"Ok Chibi, time for bed." "Mommy, I want a story." "A story! I love to tell stories. Once upon a time there was a beautiful blonde princess...." "No, Mommy! I want to hear a different story. Tell me a story about Auntie Ami and Auntie Makoto. They told me about when they first met, but I think I fell asleep just at the good part." "Ami and Makoto? Hmmph. Well, ok I guess. Let's see...." "When did you figure out that they were in love, Mommy?" "Well, one day Mommy and her friends were sitting in the temple having tea...." ------- "Awwww, c'mon you guys.... it will be a lot of fun." For the better part of a week, Minako had been bugging the rest of the senshi to have a 'girls night out'. While no one really opposed this suggestion (It had been ages since they'd done such a thing), her particular idea had aroused considerably less interest and support: Karaoke. Using her finely honed warrior skills, Minako decided to focus her assault upon the most vulnerable, and simultaneously, the most critical point. "Usaaaagiiiiiii, you're the Moon Princess. Order them to come along with us. I'll sing a duet with you. Any song you want!" Usagi's blue eyes tightened as she considered the offer. "Hmmmm... anything? Even that song by that hunky new boy band from Kyoto?" "Usagi! Won't you ever grow up!," Rei yelled. "We're in college now. You're too old to be listening to those insipid boy bands!" "Like those moldy oldies you listen to are worth singing, Rei" Usagi replied. "I agree with Minako, we all need some time together and karaoke will be fun!" Glaring at Rei, she added quietly, "Even if some of us couldn't carry a tune in a bucket." "Ooooo, just you wait and see, 'princess'. I'm in!" Rei said, banging the table and, perhaps not accidentally, spilling some tea on Usagi. While Usagi and Rei relived their teenage years by engaging in one of their famous brawl/tantrums, and Minako struggled to prevent the destruction of the tea set, Makoto and Ami shared a smile. Leaning over, Makoto whispered in Ami's ear, "Do you want to stop them, or should I? Or should we just let them get it out of their systems?" 'She smells so nice, like a mountain stream on a crisp spring day," Makoto thought as she paused ever so briefly before pulling her head back. Ami raised her hand to her mouth, to stifle a giggle. She hoped that Makoto didn't notice the tremble, or that sudden shiver in her shoulders. "I think I can stop them," she said with a sly smile. Raising her voice, Ami announced, "After thinking it over, I agree that karaoke will be a wonderful way for us to spend some time together. I had the most interesting class last semester on sociology and we did an entire unit on the role of music in society. I'd love to see if some of the items we discussed apply in our modern society." "Aaaaammmiiiii, you're making our night out sound like a study session," Usagi moaned, disengaging herself from Rei and sitting back at the table as if nothing unusual had occurred. (For indeed, nothing had.) "Yeah, Aims, we want to sing, not do a research paper," Rei agreed. "And if we go, you have to sing too. The last time we went, you didn't sing even one song." Ami blushed, "I suppose it would not be fair for me not to sing. Maybe I can join one of you on stage." Makoto smiled, "I think I could handle that. We can do back up for Usagi or Mina. Well, I've gotta get going. See ya!" Makoto rose to leave, but paused at the door. "Hey Aims, I thought you had to get home early tonight to study. Want me to walk you home?" "Oh dear, I'd lost track of the time," Ami replied, gathering her things. "Thank you, Mako, that would be fun!" As the two of them left, Minako turned to her soon-to-be co- conspirators and said, "See? Do you believe me now?" ----------------------------- "....and so, later that day, we made some plans." "Mommy, you mean Auntie Mina figured it out first? I thought you were the Moon Princess. Why didn't you guess?" "Well, she IS the Senshi of Love, dear, and I was...distracted.. by your father. She may have noticed first, but what happened later was all my idea." ------------------------------ "Usagi, they sat about 3 inches apart, they never took their eyes off each other, and when they left they were all but holding hands. Haven't you wondered why Ami spends so much time over at Makoto's? I know that she's lonely since her mom moved to Germany, but they might as well go buy a condo together they're together so often. Why are you having a problem seeing what is right in front of you!" Rei shouted. "But if they were... that way..." "The word is 'lesbian', meatball head. I'd think you'd have picked it up after we finally explained to you about Haruka and Michiru," Rei interrupted. "I know that, Rei," Usagi replied pointedly. "As I was saying, if they were, then why wouldn't they tell us. They know that we'll always love them no matter what." Minako