Ok so this is my first story in quite some time, I have to thank Mererid and Haruka-chan212 because without them I never would have finished chapter one or the subsequent chapters for that matter. Feel free to review....please. First chapters title is a Cardigans song.....
The outer senshi were all sitting down to dinner at Michiru and Haruka's condo. Setsuna was glad to give Hotaru the chance to see the other senshi, since she had been busy with her high school exams. She had grown at an alarming rate. It had only been four years since the battle with Sailor Galaxia, and Hotaru was ready to enter high school. Luckily the rapid growth had only lasted two years. In the past two years she had grown from age 12 to 16. Ami had recently concluded that her cells where beginning to age normally without any adverse effects.
Now that there was no current threat to earth, the outer senshi had hoped to spend more time together, time that didn't involve them fighting for their lives.
Michiru and Haruka were both equally busy as well. The three older senshi rarely had time to visit with each other recently. After high school, both Michiru and Haruka decided that, because of their unique skill sets, university wasn't for them. Michiru had concentrated on her art. She had a large show coming up for the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo. It was a celebration of three of her pieces being excepted into the museum's permanent collection. She also had performed as a soloist with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra several times.
Haruka had, of course, taken a different approach. She continued to race, however this time she wasn't running from anything. She entered any race she could find and was even starting to put together her own racing company. It wasn't anything big yet, but slowly she was putting together the idea. So far she was undefeated in the motor cross circuit. That was where she really excelled. She spent most of her free time perfecting and modifying her racing bike.
"So Setsuna." Haruka started slowly. "How is the fashion designer job working out so far?"
"It's not a just a job to pass the time Haruka," Michiru stated firmly "It's a great opportunity for her, being lucky enough to be chosen by Mori Hanae as her newest protégé."
Setsuna smiled at the mention of her job.
"It is going really well. I do have to choose a final project soon though. I'm just not sure how to go about it yet. It should be a design that is all my own and not influenced by anyone else."
Hotaru smiled at Setsuna.
"I'm sure that whatever you end up doing will turn out great!" She said excitedly. Setsuna smiled and nodded at Hotaru thankful for the girl's constant support. "What about you Haruka?" Hotaru continued focusing her attention on the blonde senshi. "I know that Michiru is in the middle of composing new music, what are you doing?" Haruka leaned back in her chair before responding.
"Well…" Haruka responded slowly. "I do have a race two weeks from Saturday; I was hoping a certain someone would come see me." She said shyly looking at Michiru who did nothing but smile back. "You aren't too cool now to come to a moto circuit race are you?" Haruka asked. Hotaru nearly jumped out her chair in excitement.
"Of course I want to come Haruka-papa!" she said excitedly while the others laughed. "Setsuna, we'll be able to go right?" Setsuna smiled and nodded. When dinner was finished Michiru went in to the kitchen after clearing the plates from the table. Setsuna saw Haruka entertaining Hotaru with stories of her racing career and followed Michiru to the kitchen.
"Do you want help with the washing?" Setsuna asked handing Michiru a glass.
"No I'm just gathering things together; I'll do this when you guys have gone." Michiru replied smiling. Setsuna nodded.
"I know that it isn't any of my business and that you are fully capable of deciding what is best for you, but I want to know if you have come to a decision yet." Setsuna said. Michiru stopped putting dishes in the sink and turned to Setsuna.
"You're right it isn't any of your business." Michiru replied sharply. Setsuna prepared to speak again. "If you must know" Michiru interjected before Setsuna could give her a long speech about whatever she thought. "Nothing has changed; I still need to be able see other people." Michiru stated.
"I'm not against your personal growth, but I suggest that you and Haruka deal with this, before someone gets hurt." Setsuna rebuffed giving Michiru a piercing look.
"Please," Michiru said walking back out to the dining room. "You couldn't hurt Haruka if you tried."
