“Talking.” ‘Thinking.’ @;->-- Change of scene/time /Quick flash back./ @;->--@;->--@;->--@;->--@;->--@;->--@;->--@;->--@;->--@;->@;->--@;-> Makoto staggers into the hospital, cursing fluently. She had her sleeve tied around her upper arm in a crude bandage. “E-excuse me miss?” A nurse approaches her cautiously. “B-but could you please...” She trails off, glancing in the waiting room. Makoto follows the look and curses again. “Sorry.” She bites her lip and turns to face the glaring parents. “I am so sorry. But I-“ Makoto gasps and steps away. “Sorry.” “What happened?” Wanda gently takes Makoto’s hand and leads her through the emergency doors. “How much blood have you lost?” “I’m not sure...” Makoto shakes her head, taking a seat on the mattress. “I’ve been bleeding for about ten minutes now.” She takes two gloves and eyes them curiously. “You know, I haven’t been in a hospital in...” She releases her breath. “Who knows how long.” “What’s your name?” Wanda ties the sleeve and disposes of it. “Kino...Makoto Kino.” Makoto grins and holds out her hand. Wanda stops suddenly and shakes her head. “No...” She shakes her head again. “You can’t be.” “Sure I am.” Makoto frowns in confusion. She reaches into her bag, pulls out a leather wallet, and hands Wanda her health card and birth certificate. “See? Kino Makoto. Born in Tokyo, Japan. December 5th, 1985.” “But, you...never mind.” Wanda checks the cut on Makoto’s upper arm and grunts. “How’d this happen?” “Some guy wanted my uncles car. We had a disagreement and he tried to stab me.” Makoto shrugs, putting on one glove. “These things are pretty snug for gloves.” “That’s how they were designed.” A doctor walks in with a chart at hand. He steps in front of Makoto and inspects the injury. “Five stitches should so it.” “It’s just a flesh wound.” Makoto waves off his concern. “How’s Mr. Mizuno? Ah...Walter.” “I’m sorry Miss...Kino.” The doctor gives the health card back to Wanda. “But that’s classified. I’ll be back with the needle and thread-“ “How is he?” Makoto growls suddenly. Ignoring the pain, she takes hold of his collar and lifts him up, an inch off the ground. “Tell me Doctor...Parisk.” She mocks. “Or you will need the needles and thread.” “I-I’m not sure-aurg!” Makoto hoists him up another inch, wincing but not giving in. “It’s just a flesh wound.” She repeats to Wanda, quickly turning her attention back to the doctor. “How is Walter Mizuno?” “H-he’s lost a lot of blood.” He squeaks; sounding more like a boy in puberty than a full-grown man. Makoto looks down to see him soil himself. “Ew...” Makoto lowers him to the ground. Looking around, she reaches over for a glass of water. She pours it on his white shirt, over the belt line. “Now. Don’t tell anyone about this, and we won’t tell anyone about...well...have a good one.” She opens the door for him. She starts apologizing profusely and walks him out the door. After he left, Makoto slams the door. “Stupid bastard.” “Okay. So you are Makoto.” Wanda mumbles to herself. “Why isn’t Mr. Mizuno being treated?” Makoto turns on her. “Don’t get mad at me.” Wanda walks backwards until her knees touch the chair. “The blood bank was robbed and so was the expected shipment.” “Who would want a bunch of blood?” Makoto goes over and sits in the wheel chair, ignoring Wanda’s staring. “I feel so helpless...” “Why?” “I came-“ Makoto stops herself. She clears her throat and tries again. “What blood type is Mizuno?” “Oh positive.” “That’s great!” Makoto smiles with sudden inspiration. She stands up, taking Wanda with her and starts out the door. “I want you to get ready for a blood transfusion. Tell the others that you have a match and-“ “Wait.” Wanda pulls Makoto to a stop. “You can give blood, yet. Not in your condition.” “Huh? Oh this.” Makoto looks at her already healing cut and shrugs. There wasn’t much they could do for it. Her senshi powers would heal it soon enough. “So I lost a little blood. I could loose a little more.” She pulls Wanda further down the hall and stops. “Now. Where are