How come who's asking? The stream, running full force, was a beautiful blue color. Not deep blue or light blue, but a sort of mixture of the two. Just a beautiful blue color. They had never seen such a color before. The two lovers, both petite women, looked up from the stream and into each others eyes. One had light pink colored hair, and the other had dark blue...almost a black. They were both not wearing anything, as is customary in the fourth dimension. The lover's bodies shone in the light, but they did not look over the other's form. They just continued to look at each other, before looking back into the stream. "It's so beautiful, Hotaru." The pink haired one said, still looking at the stream. "I wish I could stay here with you forever." "Why can't you?" The dark haired one said. "We both need each other, Chibi-chan. We do. So just stay here with me." "I can't. I just...can't." Replied the pink haired girl. "Look at our stream, Chibi. Watch it flow. This is our love. Don't deny it! It's our love, flowing, just as it always will. We have always been a part of each other, and always will be." "Our water WILL run dry, Hotaru. It will run dry." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We don't even talk anymore And we don't even know what we argue about Don't even say I love you no more Cause sayin' how we feel is no longer allowed Some people work things out And some just don't know how to change Let's don't wait till the water runs dry We might watch our whole lives pass us by Let's don't wait till the water runs dry We'll make the biggest mistake of our lives Don't do it baby Now they can see the tears in our eyes But we deny the pain that lies deep in our hearts Well maybe that's a pain we can't hide Cause everybody knows that we're both torn apart Why do we hurt each other Why do we push love away Let's don't wait till the water runs dry We might watch our whole lives pass us by Let's don't wait till the water runs dry We'll make the biggest mistake of our lives Don't do it baby --Boyz II Men --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Haruka sat next to Hotaru's bed, almost crying herself. She understood her friend's pain almost perfectly. She had just gotten over some troubles with Michiru, and the nagging pain was still at the back of her mind. Something inside of her told her Hotaru needed to be alone. She stood up, trying to force out some kind of comforting words, but none came. All she could manage was a comforting smile, and a hand on Hotaru's shoulder. Hotaru nodded to Haruka, then placed her head in her hands once again. She knew this was it. She knew it was finally over. ChibiUSA was gone. Gone forever. She had called Hotaru up to tell her it was over, and Hotaru didn't even hear one tone of sadness in her lover's voice. Chibi had just told her she couldn't do it anymore...she couldn't keep living like this. Living like what? Hotaru asked herself. Living on different continents, only seeing each other on holidays? She could understand that. But...but...it was all so RIGHT, how could it just end like that? Two words and her entire life came crashing down. ChibiUSA was the love of her life, and she could feel the love they shared even though they were miles apart. She had decided to take the year study in the United States at Stanford. An irreplaceable opportunity, she had said. Chibi was never one to pass up opportunities like this. She had practically begged Hotaru to join her, but Hotaru had declined. Her own dreams were being fulfilled here in Japan, and she hadn't wanted to pass up her own opportunity to become a doctor. She did it half out of the pain she was suffering from the loss, but the other half of her knew it was right. She had thought that the separation would be just a test of their love, and everything would turn out right in a year just one year. That's all. Just one year. Then they'd be together again and everything would be just as it was before, and they would get married. Just like they had planned. But it was all over. The year was almost up, and ChibiUSA had called Hotaru like she had done every month. But it was no longer the happy and excited and somewhat depressed Chibi. It was a cold and foreign Chibi. She just told Hotaru she would stay another year, and that she was ending their engagement. She had just said that she couldn't go on anymore. Hotaru burst into tears at the thought. