The bottom of a pool is a strange place to work out a problem, but there sat Ami Mizuno, doing just that. She loved the quiet, the solitude, the pressure, and yes, the challenge. The idea was to focus on two things at once: solve the problem at hand, and do so before she needed to surface, forcing her to think faster. Not that she couldn't process information; the petite, blue-haired young woman had immeasurable intelligence. On some matters, though, she could be rather clueless. Love was one such matter, and try as she might, this was one problem that wasn't going to be solved sitting on the bottom of a pool. Michiru Kaioh watched the young blunette and smiled. The two had parlayed their swimming rivalry into a pretty good friendship, and she regarded Ami as a younger sister, or maybe even a younger, more analytical version of herself. If Ami had a problem she couldn't solve (which was rare in itself), Michiru would gently offer advice - but never a solution. Michiru stood from the chaise lounge and looked into the water. "The poor dear," she sighed with a smile. "I'd better fish her out before she grows fins and a tail." 'Makoto...why, no, how can I tell you? I'm sure you've guessed by now how I feel about you...you're always there for me; you're always smiling and caring with me, even when you're having problems of your own. I'd even go so far as to say you...no, I shouldn't make such an assumption. What if I'm wrong? I mean, the way you act around me seems to be the way someone would act if they're interested in me that way...I guess. Watching your interaction with me is very much like watching Mamoru's behavior with Usagi. He's very protective of her. He does his best to make her happy, and even when he's not there, she's happy just thinking about him.' Ami sighed and watched the bubbles rise to the surface. 'I feel your affection, Mako-chan...but I...I don't know how to show you that I feel the same way. Expressing myself in mere words wouldn't do my feelings justice. You're beyond that. And besides, even Shakespeare or Browning would probably have just as hard a time with you. My father was the artist, but I don't have his talent. As beautiful as his landscapes are, I don't think he could truly capture you. I could probably compose a song, but it would take a symphony with the strength of Wagner and the beauty of Debussy. I couldn't possibly do that. You truly have me at a loss, my dearest Mako-chan...' Ami's thoughts were interrupted as she felt herself being lifted up through the water's surface. She took a much-needed breath and turned to see Michiru smiling at her, her aqua-hued tresses floating behind her. "Air is a necessary component for human life. You really shouldn't try cutting down on it." "I'm sorry, Michiru-san,' said Ami between breaths, "I was--" "Using your proven method of problem-solving, right? Honestly, one day you'll be so immersed in your thoughts that your skin color will match your hair color." "Then at least I will be color-coordinated and problem-free!" They both laughed softly, but Ami trailed hers off and sighed.. "Why should love be so hard, Michiru-san?" "For many reasons," Michiru answered, holding out her hand to count. "It's worthwhile, it's important, it's special, it's necessary, it's practical...I'm going to need my other hand. You promise not to sink if I let you go?" Ami had forgotten she was still being held by Michiru. She blushed and swam to the edge of the pool. "Okay, I get it. People do have trouble expressing their feelings to the person they love. But why should it be so difficult? Shouldn't they be able to just say 'I love you' and be done with it?" Michiru glided aside her. "Now how would you feel if someone just walked up to you and said 'I love you' without any hesitation, with no concern or feeling other than the words themselves? Most likely, you wouldn't believe them, because the feeling wasn't there. You know better than most that humans communicate their feelings in many different ways, and in many different combinations. Finding the right way to express your love and win someone's heart shouldn't be easy...it should be a fight." She paused to reflect on her own struggles with winning Haruka's heart, the difficult choices she made in doing so, and the reward of not only having a lover and a fellow senshi to fight alongside her, but a life partner as well. "It is worth the fight, Ami-chan. Trust me, when you find the right way to tell that person how you feel, you will, and you'll be more than satisfied with the results." Ami looked at Michiru with awe. Indeed, Michiru and Haruka had a love that she and the rest of her friends envied. Those two would walk by, and everyone knew how much they were in love without them having to say a word. They just seemed to radiate love, if that was possible. She wanted something like that, and she knew who with. "Thank you, Michiru-san," Ami bowed her head just above the water's surface and back. "I'm sure I'll find a way. I just wished I could do it soon. I don't want to lose her." "Don't worry Ami-chan. If you love her that much, I'm sure she's noticed even a little. You'll find a way, and if she truly loves you, she'll wait forever for you." Michiru climbed out of the pool and offered Ami a helping hand. "By the way, do you know how long you were down there?" "I lost track after three minutes, why?" "Because you were past five minutes when I came in to get you, and you didn't seem to be having any trouble." Michiru watched the surprised look on Ami's face as an idea came her mind. "Have you ever heard of the Kondo Ballet?" "Wh-what? Five minutes??" Ami knew she was there for awhile, but not that long. "Hmm...I didn't feel any effects from the lack of oxygen. It could be due to being a senshi..." She was lost in her self-analysis when Michiru repeated her question. "Don't tell me being down that long has affected your hearing! Have you ever heard of Kondo?" "Oh-I'm sorry," Ami replied with a blush. "Yes, I have heard of Kondo. My father used to take me to see the performances. It was very beautiful.... I had seen old film of the underwater ballet before, but it was nothing like attending it in person. I was saddened when they closed down a few years ago." "Then I have good news. Haruka and I are reviving the company," Michiru said nonchalantly. "We've been talking with the company for quite awhile, and they've been very receptive. In fact, they've already given us the use of their theater. We're done refurbishing it, and are looking for performers. Would you be interested?" Ami's heart almost leapt out of her mouth before rationality forced it back into its proper place. "I...I don't know. I don't think I could perform in front of a crowd. Besides, there's many hours of training that would be needed for something like that, not to mention the ability to move that gracefully underwater. You have that talent naturally, Michiru-san, being a water senshi. I do not. Thank you very much for considering me, but I don't think I could." Michiru read Ami's downcast expression and tried another tack..."You'd be surprised what you're capable of, Ami-chan. Don't forget, you're also a water senshi, only you manipulate it in a completely different way. You're an excellent swimmer and a graceful dancer. Putting those skills together shouldn't be a problem for you. I can see this is something you might like, and I'm sure you have the talent, even if you're not. Humor me.... Come by the theater, and we'll talk more about it, okay?" "Well, I guess talking about it doesn't constitute a commitment. I'll do that, then." Ami smiled and joined Michiru outside of the pool. After awhile Ami prepared to leave. "Thank you again for listening to me, and for your help." She bowed deeply to Michiru, who smiled warmly before doing likewise. "Thank you for listening to me. Remember what I said, Ami-chan; she'll wait for you to be ready, so don't give up the fight." Ami smiled and nodded, and turned to go. Before she did, she took a long look at one of the many paintings Michiru had displayed in her home In it, a terrible storm was raging against a jetty. Amidst the turmoil, Michiru as a mermaid sat with a hand extended to welcome Haruka, dressed in a billowing gold and white gown and floating down to meet Michiru. Even there, their love shone around them, and their expressions were peaceful and calm. Ami marveled at the detail, the colors, the deftness of the brushstrokes, the symbolism....and then she took a step back and saw the whole painting. 'That's what I want,' she thought to herself. 'A love like that...to say it just like that."
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