sighed. "That's the thing, Usagi. I don't think THEY know it yet. Makoto is really only happy when Ami is around, but even then, she's still got all of those defenses up. Haven't you noticed that the only times she mentions her old sempai are when one of us catches her staring at Ami, or when Ami notices?" "Poor Ami!" Usagi whined. "No wonder she always seems so sad. Considering how freaked out she got over those love letters, I can't imagine she'd ever get the nerve to say anything to another girl. No wonder she studies so hard." Rei bashed Usagi on the head with a pillow. "Crying about it isn't going to help our friends! What are we going to do about it? Should we talk to them?" "Can you imagine?" Minako laughed. "'Hey Ami, I couldn't help noticing that every time Makoto is nearby you blush and stammer even as you move closer and closer to her. Heck girl, I think she likes you too! You should go for it.' The poor thing would implode from the embarrassment." "Yeah, and Makoto would either knock my block off or start drooling over the next guy that walked by just to avoid the issue," Rei agreed. As Rei and Minako chuckled over the mental images they'd constructed, Usagi frowned and bit her lip, deep in thought. Slowly, a smile crossed her face. "I think I've got it, but we'll have to work together. First, neither of you can sing with them tomorrow night..." ------------------------------- As Rei and Usagi mismatched yet another attempt at harmony, Makoto winced. Minako had been right, though. This was a fun night. Makoto couldn't remember the last time all five of them had gone out together. The superiority of her cooking to the food in Usagi's residence hall assured her of at least one visit a week from the moon princess, but Rei was more and more preoccupied with business at her temple, espeically since her grandfather had passed on last season. Minako didn't enjoy the food in her residence hall any more than Usagi did, but not being bound to one man by fate meant that she had a lot more boys buying her meals. Sometimes Makoto wondered if Minako had paid for any food or any drink since starting college. And Ami, well since Ami lived alone now too, it only made sense that they spend a lot of time together. Makoto sighed wistfully and turned her attention back to the 'music'. They announced Minako's name as Rei and Usagi sat back down. As the young blonde left toward the stage, Rei turned to Ami, snapping her fingers in front of her eyes. "Mars to Mercury, come in Mercury!" she laughed. "What's up, Aims? Worried about singing in public?" "No, Rei, I was just thinking about something." At first, it had been hard when her mom had left. Ami understood intellectually how important this opportunity was to her mother. She also knew that she could never leave Tokyo, though perhaps she didn't know exactly why that was. It had been hard, at first, but having such wonderful friends had made it easier. Especially Makoto. She made excellent sandwiches, and other foods as well and seemed to enjoy feeding her. Dinners together had lengthened till now they spent most evenings together studying, watching TV, or just sitting together chatting. All in all, Ami had been quite content with the way things had worked out. It was quite a shock, therefore, when she received her first grade that semester: a B+ on a political science essay. It was all Makoto's fault of course; keeping her up talking till late in the night, insisting on going shopping on the weekends, making meals that took both hands to eat and required her presence at the dining room table. Sandwiches eaten over the sink made much more sense while studying! "Still," Ami reflected, "the last few months have been a lot of fun." As she pondered, Ami realized something new. She felt different inside. Something that previously she had only felt in brief bursts, usually after saving the day with her friends, had now taken up permanent residence inside her. She felt light, free. "Oh my. Has it been so long....that I'd forgotten what it is like to be happy?" She looked over to Makoto, hoping that the dim light in the club would hide the blush she could feel on her cheek. "I only feel this way when you are near, Mako-chan," she thought. Though she knew that was a strange thought, it made Ami feel kind of warm and safe, so she let it linger. "Ami, I'm losing you again!" Rei shouted, poking Ami in the side. "Mina is finishing up and I think Usagi is next." Rei crossed her arms and pointed to Ami with a wicked smile. "And that means you!" Usagi simply watched Ami. During Minako's entire song, Ami's eyes had not left Makoto. Usagi doubted Ami had even heard Rei speak. The longing in those blue eyes almost brought a tear to her own. "There are more important things than school, Ami. Please realize that for yourself, before its too late. Please let this work the way I've hoped." Usagi