we?” She looks around, spotting a bunch of kids staring at her. Wanda starts laughing suddenly. @;->-- 10 September 2003 Kaya steps off the bus, yawning. She had barely slept last night. “Why don’t you just call Makoto?” “Because if I did, she’ll ask me where I am.” Ami takes her mother’s hand and walks towards the hospital. They had had to return the rental yesterday so now their mode of transportation is a bus. “Then why don’t you just tell her?” Kaya kneads her tired eyes, hoping it’ll wake her up a little more. “What do you think she’d do or how she’d...” Ami trails off. The limo they had seen was still there, only this time the driver was standing outside, grinning at them. “Feel.” “Ami Mizuno?” The driver grins at them both. Even though he was asking, it looked as though he already knew who they were. “Yes.” Ami replies hesitantly. “This is for you.” The driver pulls a red rose from behind his back. “I hope you like it.” He gives it to Ami and gets inside the limo before she could say anything. “Uh...Thanks.” Ami holds the red rose and allows herself to be lead into the hospital. Inside was Wanda, grinning from ear to ear. “Hello, Wanda...” Wanda just continues grinning and gives Ami a white rose. “Happy birthday Aims.” Wanda drapes her arm across Ami’s back, prepared to lead her to her father when Dr. Parisk walks up to them. “It’s your birthday?” He asks, going for casual. “Uh huh.” Ami replies dumbly. “Well, then. Wait here, I might have something.” Dr. Parisk walks down the hall and into his office. On his desk was another rose; a yellow rose. He picks it out of the vase and walks back out to give it to Ami. “Happy birthday, Miss Mizuno.” Turning back to his charts, he walks off. “Th-thanks.” Ami blushes, looking down at her three roses. She walks down the hall and turns left but Wanda tries to pull her right. “I’m beginning to feel popular.” She mumbles to herself. “We had to move your father last night.” “Oh, god. Is he okay?” Ami’s face suddenly goes pale at the thought of her father barely living on- “He’s better than okay.” Wanda pulls the still frightened looking Ami down the halls and into a room. She stops at the door and holds Kaya back. She crosses her lips with her finger, an international signal for silence. Kaya nods and only then did Wanda let her through. “Papa?” Ami blinks back tears. She rushes to the other side of the bed and sits there. “Are you okay? How are you feeling? Did-“ “I’m fine.” Walter laughs. He turns over and reaches for something in his cabinet and gives it to Ami. It was another rose. It was a red-tipped pink rose. “Happy birthday, darling. Just add it to your collection.” “Dad...” She puts them all in one hand and throws her arms around him. He moans and she pulls back just a quickly. “I’m so sorry. But I-“ “Just help me sit up?” “Sorry.” Ami reaches over to help him but he groans again. “Other side, Ami...” Walter glances over at the grinning Wanda and winks. “Right.” Ami hurries to the other side of the bed and reaches over to sit him up. She quickly fluffs the pillow to make him more comfortable. “How’s that?” “Better thanks.” Walter watches Ami through amused eyes, anticipating...something. “What?” Ami smiles warily. She stands up and takes a step back. Suddenly an arm snakes around her shoulders, holding a rose under her nose. She tenses before astonishment loosens her up. “A blue rose?” She takes it gingerly in her hands like a fragile object that could break at any moment. Ami turns her head slowly and finds herself nose-to-nose, peering into emerald eyes. “Makoto?” “Happy birthday.” Makoto whispers haughtily. Grinning, she steps back. “Makoto!” Ami turns and throws her arms around Makoto’s neck. With her arms around Ami’s waist, Makoto spins her once then puts her down, holding her close. A million questions ran through Ami’s mind. But only one kept repeating itself. “What are you doing here?” She pulls back, but only enough to clearly see Makoto’s face. “It’s your birthday.” Makoto brings her hand up and lightly