A/N: Small time skip

"All my crap is moved in and unboxed, as well as Setsuna's. I'm going for a ride, I'll just be gone an hour or so." Haruka stated, grabbing her helmet off the table by the door.

"Be careful!" Michiru called, causing the blonde to smirk as she called over her shoulder

"Always."

Haruka knew something was wrong as soon as she drove into the garage, then she noticed the broken window on the blue toyota, inwardly groaning as she tried to figure out how much it would cost to replace it.

What could have done this? It was in the fucking garage!

She wondered, just as she felt a hand tug at her pants from behind.

Turning around she found Hotaru standing there, crying silently and looking a bit scared.

"What's wrong, princess?"

The blonde questioned, kneeling down to the child's height.

"I broke the window on accident while playing out here, I'm sorry!"

Hotaru said in one breath, making it hard for Haruka to understand at first.

"We told you no playing in the garage, especially since there's stuff here that is dangerous." Haruka lectured lightly, moving to try to pull the girl close only to have her flinch away as if expecting a blow.

"Sorry."

Hotaru repeated, soft sobs shaking her.

Haruka sighed as she stood, quickly scooping the girl into her arms before saying.

"I'm not angry Hotaru, actually I'm the opposite."

She carried the child toward the steps leading inside, taking a seat and setting the girl on her lap before explaining,

"I am upset that you disobeyed us but I am not angry. I am rather proud of you for being up front and honest about this besides hiding it, I know it must have been scary for you to come to me like you did."

Hotaru sniffled as she asked "How can you be proud? I messed up."

Haruka laughed at this, poking the child in the ribs playfully.

"Hotaru, everyone messes up. I mess up, Michiru does, heck even Setsuna. I am proud because besides trying to lie or hide it you were honest with me. You did the right thing even when you were afraid of the consequences and that, my firefly showed real bravery."

She explained, pressing a kiss into the girl's forehead before adding "c'mon let's go see if Michi's done baking those brownies, I think you could use a little cheering up."

Michiru noticed how the child looked like she had been crying and sent Haruka a questioning look, only to relax when she noticed Haruka's playful quips at the little girl.

"What happened?" she finally asked, earning a sigh from Haruka.

"Hotaru made a little mistake and was afraid to tell me about it, we settled it though." Haruka stated, kissing the child's cheek before sitting her on her feet before adding

"Why don't you go pick a game for us all to play? I bring some snacks in a minute."

Once the child was gone Haruka sighed and turned to Michiru.

"She shattered the rear window in my car on accident and was brave enough to come tell me even when she was shaking like a leaf."

She stated, watching as Michiru's eyes grew wide.

"Please tell me you didn't lose your temper."

Michiru pleaded, earning a sigh.

"Michiru, she's a child. Children test limits, they mess up, they do things they shouldn't but you have to be patient. I know better than to lose my temper on a little girl, no matter what she does. You saw how upset she was with just me talking with her imagine how it would be if I had yelled at her. She's been through too much."

Haruka responded as she turned to Michiru.

"Setsuna got me to open up and relax by talking first and giving consequences later after complete understanding is achieved. Children don't need anger or harsh punishment, that just scares them."

Michiru knew Haruka was talking from experience.

"Haruka, I trust you with Hotaru. I know you love her."

She stated, just as the little girl ran back into the room, sliding on the rug and into Michiru who easily stopped her slid.

"Careful." she chided, smiling as she ruffled the child's hair before adding "c'mon, lets go play a game with her."