"I don't want to see your face ever again!"

" So do I!"

" I loathe you."

" I regret everything that had transpired between us."

All the words rang at the back of my head. Involuntarily I tightened my grip at the accelerator of my motorbike. My heart is still pounding from all the anger, the pain, the hurt.

It drew a very agonizing wound at the very core of my being. The sorrow is piercing and tearing me inside out. Like a wounded animal I took the only escape and refufe that I have…to be united with the wind. To feel my element embrace me in this heart wrenching pain.

"Who would have thought…..that Michiru and I …will end this way"

Chapter 1

Reminiscence of the Past

Present Day Crystal TOKYO

(Michiru)

It is raining. I feel so lonely….alone in this empty house where all our memories were built. A millennium of happiness..with her. I cried all morning. I could not even muster the strength to get up from bed. I reached out for the sheets and remembered my agonizing cry that lulled me to sleep. I could feel my eyes welling with tears.

To the comfort of being half-dead.

I can still smell her perfume in this room. The thought of her going away in her motorbike was excruciatingly painful. She did not even look back.

I can still remember how I ran after her..stumbling…those agonizing distance…

…yet she did not come back for me.

Everything is so torn…unmendable…

Seeing that look of pure hurt and anger in her eyes…remembering the coldness of our voice as we argued and said the unthinkable just to hurt each other.

Maybe it is better this way.

HARUKA

The heaviness of my heart never left me even if months have transpired. Everything I touch, smell and feel reminded me of her. I could see the look of surprise from the royal court as they saw me after months of solitude as I emerged in the public eye once more. I attended a concert at the opera house alone, without an escort and not with my "other half" as the court pertain to us.

Yes. I am now alone. "Single" as some may call it. I chuckle at the thought of the stir emanating from the court right now. I could imagine all the court intrigues stirring at the bowels of the elite society. I am not wearing our ring. I have not heard from Michiru yet. Our friends, the Senshis had been trying to contact me but I chose to keep everything to myself this time. I know that nothing can ever reconcile us. Even a talk from the Queen will not change my mind.

"Haruka…." I heard a voice echo behind me. I was so shocked that my face turned cold and my heart skipped a beat.

A gossamer glowing gown swayed in the wind and along with it carried a familiar scent. It could only mean one person.

"Neo Queen Serenity." I immediately bowed down as she descended in front of me…so ethereal and powerful that she can project herself to another place and time without her physical body.

"How did you find me..Koneko-chann." I said as I winked as I was bowing. My white coat of arms and coat touching the ground in respect.

She chuckled.

" A millennium have not changed you at all hasn't it?" She spoke as if it was a rhetorical question.

"…or has it? Uranus." She echoed with a change in intensity. Her sweet voice emanating regality that was not present minutes before. How I have forgotten how comforting her sweet voice and presence..being immersed in such solitude and isolation for so long.

" Michi…Neptune…and I have parted ways." I said flatly, trying to hide the pain in my voice.

" As I've heard." She confirmed.

The next thing I know, with the stroke of her fingers she had led me in the palace garden with her. I was surprised with such a demonstration of power.

"So you are nearing your ultimate form? As Sailor Cosmos?" I asked politely. Her advance in powers surprised me. I have not realized that centuries have passed.

" I suppose. Even I surprise myself. So where were we? Regarding you and Michiru-chan. What made you both decide on something as drastic as this…after being together for so long. Not merely centuries mind you!" For an instance I could see the kawaii Usagi peering through her..waiting to be free.

" Well, since you are so bent on evading her, I have something to ask of you as my senshi. I want you to go back in time…900 years ago to be precise and to tweak some things that have gone wrong. You see, Effervesca's power is growing and I believe that all is traced during that particular time line."

" So this is a mini vacation to the past, isn't it?" I said half-joking as I caressed the hilt of my sword dagger.

" Sort of. Instructions will be sent to you via Setsuna…and one thing."

"nani?"

" You shouldn't see yourself."

"Yokai." I said as I winked at her. "But one last thing, Your highness."

Without hesitation I lightly kissed her cheek and curtsied.

As I said it, Serenity touched my forehead and basked me in this warm powerful light.

900 YEARS BACK IN TIME

I woke up in a strange and different bed. I cuddled at the figure beside me.

" Haruka…." She moaned as she tightened her embrace.

Am I dreaming, am I the Haruka of the Future or the Present and have just awakned from a dream about myself breaking up with Michiru of the Future? This is getting confusing.

As I regained full consciousness I've realized that I am currently naked under the covers. It seems that we had just been through "lovemaking" the night before…or have we?

I was quickly reminded on how we used to "not wear" our pajamas on sweltering nights. I looked at the clock. It stated March 31, 2007. I began to feel the temperature in my environment and felt my skin a bit damp with sweat. The sun was shining so brightly and I glanced at the clock. So it is confirmed that this is summer and midday. I stared at the lovely vision in front of me resisted the urge to caress her skin. Her plumper waistline confirms my belief that she is Michiru of the Past since Michiru of the future is slimmer and has a longer hair up to her waist. A slight pang of hurt stung me at the very moment. I reminded myself that this is but a mission and she will be gone from my life, eventually.

However, it is also a possibility that I am being delusional, and that I am only imagining that I am Haruka of the present. One thing to confirm that I am myself as I know it through the presence of a belly button ring. I disentagled myself from her limbs and went to the bathroom.

Yes. I am Haruka plus 900 years.. and I have a longer hair right now running below my neck.

I was caught off guard as she embraced me. The feeling was so intimate and intense that I almost felt the love that she was sending me. I reminded myself that I am back in the time when we were passionately young, innocent and happy.

"Ruka…amai…why did you leave me all of a sudden." She purred. She had the blanket wrapped around her. She was pouting.

" You're so cute. I almost forgot how adorable you are." I said. She looked at me puzzled.

"You came home last night looking strange and exhausted. I thought that you are still in Germany for your track meet. I was surprised that you didn't even call me to pick you up in the airport…..and oh! I liked your outfit last night by the way." She winked as she said it. I stared at her milky soft skin and her flowing aqua curls concealing her shoulders.

My outfit?I stared at the clothes laying at the chair beside the bed. Oh. My clothes from the future.

She wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Ruka-channnn, Love…you're still kind of lost? Is it jet lag or are you having a hang-over? I missed you so much" She hugged me.

"Liked your hair by the way." She said as she ran her fingers over my hair.

I chuckled at her remark. Good old Michiru.

She rummaged our mini-bedside ref for some strawberries with cream and began munching. She placed one on my mouth.

"Hey…did you know that scientifically speaking, strawberries makes you more sensitive?"

Need not elaborate further.