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Five thousand miles away, ChibiUSA sat in front of the phone, wondering what she had just done. Hotaru had cried, she realized, and her eyes went wide with sadness at the thought. What was she doing? She should be back home with her one true love sleeping in her arms. She should be in her bed, in her embrace, and in her life again. What was she doing in this University in California, anyway? Studying to become something she didn't even want. She wanted to be a wife to Hotaru, and that was it. How could she, now that she had called it off? She couldn't possibly call Hotaru right back and just say "oops I'm sorry about that! I was just kidding!" What was that supposed to be? Stupid dreams. Why did she listen to them? That was what her father did, and he had almost ruined his relationship with her mother. But, luckily, her father had caught himself. How the hell was she supposed to catch herself? Every time she thought about Hotaru the dreams would creep into her head and horrify her...seeing the black haired girl die at her feet. She couldn't possibly risk her life. She couldn't be that selfish. Hotaru was sitting on her bed now, probably crying. Chibi could picture it perfectly. Hotaru's small body, curled up in a tiny ball, holding a battered piece of Klean-x, her blue-black hair falling limp in front of her deep blue eyes. "Oh God...what have I done?!" Chibi hunched over the phone, tears pouring out of her and sobs wracking her small body like never before. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The stream was beginning to trickle, no longer running with the same strength. The dark haired girl gripped the other, pain in her eyes. "ChibiUSA, please, no!" She called out. "It can't...it just CAN'T!" "It must, Hotaru. It just has to happen." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Haruka-papa! Come back here!" Hotaru laughed, trying to grab the anniversary present from Haruka's eager hands. Michiru just laughed, placing another plate on the table for the party. She watched as her God-daughter ran after her lover, and smiled slightly. Haruka wasn't supposed to open any of the presents for their anniversary, but she had already gotten to a couple. Matching rings with two stones cut to resemble the two planets they represented, necklaces with "H&M Forever" on both, a couple paintings, and assorted nick-knacks to place around their new house. Michiru smiled at that thought. Their own house. She couldn't wait. Haruka slowed down, breathless, still cradling the small silver- wrapped package. She breathed heavily, hunching over and placing her left hand on her knee, holding the package with her right. She smiled a tired smile, and looked up at Hotaru. "Give...it...back..." Hotaru said between gasps for air. "Come on...let me just open it now!" Haruka gasped. She looked up suddenly to see Michiru standing there, a hand on her aqua-colored dress. Her hair tumbled down in front of her eyes, and her lips wore a smile. She lifted up a small hand and held it out in front of her, motioning to the package. "Haruka..." She softly pleaded, and Haruka obeyed her silent question. Handing over the package with a scowl, she stood up straight. "Thank you, Haruka." Michiru said quietly, and walked over to her lover. She wrapped an arm around Haruka's waist and kissed her fiercely, forgetting about Hotaru completely. "You two!" Hotaru knew when to turn around. She turned on her heels and walked outside, leaving the two alone. She knew that if she and Chibi were kissing... She suddenly stopped the thought. She and Chibi were no...longer... Hotaru sat down on the bench in the garden, placing her head in her hands. Not again. She didn't want to have to go through this every day of her life. She didn't want to have to keep telling herself OVER and OVER that it was done. She looked up at the noise of a car approaching. She wondered who it could be. Guests were not arriving for another hour or so. Setsuna was out shopping for some goodies...hopefully bringing something back for her. So who could it be? She looked down at her feet again, and ran her hands through her wavy tendrils of hair. She was stressed, high strung, wound up like a spring. She didn't WANT to be, but knew she was. She needed to see ChibiUSA again, just once, to know it was really over. She needed to see her again and talk to her and touch her pink hair and look into her red eyes, just ONE MORE TIME. Just one. A car door opened and slammed shut. She didn't even look up. She didn't really want to. She just ran her hands through her hair again, and closed her eyes tight to try to remember every single detail about her only love's face. