Chibiusa loved Hotaru’s room. Hotaru enjoyed collecting lamps, usually only lighting a few at a time, creating a perfect, peaceful ambience. Chibiusa had situated herself on Hotaru’s bed, sprawled out, but with her hands behind her head. She closed her eyes, loving the feel of the satin sheets beneath her. In the background she could hear water running, as Hotaru took a shower. Chibiusa glanced at the closed door of the bathroom, smiling to herself.
Only moments before, Michiru had dragged off a very reluctant wind senshi out of the house. As Hotaru and Chibiusa were giggling, Michiru invited the pink-haired girl to stay over again (if she wanted to), told them to be careful and that they’d be back in awhile. She waved good bye to the girls and then focused all her attention on her partner (who, upon the word “awhile” gave a rather loud snort, which she hastily tried turning into a cough). Both girls ran upstairs, laughing at the guilty look on Haruka’s face. It was barely noon, so they decided to catch an afternoon showing around 1:30, or so. After that, Hotaru jumped in the shower, leaving Chibiusa to her thoughts.
Now, Chibiusa began to think about the circumstances that brought her here. Of course, it all started with the meeting at the park, but now that she remembered it, it was before then. Her mother had sent her back, telling her to meet new friends because those special encounters would help her later in life. Was her friendship with Hotaru that special encounter? The pink haired girl frowned. Also, she never remembered seeing any of the outer senshi (besides Puu) in her timeline. Would her going back to the past draw them out when she returned? Chibiusa rubbed her temple in confusion. Perhaps she was thinking a bit too much about the whole thing. She turned her thoughts on her friend, which, she thought, could be just as baffling. Once again, her eyes came to rest on the bathroom door. She absolutely adored her.
Even now, she could here herself ramble. Her mother always smiled at her as she listened, as if she knew something the young girl didn’t. But Chibiusa never paid attention. She begged her mom to go back to the past, in order for her to be with her new friend. In so many ways, Hotaru was her opposite. Where she was out going and tended to be loud, Hotaru was calm and quiet. Because of her reserved attitude, many of her classmates teased her. Chibiusa never quite understood why Hotaru never stood up for herself, but whenever she had the chance, the pink haired girl was always defending her. They had been through many things together, the latest thing being Chibiusa taking care of a baby Hotaru and then coming back every so often to watch her grow up. It had been very upsetting for the pink haired girl to see her friend like that but thankfully, because of Hotaru’s role as a senshi, she grew up rather quickly.
The bathroom door flew open, causing Chibiusa to jolt upright. She didn’t even hear the shower turn off. I couldn’t have been thinking that hard, she thought. But the next thing she saw wiped any and all thoughts far from mind. Hotaru had run into the room, in nothing but a towel.
Chibiusa blushed, averting her eyes quickly.
Hotaru, however, didn’t seem to notice.
“I’m sorry, Chibiusa-chan, I forgot something, I’ll hurry,” Hotaru said quickly, as she ran to her dresser.
No rush, Chibiusa thought. Now that Hotaru seemed busy, Chibiusa had no problem looking at her partially covered friend. Hotaru had her towel bunched up at the front so that every curve was showing. Why can’t the towel just fall, she thought. She bit her bottom lip at the thought and then quickly covered her face with her hands. What was she thinking? That’s not a normal thought one should have about their best friend!
Hotaru was doing her best to hurry. She chanced a glance at her friend, somewhat perplexed as to why she had her face buried in her hands. She didn’t want to make her friend uncomfortable, but it seemed to be happening anyway. It was very silent and although Hotaru enjoyed silences, somehow she figured that this was what they called “awkward”.
“Uhm, Chibiusa-chan, I’ll be ready in a sec. If you’re bored or something, you can go downstairs,” she said as Chibiusa berated herself silenly.
Oh great, Chibiusa thought, panicking, she must’ve caught me looking at her. This is almost more embarrassing than the time I fell into the pond back home. At least I have my clothes on this time. Hmm…well, if I didn’t have my clothes on now…Gah! What is wrong with me?!
“Uh, I think that’s a pretty good idea, I’m just gonna go get something to drink.” Chibiusa slid off the bed and walked out. She stopped at the doorway as if to say something, but nothing came out. Instead, she closed the door, leaving a very puzzled Hotaru by herself.
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