rose, clapping and hooting for her friend. Turning, she extended hands toward Makoto and Ami. "Ok, ladies. This is it. You promised to sing and I'm holding you to it. Now come on!" "But what are we going to sing, Usagi?" Makoto asked with puzzled smile. "You've been so secretive about it. If you'd given me some warning I could have practiced or something. I know my lousy voice is going to ruin your song." Rei and Minako exchanged glances and burst into laughter. "As if anyone's voice could out-lousy meatball head's cackling!" Rei snorted. "I think you all have beautiful voices," Ami said quietly. "Especially you, Mako. You will do just fine, I am certain. I will try not to ruin it for the two of you." "Oh hush now and come on, its our turn!" Usagi grabbed them both and dragged them to the front of the stage. "Its an American song, just read the words and sing along." --------------------------- "Momma, Daddy says your English is so bad that you never got more than a 48 on a test in school. How did you sing a song in English?" "Songs are different, sweetie, and I did too do better than that in school! He said that, did he? I think your Daddy has some explaining to do!" "What does all this have to do with them knowing they loved each other?" "I'm getting to it, if you'll just let me finish!" "Don't yell at me, meatball head mommy!" "Don't call me that! Anyway, the three of us went up to sing...." ------------ "Ok girls," Usagi whispered, "this is something special to me 'cause of Mamoru. I'll start out, and then we'll each do a verse, Ok?' And the music began to play a song that neither Ami nor Makoto were familiar with. They were both able to follow the lyrics, though. After the first verse, Usagi squeezed Makoto's hand and Makoto sang: "I tell myself that I can't hold out forever. I said there is no reason for my fear. Cause I feel so secure when we're together. You give my life direction, you make everything so clear. And even as I wander, I'm keeping you in sight. You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's night. And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might." As she finished her verse and Usagi took up the next verse, Makoto looked over at Ami, heart in her throat. Ami simply stared back at her, confusion and terror on her face. "I'm not singing to her, I'm not. I'm just helping Usagi. She's just nervous about singing. Please don't let her guess. I can't lose her, I can't." "Your turn, Ami," Usagi whispered quickly, "and then we all do the big finale together!" Ami quickly thanked the kami for the distraction, and she sang in a soft, hesitant voice: "My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you. I've been running around in circles in my mind. And it always seems that I'm following you, girl, cause you take me to the places that alone I'd never find." She stopped, a bit early. As Usagi jumped into the vacuum, Ami dared a look over at Makoto. Her own thoughts and emotions were swirling too quickly for her to grasp. Like a ship adrift in a storm, she looked for a safe harbor, but Makoto's eyes were just as stormy as her own. "She knows, she knows how I feel and she's angry. But I can't help it, I can't stop it. Oh Mako-chan please don't be angry with me." Usagi's nails biting into her palm brought her back to the moment. As if from a great distance, Ami could hear Makoto singing. "And I can't fight this feeling anymore. I've forgotten what I started fighting for. It's time to bring this ship into the shore, and throw away the oars forever. Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore, I've forgotten what I started fighting for. And if I have to crawl across the floor, come crashing through the..." "NO!" Ami shouted, "I can't do this!" Tears streamed down her face as she ran from the stage. Pushing through the crowd, she grabbed her jacket and, ignoring Minako and Rei's concern, dashed outside. "Ami! Wait!" Makoto shouted. Turning to Usagi, she growled, "Are you happy now? If anything happens to her...." Without further comment, and without stopping for her coat, Makoto ran after Ami. -------------------- "...and they lived happily ever after!" "Mommy! That's not a happy ending. You were supposed to tell me about when they fell in love, not when you made a mess of everything and got them all mad and upset!" "I did tell you, sweet one. The next time we saw them, they were together and blissfully happy. Obviously, I saved the day! I am a champion of love and justice, after all." "But what happened, Momma!" "Hmmm, well, I'm not sure exactly what happened. They just told us that they'd worked it all out. Now, you go to sleep, little girl! You have a big day tomorrow. Mommy and Daddy have to go on a tour so you'll be spending the evening with your Aunties Haruka and Michiru." "Ok, Mommy. G'night..."
Back to Bedtime Stories Index - Back to Sailor Moon Shoujo-Ai Fanfiction