The Journey Home
The journey home no longer seemed that far, Ami mused, as she walked
down the dampened sidewalk. She seemed oblivious to the slowly
drizzling rain and overcast sky, but a sudden flash of lightening with
it's accompanying clap of thunder brought a sweet and dreamy smile to
her face.
'Makoto,' she thought.
She was no longer surprised by the blush she could feel covering her
cheeks. She was, however, amused that even after all this time just
the thought of her lover could still make her feel shy.
It was four years now since they had first gotten together. She
laughed quietly to herself as she remembered all the wistful looks and
shy words they had shared back then. Any excuse to touch had been a
good one; an arrant lock of hair, a piece of lent, a stray eye lash.
Cookie crumbs on each other cheeks had been an especial favorite of
them both.
"No wonder you were always baking all those cakes and cookies," Ami
had accused her later, after they had begun to date.
"Yeah, ya got me on that one," Makoto had said with a grin. "Of course
back then I couldn't brush them off your cheeks the way I really
wanted to."
"Oh?" Ami had asked. "And how was that?"
"With my lips," had been the whispered response as Makoto had
proceeded to lean forward and dust her lips and cheeks with
feather-light kisses, her touch as soft and gentle as her whispered
breath had been...
Sighing at the sweet memory, Ami smiled and picked up her pace a bit.
With the frenzied rush her life had become since she had entered
medical school, the journey home had become a welcome part of her busy
schedule. It gave her time. Time to think about personal things that
didn't come out of textbooks, lecture halls, cadaver labs and patient
studies. As important as those things were and as fascinating as she
found them, they could never infringe on that special place in her
heart that belonged to Makoto and Makoto alone.
Time. Such a deceptively small word, she mused.
Time had become their enemy for awhile. With the beginning of college
for Ami and entrance into the first of many cooking schools for
Makoto, they had started to find it increasingly difficult to find any
time at all, much less quality time to spend together. The added
responcibilies of additional study, after-school labs, research
papers, catered affairs, and senshi duties had put a tremendous amount
of strain on their relationship. After many stress induced
misunderstandings and arguments, which included both tears and
accusations, they had come to the realization that they were not each
others problem. Time was their common enemy. With the root of the
problem established they were able to seek out the advice of a
professional...and who could be better than the guardian of time
herself? Ami grinned as she remembered the look on Setsuna's face when
both she and Makoto had shown up on her doorstep for 'marriage
counseling'! She had invited them into the living room with a knowing
smile and after returning a few minutes later with a fresh pot of tea,
proceeded to show them how to make time work for, not against them.
Since then, each new day, no matter how hectic it may be, had been an
adventure they could share. They faced each new challenge together,
and what a rush it had been!
The wind picked up a bit and Ami, grateful for the raincoat Makoto had
insisted she take that morning, huddled under her umbrella and watched
the approaching bus with relief. The familiar screech of the air
brakes and splash of the large tires were almost as welcome a sound as
the swish of the large folding door as it opened to invite her out of
the cold and damp. Paying her fare and taking a seat close to the
front, Ami continued to think of their war against time.
After their initial 'session' with Setsuna things had improved
greatly, however the decisive blow had been dealt two years ago.
It had happened one night as Ami was once again preparing to return
home for the night. It had become a part of their established routine
to spend their evenings together, no matter where that may be.
Sometimes it would be at the library or lab of Ami's school, and at
other times, the back of some strange restaurant where Mako had gotten
a chance to study under the direct guidance of some famous chef. More
often than not though, it would be at Makoto's apartment where they
would both 'hunker down' to their books in a deadly serious attempt to
better their future. However...being young and in love did make for
some rather interesting distractions. It may have been an old joke,
but Mako never tired of reminding Ami that if she really wanted to be
a good doctor, the on-going study of human anatomy was very
important...and she would always be willing, even eager, to help!
Smiling secretly to herself, Ami couldn't stop the rush of memories
that came to her as she thought about all the nights they had spent in
the privacy of their own special anatomy lab, where 'the joys of
learning' took on a whole new meaning...
Ami sighed as she watched the people walking down the sidewalks from
the comfort of her seat, her thoughts on her partner.
As a lover, Makoto was...amazing. Of course her experience before
Makoto was limited. Okay, it was nonexistent! But honestly, she
couldn't even begin to imagine that anyone else could satisfy her
more. Truthfully, she really couldn't see anyone else in that
capacity. The people in her life fell into groups; her family, her
friends, her acquaintances, her co-workers, and Makoto, who was in a
class all by herself. She was best friend and lover, as well as
critic, cheering squad, guardian and advocate. As a partner, she was
supportive, encouraging and always interested in her progress. As a
lover, she was tender and giving, yet she carried an underlying
passion that held her captive and took her breath away every time. She
had heard of two people becoming 'as one', but it truly seemed to her
that in those special moments, Makoto really was a part of her. Not
just on a physical level, but a spiritual one as well.
