A/N – Soft Cruelty takes place in November, Soft Cruelty: An Usagi and Michiru Christmas is set the 24th and 25th of December. Soft Cruelty: The Maelstrom Dream is set in April of the following year, 4 months after SC: Christmas. Soft Cruelty: Summer Days takes place in July, 3 months after SC: Dream. Shortly after the events of SC: Dream, Minako met Setsuna at the college she was going to. That's how the other Outers came to know the Inners. In June, after the scouts had known each other for a little over a month, the cats reappeared and unlocked the seal placed upon all of the senshi's minds after Sailor Moon defeated Galaxia. Since this is a kinda-sorta-but-not-exactly AU fiction, after the battle with Galaxia and the star seeds were returned, Eternal Sailor Moon used the powers of the Silver Crystal to seal the memories of the events away in the minds of her senshi, both Inner and Outer courts. This was so that things could start off fresh. That they may each make their own destinies instead of being forced to follow preset paths. After having their memories restored (Mamoru gained his as well), the scouts and Mamoru decided that if that future was truly intended to happen, then it would of its own accord without their interference. Michiru and Usagi, Ami and Makoto, Rei and Minako, Haruka and Setsuna all decided to keep things as they were. Michiru and Usagi especially, since neither were willing to give each other up. Despite the initial protests of the lunar cats, Usagi was firm in her resolve and Luna and Artemis eventually relented.

The timeline above should help you understand how in this fanfiction, the Inners and Outers know each other, and how Chibi-usa has appeared. But then again, where Chibi-usa is concerned…don't judge a book by its cover. ;)

Triple digits for the next week and a half were the weathermen had predicted. Pools, lakeside retreats, and beachfront escapes were packed to capacity. The heat from the summer sun baked the humid air like kilns potters used to fire their clay work. The oppressive heat seemed to sink its uncomfortable hold into everything it could reach. And that which it couldn't, it forced its way in. The apartment was hot. Even with the curtains drawn shut and the ceiling fans working overtime, all they did were to further serve to mix the searing, hellish air. An anguished moan was heard from the blonde who lay on the couch in nothing but her panties and a baggy, sweat-soaked shirt that clung to her lithe body. One arm draped over her eyes, while the other hung limply off the side of the couch; hand and wrist resting palm-down on the plush carpet as they gripped the remote to the television. It wasn't even ten o'clock and the thermometer outside on the balcony read ninety-seven degrees Fahrenheit; thirty-six degrees Celsius. Of all the weeks to choose, the air conditioner had picked this ungodly week to go on the fritz. And, predictably, due to the hot weather all of the heating and air conditioning businesses were working overtime with calls they had to follow up on. The landlord she had talked to on the phone not half an hour ago had said that the soonest someone could be out to take a look at the building's central A/C unit would be tomorrow afternoon.

Soft Cruelty: Summer Days

By: LowFlyer1080

The sound of the front door opening broke Usagi from her suffering as she sat up to look over the couch. The sight of her lover somewhat surprised her as the violinist should have been at the studio already. She watched as the elegant aqua-haired goddess shut the door behind her, tossing her keys onto the small table that sat near the door and setting her hand purse down as well. She then noticed the look of utter deflation on her love's face as she herself let out a sorrowful moan, dragging herself down the hallway and into the darkened room lit only by a small lamp and the light from the kitchen area. Usagi couldn't help but laugh a little as the normally graceful woman plopped unceremoniously down into her favorite recliner. The giggle brought a look of irritation and confusion directed toward her.

"Sorry love, but I couldn't help but think of the old adage 'misery loves company'. Why are you home so early? You couldn't have been at the studio more than an hour."

"The manager sent everyone home." Michiru groaned, "The A/C couldn't keep up with the heat from all the electronics there as well as the heat outside. It never shut down to rest at all so he didn't want to risk it breaking down in the middle of a recording. So I come home and it's just as hot in here as it is outside."

"Yeah, that's because the central air units are down here in the complex. I called and talked to the landlord. He already told me he had called a company to come take a look at them but was told that the soonest anyone could be out would be tomorrow afternoon." This brought out another agonizing moan from Michiru.

"This sucks."

"Tell me about it. It's too hot to do anything." The blonde replied, fanning herself with the neck of her shirt. The action caught the eyes of a certain aqua-haired violinist who now noticed the state of dress that her girlfriend was currently in. Sensing the look, Usagi responded, "Don't even think about it. I love you with all my heart, but it's too hot even for that Michi-koi."