brushes Ami’s hair behind her ear. “And I thought you’d want me to be here.” “Oh, I do.” Ami pulls Makoto into another hug, this time not so desperate but more like close friends or casual lovers. “But...why?” “...Because there no place I would rather be...” Makoto kindly lets go of Ami but continues to hold her hand. She turns to face Kaya. Kaya looks at her baffled. She just grins and pulls her into a friendly hug. Kaya finally laughs and returns it. “Thank you, Koto.” Ami looks up at Makoto, noticing that her hair was messy and she had bags under her eyes. She also notices that Makoto was wearing her father’s sweater. “What happened?” “I had a long trip.” To prove her point, Makoto yawns, her eyes suddenly become droopy and the tired grin stays. “I would have got here earlier but most all the planes here were already packed.” “I can’t believe you got on a plane just to get here.” Ami shakes her head and pulls Makoto into another hug. This time grateful. “Guess wishes came true, after all.” Wanda yawns. “That’s great.” Makoto yawns. She shakes her head and laughs. “They’re contagious I tell ya.” She stifles a giggle when Ami yawns, then Kaya. “I see.” Ami giggles nervously. The room falls silent, Makoto and Wanda grinning tiredly and Kaya and Walter were uncomfortable and Ami was...well Ami was grinning too. She shakes her head. “Now I don’t know what to do.” “Really?” Makoto looks down at Ami, surprised. “Yeah. Ah...” Ami looks down and frowns. “Why are you wearing your uniform?” “Huh? Oh, ha ha.” Makoto chuckles nervously. “Ah...” What’s she supposed to say? [The truth.] She clears her throat. “I’m going to steal Ami for a while, okay?” “Sure.” Walter starts grinning at her. “Be sure to feed her.” Kaya demands lightly. “I’m going to talk with Walter.” She takes the seat at the bedside and starts talking to him in hushed tones. “Take her.” Wanda shrugs and turns to leave. “I’ve got to go.” She stops, turns around and hugs both Makoto and Ami. “Thank you for making her happy.” Wanda whispers into Makoto’s ear before leaving. “We’ll see you later.” Makoto calls back, walking out hand-in-hand with Ami. “You haven’t been eating?” She asks her firmly, clearly expecting an honest answer. “Well I have.” But...Ami sighs. “But not much. And I’m having a hard time sleeping.” She admits reluctantly. ‘And I had an anxiety attack yesterday.’ Ami walks out of the hospital and stops. “Come on.” Makoto grins, tugging at her hand. “Miss Kino.” The driver waves, puts the phone down and walks around to open the door. “What’s wrong?” Makoto takes her other hand and leads her to the limo. She gets in first and pulls Ami in after her. The driver closes the glass-tinted door. Ami just stares at her in silent question. Makoto chuckles, sitting back. “I’ve got my connections.” She shrugs it off and casually reaches for the phone. She dials a number and waits for someone to pick up. “Ah. Hello...yes.” Makoto glances at Ami. “No...I need to-...no!” She chuckles. “Never mind...We might need a place to stay for a few days...yes...thank you. You’re a life saver...Yes, I love you too...Hnkay...bye.” She hangs up the phone and turns back to Ami. “We’ve got a place to stay.” “I’ve already got a place to stay.” “A hotel?” “Yes.” “Hm.” Makoto nods. “We’ve got a place to stay.” She repeats in a more concrete tone. She pulls Ami towards her and wraps her arms around her loosely. She rests her head on tops of Ami’s and closes her eyes. “Ma’am?” “Huh?” Makoto opens her eyes. “Oh...somewhere to eat, Dave.” “...Where?” “Your pick.” Makoto closes her eyes again. “...Yes, ma’am.” He closes the window between them and starts driving. “Makoto?” “Hm...”