With a slight shiver that had nothing whatsoever to do with her rain
dampened shoes and feet, Ami forced her thoughts to return to the
night, just a little over two years ago, when the time issue had been,
if not solved, at least contained.
They had again spent the evening at Makoto's, where they had gotten a
lot accomplished with their respective studies and had even had time
to spare for 'anatomy lab', but as inevitably happened, the time came
for Ami to return to her mother's house. With the passage of time,
this had started to become more and more difficult.
"Don't go," Makoto had whispered, her breath tickling Ami's ear
gently. "Stay the night," she had said, her arms intimately entangled
around Ami, who clung to her in like fashion at the front door of the
apartment.
With a soft growl of frustration their lips came together again, the
desire to stay and the need to leave playing out their war on the
battleground of the young lovers desire.
"I can't," Ami groaned as she tried to be strong and pull away from
her lovers determined lips.
"Why?" Makoto had asked quickly before launching another assault, this
time on Ami's sensitive neck and ear.
Ami's eye's had rolled in pleasure before she was forced to close them
by the re-awakening fire that she had really only just banked a few
minutes before. Tightening the grip she had on her lover, she could
feel herself giving in to the desire that was never really that far
away when they were together.
"Ami-love," the whispered endearment burned into her consciousness.
"Makoto," she had pleaded, her body trembling with her re-awakened
need. "Please, baby...you're making this so hard..."
"I know," Makoto had said, her pleading eyes locked on Ami's blue
ones. "I don't want you to leave! I don't ever want you to leave!"
The moment had seemed frozen in time.
In that one instance they both seen the 'hand-writing on the wall',
and Ami had gotten an un-obstructed view of Makoto's lonely heart.
Gazing up into that beloved face with it's frame of reddish-brown
hair, still disheveled from their earlier passion, she was struck by
the fear she saw buried there in those beautiful, deep green eyes.
"Mako," she had whispered, raising her hand to caress the cheek of her
suddenly silent thunder senshi. "Sweetheart, what's wrong ?"
"I...uh...," she stammered after a few moments. Then she had
swallowed, and pulling away from their embrace said, "you'll think
it's silly."
Frowning slightly, Ami replied, "I don't think I could find anything
'silly' that affects you like this." As Makoto had started to turn
away, Ami had reached out to stop her, her grip on Makoto's arm firm
and determined. "I'm serious Makoto," she'd said softly. "Talk to me."
The air conditioner chosen that moment to cycle back off and the room
was still as Ami waited, giving her lover time to collect her
thoughts.
"Ami,' she began a few moments later, her voice strained. "I'm tired.
I'm just so damn tired of...of...," Ami watched as she clinched her
jaw and stared up at the ceiling for several seconds before lowering
her head once more to continue softly "...of being alone."
They could hear the wall clock ticking in the next room. They really
didn't care.
"I've spent so much of my life alone, staring at the four walls of
this damn apartment. I guess I'm just sick and tired of coming home
knowing I'll be spending yet another night alone, in the dark, by
myself, in the cold, without another soul to give a damn whether I
even wake up in the morning or not."
Ami started forward in violent protest, stopped only by Makoto's
gentle hand on her forearm.
"I know what you're going to say," she continued, a sad smile on her
face, "and I love you for it! But, you asked me what was wrong and
this is it. This is how I feel, and the fact remains that even though
I know you love me, you still have to leave me most every night.
It...," she swallowed painfully. "It still hurts."
Ami was quiet, her thoughts spinning through her mind like a
whirlwind. Finally, in a quiet voice she had asked, "what do you want
me to do?"
Looking into her eyes with a seriousness Ami had never seen before,
Makoto stated firmly, "I want you to stay. Here. With me. Period."
They had gazed at each other for a bit, weighing the gravity of the
moment. Then, without another word, Ami had walked to the phone,
picked it up and dialed.
"Hello, mom?...yeah, its me...yeah, I know it's pretty late, sorry!
Are you okay?...that's great!...Look, I think I'll be staying
here...no, no, she's fine...no, really!...no, it's not that...MOM!"
Ami blushed a fiery red as she clinched the receiver in her hand.