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ChibiUSA got out of the car, all the while her eyes on the timid figure sitting on a bench. She knew who it was. She forced her eyes away to look up at the house. It was gorgeous, really. She hadn't expected it to be so big. The entire house was a beige color, and the garden was big and gorgeous. Flowers reached up to her thighs, but were all trimmed and well taken care of. The bench that her former lover was sitting on was lined by a small pathway that entwined in the flowers, half hiding her in the beautiful growth. It seemed fitting that a beautiful flower should be surrounded by beautiful flowers. No, her inner voice shouted at her. You ended that relationship, and you have to accept responsibility. Apologize! Another voice screamed at her. Apologize and everything will be fine again she'll take you back because you love each other and... But what if she doesn't love you anymore? What if she's found someone else? Chibi almost cried out with the unbearable thought. What if she HAS found someone else? Someone who loves her more and cares for her more and kisses her and holds her...no one can touch her. ChibiUSA knew she would have to do it soon, have to explain herself and apologize before the day was up. She couldn't let the horrible pain go on another second. She walked briskly into the garden, trying to dodge plants as best she could. She couldn't find a good enough path, so she began to carefully weave her way through the growth. She tried, in vain, to brush off some of the petals and pollen that stuck to her dark jean shorts as she did so. She found herself a few feet away from the bench, with Hotaru's head still down. Hotaru looked stressed, pained...not loved. She hoped, with a selfish thought, that she hadn't been loved lately. At least, not the way ChibiUSA would love her. Not like that. Hotaru's arms were on either side of her head, and Chibi could sense that she was deep in thought. What was she thinking? She couldn't tell. She didn't know if she wanted to be able to tell. "Hotaru." She whispered, slightly quivering on the 'u'. Hotaru whipped her head upwards at the sound, and her eyes took Chibi in. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Her hair had grown slightly, and she seemed to be a little taller. Her dark jean shorts looked really good with the pink T-shirt, and her little pink flip-flops were just right for the warm summer weather. Her eyes were still the beautiful shade of red, and her lips were the same color. An overwhelming heat seeped through Hotaru's blood as her gaze focused on her once-lover's lips. Oh God, she thought. I must be imagining her. That's it...I'm just imagining. She's not really here, she didn't come to the party, she is still back at her college. "Hotaru?" Chibi said again, this time questioning her. Hotaru cleared her throat, trying to prepare herself for the pain that was about to come. "Hello, ChibiUSA. Nice to see you." Her voice came out remarkably controlled, the pain masked by the cold tone. Her eyes and heart hardened, like ice. She didn't want to feel the pain anymore. She returned to her darkened self, inside herself and retreating back away. ChibiUSA looked shocked. She had never seen Hotaru so cold before...Hotaru was always the voice of calm among the two, the reason in their chaos. But never, ever, had ChibiUSA seem her so cold. "I didn't think you would come back here so soon." Hotaru said, trying to mask the uncomfortable silence. Her eyes narrowed into small slits, and her lips thinned out. She realized just how ANGRY she was at Chibi, and clenched her fists at the thought. How DARE she come back here, how dare she just stand there and act like everything is fine. She must have a lot of guts coming back here... "Of course, Hotaru! It's Michiru's and Haruka's anniversary...and besides, it's summer vacation. I wouldn't miss seeing all the Senshi back in one place for anything!" She put on a silly grin, showing her perfectly straight white teeth. Hotaru almost joined in with a smile of her own, but she caught herself. Hotaru stood up with the pure awkwardness of it all, and placed her hand on her hip. "Well I must be going now. Setsuna-mama is at the mall, and I have to go meet her. See you later." Hotaru walked briskly away, and Chibi stood still as she walked by. Her eyes swept over Hotaru's curves longingly, and she let out a sigh. Hotaru caught it, but didn't say anything at all. She didn't want to say anything. Hotaru was almost to her car when Chibi finally got control of herself. "Taru-chan!" She called, and ran toward her. Hotaru didn't move, her hand extended with keys in hand to unlock the car door. "Wait, Taru-chan!" She complied, and soon enough ChibiUSA had caught up with her. She was a little out of breath, and