The sentence brought a giggle from the girl in question who got up and began walking back to their bedroom to change out of her white sundress she had put on not more than two hours ago which was already damp from her own sweat. Just then, the phone rang. "I'll get it!" called Usagi's voice from the living room. As Michiru peeled out of the cotton dress she could hear the muffled voices of her lover talking to whoever it was on the phone. Removing her bra and grabbing a loose fitting teal t-shirt like what her Usako was wearing she headed back out of the bedroom toward her lover who sound rather excited.

"Alright! We'll see you tomorrow then!...Mmmhmm!...Great! Ja ne!" She chirped as she hung up the phone. Bouncing up off the couch in complete defiance of the oppressive heat she beamed a smile at her Michiru.

"Alright, love." The woman laughed, "What is it this time?"

"That was Rei-chan. She's invited us to join her up at hers and Minako-chan's mountain cabin for the week!"

"Oh really? And who else would happen to be joining us?" she replied as she moved up to Usagi and wrapped her arms loosely around the blonde's waist despite the unbearable temperature.

"Ami-chan and Mako-chan of course." the princess responded, resting her hands on her love's hips as she felt the arousal start to burn within herself despite apprehension at knowing who else was going.

"Anyone else?" Michiru asked gently, sliding her hands under the white t-shirt covering Usagi and rubbing her lower back.

"Umm…Minako said something about inviting Haruka-san and Setsuna-san as well." She glanced away, but added quickly as she looked back up, "Of course, Hotaru-chan would be coming too."

"Well, with the heat I doubt my manager would mind me taking some vacation time…"

"You mean you wouldn't mind staying near Haruka and Setsuna for the week?"

"I'm sure I'll manage, Usa. I've had a while to get over it and I can say it doesn't hurt like it used to." She replied in a soft voice.

"I'm glad…" came the reply, "I love you, Michiru."

"I love you too, Usa. Besides," Michiru tightened her arms and pulled her love snug against her, enjoying the intimate press, "I have you. And that's all I'll ever need."

Their lips softly crashed together, Usagi bringing her arms up to twine around Michiru's neck, holding her gently in place as Michiru's own hands roamed bare skin underneath her Usako's white shirt. Nipping gently at Michi's lower lip, Usagi was rewarded with a slight gasp. Taking the opportunity, she slipped her tongue into her love's mouth, exploring the soft, moist heat and sharp teeth within. The aqua-haired woman wasn't to be outdone however as her own tongue met Usagi's, swirling around each other. Pulling back slightly, Usagi worked her kisses down the length of Michiru's jaw to where it met her neck as the girl tightened her arms around the blonde and tilted her head slightly to give her love better access. She gasped as her blonde girlfriend sucked gently on her pulse-point, nipping lightly at the life rushing beneath her skin and hearing the hiss of a breath being pulled in.

"I thought it was too hot even for that, Kyuuketsuki-koi?" Michiru teased gently and smiled when she felt the same grin against her neck.

"Kyuuketsuki?" came the soft question, followed in an instant by another light bite on the aqua-haired girl's neck making her go weak in the knees.

"Couldn't help it, it came to mind." She replied, tilting her head even more and tightening her grip on her lover's waist as she felt a tongue gently massage the bite mark.

"Well seeing as how you're hot and I'm hot; we're both sweaty; may as well, ne?" Usagi pulled back and looked at her lover with heavy-lidded eyes charged with desire, "Besides, seeing you in nothing but a shirt and panties is turning me on."

"Mmmm, I see. Well, let's find out if there's anything I can do to help you get your mind off this, atmospheric heat…and perhaps onto another type of heat." Her sultry voice brought a light blush to the blonde's cheeks as the ocean goddess pulled away, her hand sliding down the bunny's arm to gently tug at her hand. Suddenly the hot air felt icy cool against her heated skin and the warmth that radiated from her aqua lover's body as she followed the woman into their bedroom, grinning like the cat that ate the canary all the way. Sometimes, it felt like her life was just too good!

(Kyuuketsuki is Japanese for 'vampire')

Predictably, Michiru's boss didn't mind her taking some paid vacation off from work for a couple of reasons. One being she was a highly valued employee and he wanted to keep her happy. The second being he had closed down the studio until a second A/C unit could be installed. The only ones at the office were him and a few secretaries. Usagi's boss also didn't mind her taking off for the week as business had been rather slow due to the heat wave that had covered the city and the vast majority of the surrounding area. The morning found the two lovers hurrying to get clothes packed for the next six days and seven nights.

