THE JOURNEY HOME
Series: Sailor Moon
Pairing: Ami & Makoto
Description: Ami contemplates her life with Makoto.
THE JOURNEY HOME
By Sailor Doc
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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