Butterflies

Author's Note: Sorry for the delay in getting Chapter 4 out, everyone. I haven't had a day off work since August 28th. I worked 63 hours last week and somewhere just under 50 the week before. So you'll forgive me, I hope. Haven't had time to recharge the batteries. On a happier note, my fantasy football team won this week. By 3 points! It was close. Enjoy Chapter 4, and tell me your thoughts on the story.

Chapter 4

Twilight awoke with the book she had been reading lying next to her in bed. With a slight groan, she sat up in bed and stretched the legs out. She smiled brightly and hopped out of bed, full of energy. It was no wonder why as soon as she looked out the window - it was almost noon. She quickly bathed and made her bed before checking on the potion she began brewing the day before.

The potion required overnight cooking with little supervision, but once that part was done, there was much to do that required precise concentration. She quickly retrieved the potion book Princess Celestia specified in her letter before, and set to work. She carefully stirred, poured, and mixed to the instructions in the book. After two hours of rough work that left Twilight slightly disheveled, she could finally declare the potion finished. She placed it in a bright blue container, labeled it on the outside, and cleaned up the work area. Twilight completed her work just prior to three o'clock in the afternoon.

She quickly fixed her mane before returning to her bed and grabbing the book she left there, and returned to her living room to begin reading it again. 'I fell asleep in the middle of chapter seven,' Twilight thought to herself. She sat back down in her large, comfortable chair. Flipping through the pages, she found where she had fallen asleep last night and began reading.

Cecile was amazed at the sight before her - the forest gave way to a huge clearing, with grassy plains as far as the eye could see. A few trees dotted the landscape, and there wasn't a cloud in the night sky. Looking up at the night sky, the skies were filled with stars, and the crescent moon shone brightest of all almost directly above her head.

"Oh my..." she started, staring at the sky above her. "It's beyond beautiful."

Emma smiled at her friend as she gave Cecile a slight nudge and indicated toward the nearest tree.

"Come on," she said. "I'll show you my favorite spot."

Leading the way to the tree, they walked about 600 feet before settling under the shade provided by the tree. The tree possessed a number of small pink flowers that seemed to cover all the branches.

"What are these flowers called?" Cecile asked Emma.

"Cherry Blossoms" came the reply. "They represent the fleeting nature of life. They can also represent kindness. Most people separate the two - they either represent one or the other. I think the meanings are connected.

"Life is fleeting, but we should be thankful for it. It is the kindness of the world that we have life at all. Even when it is cruel and tragic, it is better than no life. We have to remember that, always." Emma smiled after finishing her monologue. "Anyway, that's what I believe, and I think that's enough."

"Mmm." Cecile nodded her head. She stared up at the night sky again.

"This is such a beautiful sight, Emma. Thank you so much for showing it to me." Cecile paused for several seconds before continuing. "I thought I would hate this town. But you've been wonderful over the last few months. Caring, kind...affectionate. It seems like my parents never show me any affection. I don't know how I would have made it without you." She smiled at her friend again, before nuzzling Emma's neck a little. They stared into each others eyes.

It was then that it happened. Emma leaned forward and simply kissed Cecile, just like that.

"Mmm!" Cecile made the noise in surprise. Emma continued to kiss her - softly, lovingly - and Cecile did not resist it. After a few seconds, she began to return the kiss, caught up in the moment. Cecile closed her eyes and simply enjoyed the feeling as best she could. It was unexpected, but not unwelcome. Not at that moment. Not under the beautiful night sky with the only pony that made her feel loved.

After nearly half a minute, Emma broke the kiss, and looked into Cecile's eyes. Cecile looked right back at Emma, unsure of how she should feel. She had never kissed a mare before. Never even considered it. But now, it seemed...right. She wondered how this would change things between her and Emma. She valued their friendship more than anything - but now it was in serious jeopardy.

Twilight put down her book. She wanted to know what it was like. She hadn't had her first kiss yet. Nopony had made her feel that way.

Except one. She thought about if it was Rarity, and imagined it in her mind. In her imagination, it felt like bliss. Her heart beat as hard as she had ever felt it beat. Ba-dump. Ba-dump. She looked outside again. It would still be daylight for at least 3 hours. She decided to go and visit Rarity. Rarity wasn't expecting Twilight until tomorrow, but surely Rarity could spare a few hours.

Leaving her house, she walked straight toward Rarity's boutique. She saw Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom just about to enter Sugarcube Corner on her way, and called out to them.

"Sweetie Belle!" Twilight called, galloping over to where they were.

"Hi, Twilight!" Rarity's younger sister replied with a wave.

"Sweetie Belle, do you know where Rarity is right now? Is she in her boutique?" Twilight asked a little too quickly.

"She's at the spa, with Fluttershy. Their spa day, remember?" Sweetie Belle answered innocently.

Twilight did remember. They do have a regular spa day together. Twilight considered it for a moment. 'Maybe if I just go in and ask to come by later that night. That seems innocent enough.' Twilight settled on that decision.

"Okay! Thanks!" Twilight galloped off.

Entering into the spa, she saw the mare at the front desk greet her with a smile.

"Welcome, Twilight! How can I help you? Are you here to beautify," she asked with a devilish grin on her face.

"Sorry, not today. I heard Rarity was here. Could I go and see her?" Twilight asked earnestly.

The mare seemed to consider this for a moment. "I suppose because you two are so close, I can let you go in. But don't tell anyone, Twilight. I could get in trouble."

"I won't tell a soul. Promise. Thank you!" Twilight walked through the door into the main hallway. It was devoid of other ponies.

The spa was divided up into several rooms, each one with a different relaxation or beauty treatment within. Each door was made of wood, as was the hallway, with a small window high up on each door for looking inside or out. Twilight found, however, that she had to stand up on her rear hooves to be able to look through it. She noticed that one door had a saddlebag hanging off of the doorknob. Curious as to what it meant, Twilight walked up to it and picked herself up to look through the window.

She saw it was the sauna room. The steam made it difficult to see, not to mention the ponies were all the way in the back, and were practically on top of each other. She saw one had a white body. She was a unicorn, and had blue eyes. She found Rarity, all right. Peering through the glass, she saw a light yellow body, and could barely make out a pegasus wing. Looking harder, she saw a pink mane as well.

'Fluttershy', Twilight thought. 'Of course they would be together. They spend every spa day together!'

The steam cleared a bit and she could see what she was doing. She didn't really mean to spy on them, but she wasn't about to go in with what she saw happening. Twilight gasped and placed a hoof over her mouth. Twilight couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Sitting on the wooden steps of the sauna were Rarity and Fluttershy. They were clearly engaged in a deep and passionate kiss.