? “Wh...” Ami feels Makoto’s breathing even up and sighs. She turns around so Makoto’s holding her from behind. She looks at Makoto’s bag curiously but shrugs it away. She turns back around so that they’re both lying across the seat and closes her own eyes. “Thanks...” @;->-- “Ma’am?” Dave shakes them both gently. “Makoto...” He grins mischievously and plugs Makoto’s nose. She opens her eyes like she was awake and looks at him, grinning. He pulls back, blushing. He straightens his tie in an attempt to regain his dignity. “I...you...food.” “What?” She looks around the limo and yawns. “This is good.” She grins. The last couple of times she woke up were in an old car and a beat up truck. “That sounds like a song.” She mumbles. “You fell asleep.” Ami looks up at Makoto and smiles. “When was the last time you slept?” “Now I know who’s singing...” Makoto grins. She sits up carefully then kneads her eyes. “Other than now...sometime yesterday.” She shrugs. “What’s for lunch?” “I’ve got you some take-out.” He hands them both a bag of A&W and two large drinks. “Two mama burger combos with root beer.” He winks before stepping out of the car. He holds the door open. “You can eat it out back, Miss Makoto.” “Thank you Dave. I’d like you to go back and assist Mr and Mrs Mizuno.” Makoto gets out of the car first, carrying the pop tray, Ami soon after, with the food. They get out of the car and walk through an amazingly large yard. “Wow.” Ami sighs. She turns around and gasps. Behind them was a huge mansion. “Kino estates.” Makoto replies, watching Ami’s expression curiously. “Kino...” Ami looks at Makoto with honest to god amazement. She shakes her head and laughs. Trying to ignore the mansion, Ami takes Makoto’s hand and walks to the table set for two... “Tell me about your little journey.” She moves the seat closer to Makoto’s and sits down. “I knew you’d ask.” Makoto shuffles uncomfortable. She takes her seat, pulling out a little blue book. “This is it.” She takes a deep breath and hands it to Ami. “All of it.” “All.” Ami repeats, taking to book. Makoto hands her fries, too, as she starts reading from the beginning. “I may have rambled a bit in some spots and vague in others, but it’s all there.” She starts drinking her pop. ‘Nervous energy.’ Makoto assumes. @;->-- “You do know that you’re going to have to get back on a few planes, right?” Ami asks. She looks up at Makoto, a content smile on her face. “Yes. But this time I’ll have you with me.” Makoto pushes back Ami’s sweat plastered hair and kisses her forehead. “How are you feeling?” “A little sore.” Ami rests her head on Makoto’s glistening chest and yawns. “I’m sorry-“ “It’s alright. You were gentle, Koto.” Ami whispers against Makoto’s lips. She slides her head down to rest on Makoto’s shoulders. Right now, they were outside, naked except for each other and a blanket. Ami was straddling Makoto who was holding onto her in a loose but firm embrace. “Why do you call me Koto?” Makoto asks idly. “I...heard your father call you that and...I guess it just stuck.” Ami pulls back so she could clearly look at Makoto. “Do you want me to stop?” “No.” Makoto kisses the tip of Ami’s nose and pulls her closer. Together, they watch the sun set before turning in. The sun itself was a thick orange and the sky glowed red, orange, yellow and pink before it started going dark. Makoto lays Ami down in the bed and covers her up. With the blanket wrapped around her shoulders, she turns to leave. “Don’t.” Ami reaches out and takes Makoto’s hand. “Don’t leave me. Stay.” “But...” Makoto glances back, her resolve dissolving. With a tired smile, Makoto walks around the bed and gets in on the other side. Both she and Ami move closer so they were both lying in the middle, in each other’s arms. “You’re stuck with me now, Aims.” “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Ami mumbles into the blankets. “I think I’m in love with you.” Makoto kisses the top of Ami’s head and strokes her arm affectionately. She sighs. ‘It’s too early. Far to early.’ Makoto takes Ami’s hand and entwines their fingers, loosening her up. “Do you mean it?” There was no room for hesitation. “With all my heart and soul.” Makoto looks down at Ami. “I’m in love with you, Mizuno Ami.” “And I you, Kino Makoto.” Ami leans up and presses her lips to Makoto’s. “I’m so in love with you.”
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