Yes aunt Ami, please visit again. We miss you!" Usagi chimed in with a playful smile.

Ami smiled at the two females waving at her, so alike in their enthusiasm. If Usagi had been much younger, or Chibi-Usa much older, she would have sworn the two were siblings instead of mother and daughter.

"How would you like to visit me instead? The Fall festival will be here soon." Ami called back through the open doorway of the train car. The idea to extend an invitation had struck her the night before but with Makoto constantly in her thoughts all else had been delegated to the back of her mind.

Chibi-Usa turned and wide red eyes to her mother, "Could we, Mom?" The excited question was loud enough for Ami to hear over the bustling mass in the station.

Water Lilies: Chapter Sixteen

Disclaimer:  the lyrics for "Do What You Have To Do" is the property of Sarah McLachlan and Nettwerk/Arista Records. 

Chapter Sixteen: A Mission of Love

Ami sighed, staring down at the book in her hands without seeing the words. It had been three weeks since she returned from Otari Village with Makoto. Sitting in the living room, she attempted to read the novel she started a week ago. I wonder what Makoto is doing now? Is she sleeping well? Probably. I'm the only one who had her heart broken for the millionth time. An exhausted feeling swept through her and she sighed again; she had not slept well at all upon returning home. Each night had passed with very few hours of fitful sleep.

Her days at work were not any better; she barely made it through the hours and avoided all efforts made by Yuri to talk outside of work. She was well aware of the concerned looks the young woman kept shooting her way. She did not think she could go through a conversation about her listless manner or an absent Makoto, no matter how well-intentioned Yuri wanted to be.

I did say we were two adults simply enjoying each other's company. Stupid of me really-it was not that simple after all.

Water Lilies: Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen: Painful Reminders

Makoto was glad the day remained beautiful and clear when she stepped out of the ryokan with Ami in tow. She volunteered to drive and they easily found a family restaurant thanks to Ami's recollection of passing one on the way into the village. Ten minutes later they were in a small parking lot filled with cars and the few odd trucks and motorcycles. Within moments they were seated and served beverages by a cheerful middle-aged waitress. Menus were whisked away as they quickly settled on what they wanted to eat: Ami picked a simple salad topped with avocado and pears, and as the restaurant offered an all-day breakfast menu Makoto chose a platter of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.

With the waitress out of hearing distance Makoto frowned at Ami. "That can't be all you're eating."

"Why not? It's healthy and delicious."

"It's rabbit food," Makoto growled good-naturedly and Ami laughed.

The doctor's laughter was infectious but movement behind Ami caught Makoto's attention and she glanced beyond the woman's shoulder. Ami's back was to the door and Makoto sat facing her, which provided an excellent view of the entrance. A family of three had just entered, the man leading the way with a grim look on his face while his harried-looking wife trailed after him. A little dark-haired girl all of five years old held onto the woman's hand.

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 Nine

Chapter Nine: Fireside Confessions

 Yukikura, three months ago:

"She likes you," Makoto stated, effortlessly stepping over the large rock in her path. The late April day was cool but not cold, a perfect day for hiking the botanist mentioned and Ami had to agree with her. Earlier in the day Makoto had decided to kill two birds with one stone by asking Ami if she wanted to take a hike to see the water lilies. It had been purely a whim on Makoto's part asking her suddenly but Ami was happy to reply immediately with a yes.

"Huh?" The query was a little more than a huff of air as Ami stepped over the rock as well. Apparently while riding her bike gave her exercise, it was not enough to keep her in the same shape as the fit brunette.

"What are you talking about, Makoto?"

"Yuri. She likes you."

Ami shook her head even though the brunette could not see her. "Impossible."

The botanist turned around, "Why is it so impossible? She was beside herself when asking you over for dinner. You didn't see the way she looked at you. When was the last time you went on a date anyway?"

"It's not a date, it's just dinner at her place. She's a nice young woman, that's all." Ami insisted. There was no way Yuri could be interested in her. Although, Ami had in fact noticed the young woman was attractive but that was the extent of it. "Anyway, you shouldn't spy on others."

Makoto made a noise that could be determined as rude but she didn't speak.

"And," Ami added, "I made it a rule not to date people I work with."

Makoto paused, waiting for Ami to catch up. "You have too many self imposed rules. You, my friend, need to loosen up," she said lightly. Casting an appraising eye on Ami, Makoto took in the appearance of the short silky blue hair, deep eyes, pink lips and creamy skin. Ami, as usual, did not seem to know how physically attractive she was.

Water Lilies: Chapter Five

Chapter Five: Discovery

My little sister.

Ami awoke to to the echoing of Makoto's words from the previous evening coupled with the shrieking of her alarm. Even though it was Saturday she always got up early. Today she felt like staying in bed, it would take too much energy to simply get up.

Of course Makoto couldn't possibly want someone like me.

A knock on her door interrupted further thought.

"Ami? Are you awake?" A soft, tentative voice drifted through the door.

The urge to burrow deeper under her covers came over her but she knew Usagi probably wouldn't leave her alone until they spoke. The blonde spared her from answering however, when she spoke again.

"I'll come back later."

Ami squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to let more tears have their way with her. Over the course of the previous evening she had shed too many, even after she left Usagi to the final bit of cleaning. Curled up in bed, she cried to herself; her logical mind could not comprehend why humans chose to pursue an emotion like love when it had such negative repercussions. Giving in, she pulled the covers over her head with the thought that it might not be so bad to sleep the day away.

Water Lilies: Chapter Four

Chapter Four: Fragile Flower

"I know! We'll have a party!"

Ami looked up from the textbook in her lap. It took her a moment to realize what Usagi was referring to. "Are you sure?" She asked with a worried frown.

The blonde ignored her roommate's expression, "Yes! It's not everyday a girl turns seventeen."

The younger woman hesitated. "I don't know, Usagi..."

"Stop being such a wallflower!" The blonde got up from her seat and danced around the room, "It's time to become a butterfly. A social butterfly! Emerge from that cocoon of yours." She waved her arms about, as if they were butterfly wings.

Ami placed a hand in front of her mouth as her lips twitched at Usagi's antics. "Wouldn't that make me a caterpillar instead of a wallflower?" She asked dryly.

"Emergggge." Usagi sang, as she fluttered about their living room.