"We've got to hurry. Rei-chan and Mina-chan wanted everyone to meet up at the Hikawa Jinja by ten." The bunny said, frantically trying to get her hair up.

"Well we wouldn't be running late if you hadn't insisted upon taking a shower together." The goddess shot back with a grin, moving back into the bathroom to help her lover.

"Mou! I distinctly recall you not having any objections about it!"

"I didn't, my love."

"…"

"You know, your hair would be easier to do up if we just braided it. These odangoes of yours are a bit complicated my love." The goddess continued, changing the subject with a smile.

"Ehh, we can worry about that later. Let's get moving!" the blonde replied as they finished her hair and she hurried out the room.

The two lovers each grabbed their suitcases, Michiru also getting their bag with their bathroom essentials in it. Usagi shut off the lights in the kitchen and turned off the ceiling fans as well. With everything ready to go the two stepped out in the hall. Usagi locked the door behind them and they hurried down the hall toward the elevator, hand-in-hand. The ride down to the lobby was made in comfortable silence and as they walked through the lobby toward the parking garage, they both waved and greeted a good morning to the security guard at the front desk who smiled and waved back. The couple made their way outside and across the parking lot to the garages. Pushing the opener, the door moved up to reveal the foreign-made muscle car inside. It was one of the perks of being somewhat famous and well off that Michiru enjoyed with Usagi. Sometimes the two would just go out on a drive through the countryside to escape the stress of the city. They usually stopped somewhere and had a picnic, just the two of them. However the recent heat waves had made that almost impossible, with this latest one being the worst yet. The couple put their bags in the trunk and climbed in, feeling the warm leather mold itself to their bodies. Sticking the key in the ignition, Michiru started the car. The engine came to life, purring contently as if glad it would get to go out and stretch its wheels with its owners once again. Buckling up, they backed out of the garage, Usagi pushing the remote inside to close the door. Pulling out onto the street, Michiru smoothly shifted gears, slipping quickly between the light morning traffic as the hot breeze blew through the air. Usagi always loved this. Michiru said that 'going for a cruise' was a quirk she must have picked up from Haruka. Conversation was light between them as the Camaro moved with a low growl and feline grace down the streets on its way to the Hikawa Jinja, Usagi's hand resting on Michiru's thigh.

Pretty soon, the shrine came into view, its long stone staircase stretching up the hill toward the main building. Out front, down by the street were the group of friends Usagi had grown up with in middle and high school and had shared a very special bond with. The senshis' conversations dropped off as they heard the car approaching, its custom-ordered exhaust making its American heritage stand out loudly in the midst the quieter traffic of Japan's capital city. Usagi grinned at Michiru who just smiled and shook her head, the gaping mouths of the moon princess' guardians testament to the fact that they had never seen Michiru's 'other baby' until now. The two guardian cats, Luna and Artemis, just sat there bug-eyed. Rolling up smoothly to a stop, Michiru shut the car off, quickly getting out and around to get the door for Usagi who stepped out with a hand from her lover.

"I take it you all like Michiru's car?" Usagi said with a wry grin at the looks on the other girls' faces, leaning back into Michiru's embrace as the ocean goddess held her from behind.

The metallic aquamarine paint of the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro convertible gleamed in the hot sun, its two silver racing stripes shining brightly. The five-spoke chrome rims sparkled and scattered the light that bore down upon them. The dark grey leather interior was luxurious and soft, with chrome detailing outlining the six-speed stick shift and dashboard displays which included a computerized GPS tracking system and state-of-the-art stereo. Under the hood was nestled a powerful 5.7 liter V8 engine, 427 cubic inches of raw power. Its automated piston-control could shut down four cylinders when they weren't needed and turn them on for extra power making the car fairly fuel efficient. The dual exhaust system had twin glass pack mufflers which made the modern muscle car purr like a big cat when idling or stopped at a streetlight, but growl low and loud when 'given a little gas'. Even Haruka was impressed by Michiru's choice; her 2004 yellow Ferrari was parked just behind Makoto and Ami's sedan. This foreign newcomer's stockcar-style frame made the older Ferrari's sleek athletic body look rather cliché.

"Wow. Nice car." commented Makoto.

"Thank you." replied Michiru, "We like it very much."

"Luna!" Usagi cried happily upon seeing the black cat, opening her arms and catching the feline when she jumped into her arms, "I hope you've been behaving for Rei-chan and Mina-chan?"

"Hai. They've taken good care of myself and Artemis since everyone got their memories back."

"Good. Are you two coming with us to the cabin?"