"Kami-sama, mom! I can't believe you said that!" Ami had looked at
Makoto, turned even redder and quickly cut her eyes away from her.
"Geez, mom...no...no, that's not it really. It's just. Well. Makoto
needs me."
Makoto had watched the one-sided conversation in wonder and
fascination. Was what she thought was happening really happening?
"Yeah, I guess it's time...yeah...yeah...," a small smile quirked her
lips as she listened to her mom on the other end. "Yeah, we'll talk
about it sometime this weekend...uh-huh...yeah...I love you too,
mom...good night."
Ami returned the receiver to it's cradle, and turned to face her
partner.
"I'm home," she'd said with a gentle smile. She offered her open arms
to Makoto, who came forward eagerly into her welcoming embrace...
Gazing once again out the bus window, Ami never noticed the two cab
driver arguing at the intersection. All she saw was the glorious rays
of the sun as they began to break through the oppressive cloud cover.
With a happy grin, she thought of her life since that night.
Once the decision had been made, events had moved pretty swiftly. By
the end of the next week, Ami had been officially moved into 'the
apartment formerly known and Makoto's'. An apartment warming party had
been thrown by their friends and fellow senshi to everyone's fun and
enjoyment. Haruka had simply said, "About time," to Michiru's
amusement, and Setsuna, in her own special if enigmatic way had merely
smiled and said, "a most excellent use if time management. I
congratulate you both!"
Since then life had been, if not perfect, then darn near close. Sure,
they'd had their tiffs form time-to-time as most couples do, but for
the most part the move had strengthened their relationship. After all,
as Makoto had said one time, "how can I stay mad at you for forgetting
to clean the bathroom when I come home and find you fast asleep, face
down on your textbooks?" Ami remembered how touched she had been by
Makoto's sentiment until she had gone and ruined it..." Besides...I
find the drool- pool on that page just way too sexy..." Embarrassed,
Ami had made her pay! Oh yeah, she had paid for that one! But still,
the truth was they both worked hard, and true love had a way of
deciding what was really important, as well as what was not.
On the anniversary of their first year together in the apartment, Ami
had come home to discover an apartment where only candles provided the
lighting. Fresh flowers decorated a table elegantly set for two and if
the aroma was any indication, the food would be as tasteful and
wonderful as it looked. As Ami looked in amazement at the scene in
front of her, she became aware of movement to her right. As she
watched, Makoto entered the room with a quiet smile.
"Hey," She'd said softly. "Welcome home!"
Her dress was cocktail length and black, with french sleeves and a
sweetheart neckline. It gracefully covered her curves and seemed to
bring out the subtle lights of her reddish-brown hair. She wore light
make-up, with her trademark rose earrings and a simple diamond
pendant, a gift from her parents on her ninth birthday, adorned her
neck.
Stunned, Ami stood there unable to think.
"Do you like it?" Makoto asked shyly.
Jolted from her catatonic state, Ami had uncharacteristically blurted,
"Yes!" As she'd seen Makoto's smile, she'd said, "This is wonderful! I
can't believe you went to all this trouble. Oh Mako, it's absolutely
beautiful! And you," She swallowed, tears coming to her eyes as her
voice came in a whisper. "You take my breath away."
Makoto had taken her in her arms and gently kissed her lips. Are you
hungry?" she asked with a sexy smile.
"Uh-huh," Ami had managed in a daze.
"Then hurry up and get dressed!" She'd teased.
After a quick change into something better suited for the importance
of the evening, Ami had returned to share the wonderful meal her Mako
had prepared for them. As great as it was, she just couldn't take her
eyes off of her beautiful partner. It was funny, she mused, that while
others may call her plain, to her, Makoto was beauty itself. But then
she knew she saw Mako through the eyes of love and as such, she would
always be perfection to her.
At the end of the meal, Makoto had given her a glass of champagne and
offered a toast.
"To us, and our first year together. May it be the first of many, many
more," she'd said, her eyes sparkling in the candlelight.
"Hear, hear...," Ami had quickly agreed and together they had touched
glasses, entwined their arms and drank to seal the toast.
"Here," Makoto said. "I have something for you."
Ami frowned. "Makoto! I thought we agreed to hold off on gifts except
for birthdays and Christmas until we're out of school."
"You're right Ami, we did. But," she gave a sly little grin, "I lied!"
"Makoto! Sweetheart, I didn't get you anything!" Ami wailed.
"Sh-h-h! Don't worry about it, love! You may not even like this old
thing," she said as she produced a small black box from behind her
back.
Ami had looked at that tiny black box in Makoto's outstretched hand
like it was the most fascinating thing she had ever seen...but was
afraid it might bite her!