Hotaru waited in a patient silence. Chibi finally got control over herself, and stood up straight. "I'll go with you." "That's fine. You stay here. I'm sure everyone will want to see you." Hotaru put the keys in the lock and turned them. "I...I'd like to go with you. You know, catch up?" She let out a nervous smile. Hotaru couldn't resist. She just couldn't. "You don't need to catch up with someone you pushed away," she snapped. Chibi was silent for a moment, and watched as Hotaru put her purse in the car. Hotaru was walking around the side of the car when she caught herself in the daze again. "Hotaru..." She walked after her, and grabbed her arm gently. "I...I didn't want to push you away. It's just..." "Just what, Chibi-chan?" She said curtly, tears forming at the base of her eyes. "Just someone else? You found someone better in America, didn't you?" The tears fell like tiny stars to the ground. "NO!" ChibiUSA said, her own tears forming. "I've only ever loved you. I still love you! I always will! I just have these dreams and you're...you're..." Hotaru threw open her door and climbed in. She quickly put the keys in the ignition and turned them, starting the car. ChibiUSA ran around to the other side and climbed in quickly, surprising Hotaru. She took her eyes from the steering wheel and looked at Chibi, shocked. "Dreams, Chibi-chan? DREAMS? That's why you dumped me?" "Remember my father, when he had those problems with dreams?" "I remember you telling me about it, yes." "The same kind of dreams, Taru-chan. The same kinds of dreams. It scares me! I couldn't possibly risk letting them come true!" Hotaru put the car in reverse and drove away from the house, a little confused. "I don't understand, Chibi-chan. I just don't." "I love you, Taru-chan. If that means sparing your life and getting rid of my happiness, then I'll do it!" "What about MY happiness?" Hotaru shouted. "I love you more than anything! Without you I feel like I don't have a reason for living!" "I don't want it to be MY fault that you die!" ChibiUSA shouted back, tears streaming down her cheeks. The mall loomed up ahead, and she wiped the tears away. "I couldn't stand the thought of putting you in danger. I...I still can't." Hotaru pulled into the mall's parking lot, trying to keep her emotions under control. "Is the danger you felt gone now?" She whispered. "No." Their gazes met at the sound of the word. Hotaru swallowed hard. "Then...then why did you come here?" "Because I had to see you. I had to know that you were alright." ChibiUSA closed her eyes and sighed. She had finally gotten it all out, thank God. Now Hotaru would know, and she could feel at least somewhat at peace. Hotaru swallowed hard again, trying to hold back the feelings of love and fear and overwhelming emotion that were beginning to overtake her. "I guess I understand. But we can't be together if it's too dangerous, can we?" "I guess not." ChibiUSA sighed. "But I still love you, Hotaru. I always will." "I...I love you too, ChibiUSA." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Oh Hotaru!" The pink-haired girl flung herself into her lover's arms. "I want to be with you so much!" "Why can't you?! I don't understand!" The dark-haired girl said. "We love each other..." The stream was beginning to run again, and she smiled. "It's too obvious that we do. Our stream is still running!" "It will always run." The pink-haired girl smiled, but the smile quickly turned back into a worried frown. "But we can't always be together, Hotaru." "I don't understand!" The other girl shouted once again. "Those who do not understand love will always get in the way. It's too dangerous. Our stream will continue to always run, believe me. I won't let it run dry." "It will run dry, Chibi-chan. All things must. You said it yourself. If you don't want it to run dry, love me! Just love me!" The dark-haired girl dropped to her knees. "I will always love you, Hotaru." The pink-haired girl said, and dropped to her knees in front of the other. "I will always love you. ToOh BeEh CoNtInUeD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey loves! I've wanted to do a story like this for a long time. Stay tuned for part two! Thanks as always to the Amazoness Duo, those wonderful gals! ? And, of course, to my wonderful and supportive friends, Alea, Jessica, Analicia...hope all of you are doing alright in Cali! And to my new buds, especially Jayne. Thanks for the support and your willingness! I love yah! AND, FINALLY, to all my fans. You are the ones I keep doing this for! Thanks so much. <3 PsychoKittenSenshi611 Gabrielle
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