"Yes we are, Usagi-chan." replied Artemis who was standing at Usagi's feet, looking up expectantly at Luna.

Sensing what the little white cat wanted she lowered herself enough to let Luna hop out of her arms and land gracefully next to him. Standing back up she addressed everyone. "Are we all ready to go?"

"Yep, we were just waiting on you, odango." Rei mock-scolded her princess. "You're always late."

"Sorry, Rei-chan…but you know it's hard to resist Michiru's charms." Usagi teased back, knowing what Rei was like when it came to talking about that stuff.

"Whatever could you mean, Usagi-chan?"

"Oh, there wasn't any hot water this morning so we took a shower together. We needed some way to keep from freezing underneath all that cool water. It turns out we needed that cool water to help us calm down, otherwise we would have been later than what we were." Usagi shot back with a grin, her comment earning giggles from Makoto, Haruka, Minako, and Michiru; knowing smiles from Ami, Setsuna, and Hotaru; and a furious blush from Rei.

"That's mean." Michiru whispered in her lover's ear.

"C'mon guys! The day's a wastin' away and I would like to get to the cabin in time to take a swim at the lake!" Minako exclaimed as she climbed into Makoto's car.

"So where's this cabin at?" Haruka asked.

"It's in the hills near Lake Kizaki, about ten to fifteen minutes away from Omachi, Nagano and about half an hour from Matsumoto. It's about a three hour drive from here." Rei replied as they all headed for the cars. "Haruka, you guys are following us, with Michiru and Usagi bringing up the back."

"Minako!" Artemis called, "Luna and I are going to ride with Usagi and Michiru since we haven't seen them in quite a while."

"Alright, Artemis. Behave yourselves and don't claw up Michi's leather seats." The blonde replied as she buckled herself in and shut the door.

Michiru and Usagi were already in their car with the two cats when suddenly there was a loud snap like the crack of a whip followed by a small cry of surprise. It all ended with a light thump of something falling into the backseat of the Camaro. Everyone not already in the cars stopped to turn and look back at the convertible.

"Well, least this time I didn't fall on something hard." A pink-haired girl spoke as she gripped her small suitcase. The stares of seven people and two felines greeted her. "Well don't everyone say hello all at once!"

"Chibi-usa!" Hotaru exclaimed happily jogging back to her Michiru-mama's car. "You came!"

"Of course I came Taru-chan! You think I'd miss out on the best week of my life?" that comment earned quite a few curious glances at her, as well as a look from Setsuna before the guardian climbed into Haruka's Ferrari.

"I take it you want to ride with Michiru and Usagi too, hime-chan?" Haruka asked, already knowing the answer now that the pink-haired daughter of Usagi had shown up.

"Can I Haruka-papa?"

"She's got a nice car, she's got our daughter, she's got koneko-chan. Pretty soon she's gonna steal you away too, Tsuna-koi!" Haruka chuckled, earning a blush from the guardian as well as Usagi. "Go ahead, hime-chan, but behave for your Michiru-mama okay?"

"Arigato!"

"C'mon Hotaru." Usagi laughed as she got out and folded the seat forward so the firefly could climb in the back with her pink-haired friend. "Alright Haruka-chan, Mako-chan! Everyone's ready!" she called before getting back in herself.

Michiru once again started the car and grinned as the wind and thunder senshis stopped one final time and looked back at the gleaming convertible idling smoothly behind them. 'Eat your hearts out, girls. She's all mine.' The thought sparking more than one 'she' in her mind.

"That is so not fair." Haruka sighed.

"Oh hush, Ruka and get in." Setsuna giggled from her seat in the sports car.

"Hey! At least you have a Ferrari, Ami and I are lucky enough to have our Civic!" Makoto shot back with a laugh as she and the wind senshi each climbed into their respective cars and started them up. Soon the small motorcade pulled away from the shrine, on their way to a lakeside cabin in hopes of escaping the hellish heat wave that had blanketed itself over Tokyo and much of Japan.

End Chapter 1

DISCLAIMER – I don't own Sailor Moon. I'm just borrowing it for a story. Don't sue me please. I'm a college student and I already owe the feds enough money as it is.

A/N – This story is a result of many things. One being the Festival of Fire that has just wrapped up in World of Warcraft; the second being me watching a video on YouTube of a tribute to Rei Hino/Sailor Mars set to Sting's Desert Rose; the third, and biggest, being I've hit a block in writing my Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha fanfiction challenge, and the fourth being I just got done watching Please Teacher again, hence Lake Kizaki.