"Go on," Makoto had encouraged her, an eager twinkle in her eyes.
"Open it."
With trembling hand, Ami had reached out and taken the box. Eyes wide,
she had opened the hinged lid and could not avoid the tiny gasp that
escaped her lips or the tears that began to slowly slide down her
cheeks.
Inside was a ring. A sturdy-looking gold band that was set with
several channel cut emeralds cut in the shape of lightening bolts.
"Oh Makoto," Ami whispered. It was all she could manage as Makoto had
gently taken her left hand. Kissing her ring finger, Makoto had looked
deeply into her eyes, said "Forever," and slipped the ring into
place...
Ami looked down at her hand and smiled as the emerald lightening bolts
winked back at her. Lost in her thoughts of that special night, she
almost missed her stop and hurried to gather her things. As she exited
the bus, she became aware of the fresh breeze and the smell of the
rain-washed pavement. She couldn't help but smile again.
She was almost home.
Tonight would also be a special night. It was two years now since they
had first moved in together, and this time she was prepared. As the
elevator took her to their floor, she ran down her list. This time she
would be ready, and she had told Makoto so as well.
1-A cousage of fresh, pink orchids would be delivered at 6:20pm.
2-Haruka would pick them up in a limo at 6:40pm.
3-They had reservations at Makoto's all-time favorite restaurant at
7:00pm.
4-Minako-chan would enter the apartment with two dozen red roses to
decorate their room at 8:00pm, (or else!)
5-They would return home by 9:00pm.
6-After that...well...
Entering their bedroom, Ami walked to the closet to check out her new
dress. Cut in the classical style, it was evening length and perfectly
matched the sparkling sapphire-blue of her eyes...as well as something
else...she hoped Makoto would approve.
Later that night when they at last returned home, Ami couldn't have
been more happy with the way the evening had progressed. Everything
had gone off as planned. Makoto had loved the beautiful pink orchids!
Haruka had been there at 6:40pm on the very dot, complete with black
uniform and chauffeurs cap! Ami had laughed, not knowing she would go
that far, but Haruka had explained that Michiru would never let her
set foot outside the house without being properly attired for any
event! The restaurant was lovely and a quick glance inside their room
confirmed that Minako-chan had done her job, and done it well...love
senshi that she was!
That left only one last thing.
"So," Ami began. "Did you enjoy yourself tonight?"
"How could I not," Makoto exclaimed, her happiness evident in her
sparkling eyes. "It was a perfect evening and I love you for sharing
it with me."
Ami smiled brightly at her words and answered, "I love you to Mako, so
very much, but there's still one last little bit of business we have
to take care of before we can retire for the evening."
Makoto moved forward to take the smaller girl in her arms. "Are you
sure it can't wait until morning, Ami-love," Makoto whispered softly
in her ear as she began to trail kisses in a firm, but gentle line
down the side of her neck.
Swallowing convulsively as she felt her heart-rate increase, Ami stuck
to her convictions and gently pulled away.
"No...I mean YES, I'm sure it can't wait," she said as Makoto grinned
at her momentary confusion.
"Okay love," Makoto said, putting forth the effort to get serious
again. "What's so important it can't wait, tonight of all nights?"
"This," Ami said, holding out a small black box. "It's my turn."
Stunned, Makoto stared at the tiny black box, then smiled. "I guess I
really shouldn't be all that surprised," she said. "So, is this a case
of 'turnabout being fair play'?"
"You know it!" Ami responded, a large grin spreading across her
adorable face. "Now here! Take this thing before I drop it or
something!"
Reaching out, Makoto took the tiny box in her hand and cracked it
open. With her first glance inside, her other hand involuntarily went
to her mouth to cover the sobs as she gazed at it's contents.
It was, of course, a ring. A sturdy-looking gold band that was set
with several channel cut sapphires all cut in the shape of icicles,
very closely resembling the lightening bolts on Ami's own ring.
She was speechless. All she could do was stare at the ring, her mind
and spirit moved by the beauty of not the ring itself, but what it
symbolized.
"Do you like it?" Ami asked, breaking the silence of the room.
"Oh Ami," was all Makoto could manage. "My Ami-love."
With that charming, quiet smile that was all her own, Ami stepped
forward and took Makoto's left hand. Kissing her ring finger, Ami
captured Makoto's eyes with her own, trying desperately to say with
them all they were both too moved to say with words. "Forever," she
whispered, and slipped the ring into place.
And so it was.
The journey home was now, and forever, complete.
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