Title: Ever Watchful
Author: Starsea
Theme: "If we are bound to forgive an enemy, we are not bound to trust him." -- Thomas Fuller (Villains)
Genre: Drama?
Version: Anime (post StarS)
Rating: G

They weren't welcome here, Calaveras knew that. They were intruders on the happy family gathering. Her sisters didn't notice that. They mingled among the wedding guests, happy to chat to the girls. It was like the past had never happened. Even Petz was smiling and flirting with that blond man, looking at him in a way that Calaveras hadn't seen for years. Too bad he was engaged. She wondered if she ought to say something. No, better not. Let Petz enjoy herself. Remark about his status afterwards, when they were at home.

She slipped out through the French doors onto the terrace. The Tsukinos had hired a lovely building for the reception, she had to admit it. Beautiful lawns stretched away before her. The roses bushes were in full bloom, creamy white. If she squinted, they looked like foam. The sky was blue and hazy, the clouds creating a film that she always associated with summer.

Everything was so bright and colourful here.

"Need a little air?"

Calaveras sighed an invisible sigh at the smooth voice. "Just some peace and quiet." She held herself still as the other woman walked up behind her and then stood at her side, also looking at the garden. Her skin was white, her hair the unpaintable green of the sea.

"It's beautiful, ne? I do love roses. They're the most romantic flower."

Calaveras ignored the comment. "What do you want, Michiru-san?" she asked, swirling the wine in her glass. "You wouldn't have followed me out here to make small talk."

Michiru was silent for a moment. Then she made an elegant little shrug, implying that anything she now said was Calaveras's fault for refusing to play the game. "Just making sure."

"Making sure of what?" Calaveras demanded, but she knew. She knew why Michiru had come out.

"Of you," Michiru said, sliding her a glance out of those beautiful eyes. "One can never tell. It's like an addiction, isn't it?"

Calaveras felt like breaking her glass. She wanted to stamp and scream and ask what more they could do to prove their change of heart. She did none of these things. "I don't know," she said. "I've never been addicted to anything, Michiru-san."

"That's what they all say," Michiru murmured. "Don't stay outside too long. People will talk."

She turned and went back inside, a perfect violet hourglass. Calaveras did not move. She stared out at the roses, shivering foam in the heat. It was just the heat. She wasn't crying. Not at all.