The rest of the evening was spent laughing and enjoying each other's company. Eventually Setsuna and Hotaru made their exit, leaving Haruka and Michiru to finish the clean up from dinner. All that was really left to do was do the dishes. Michiru decided to let Haruka relax while she finished the dishes alone. Haruka took the opportunity to lie back on the couch and watch some television. She was flipping through channels and decided to stop on an old black and white movie. She put her arms behind her head, shut her eyes, and just listened to the sounds of an old black and white movie in the background. Michiru walked in the living room and saw Haruka reclined on the couch. She took a minute to really admire her friend; there was something so simple and beautiful about her. It was difficult for Michiru just being around her sometimes, there was no denying that she was extremely drawn to Haruka. But Michiru wasn't always sure what that meant. She decided she could think more about that later, at the moment she just wanted to be close to the other senshi. She slowly lowered herself on the couch and positioned herself in between Haruka's legs. Haruka opened her eyes and put her arms around the younger girl.
"Hey." Haruka said smiling.
"Hey yourself." Michiru replied resting her head against Haruka's chest. "Dinner was fun; we should do that more often." Haruka nodded while slowly running the tips of fingers up and down Michiru's arms. Michiru shuddered slightly at Haruka's touch and frowned as she felt Haruka abruptly stop.
"You know." Haruka started. "We should go to the ski resort that just reopened." She mused. Michiru froze suddenly this conversation was going in a direction she didn't like. "It could be just the two of us for a long weekend." Haruka suggested smiling to herself at the prospect of being alone with Michiru. Michiru, determined not to let Haruka keep her train of thought, raised her head from Haruka's chest and started kissing her neck. "Um, we could get our own private cabin." Haruka stuttered surprised by Michiru's actions. "It would be really…" Haruka started but her words were caught in her throat as she felt Michiru dragging her nails against her stomach. "Michi, what are you doing?" Haruka forced out as Michiru's hands brushed against the bottom of her breasts. Michiru smiled and sat up so she was straddling Haruka. Haruka was about to protest when Michiru pulled her up by her tank top and kissed her passionately. After a long moment the kiss was broken by Michiru. She started to unbutton her blouse while Haruka watched. She slowly shrugged her shirt off so she was only in her bra. Haruka smiled and leaned Michiru back so her back was against the couch she was on top her. Haruka ran her hands up Michiru's sides before leaning in to kiss her again. When the kiss was broken both women were breathing heavily.
"Do you have a problem with what's going on Ruka?" Michiru teased. Haruka simply smiled, swung her legs over the side of the couch and stood up carrying Michiru with her. Michiru giggled as they entered the door to her bedroom.
"So you never told me" Haruka said kissing Michiru's hand as they lay together in the afterglow of their previous activities. "What do you think about going on a small getaway with me?" she asked sincerely. Michiru's body tensed the second Haruka kissed her hand, and Haruka could sense it. "What is it Michiru? How have I offended you now?" Haruka said slightly irritated. Michiru sighed and rolled on her side slightly away from Haruka.
"I don't want to go to the ski resort." Michiru whispered hoping Haruka would just drop the subject and relax.
"Why not? You love skiing and you've done some of your best painting in a secluded area. You had a great time when we went with the girls…" Haruka ranted getting out of the bed and putting her clothes back on. Haruka was about to speak again when she heard.
"I just don't want to go there with you." From Michiru in a hushed voice. Haruka stopped looking for her clothes and walked around to the side of the bed that Michiru was now facing.
"I do not understand you Michiru. At first you said we couldn't be distracted with our feelings towards each other." Haruka said. Michiru tried to look away but Haruka wouldn't let her.
"Ruka." Michiru said quietly.
"Then you said you needed time to see we really felt for each other. What else can I do to show you how much I care for you?" Haruka questioned angrily.
"Ruka." Michiru repeated a little louder.
"Everything I do is for you. And when I try to pull back from being physical, you always pull me in. There is something between us. Stop hesitating"
"Haruka!" Michiru interrupted Haruka's rant that was getting increasingly angrier. "Haruka, I'm really comfortable with what we have now. All I want is my friend and if sometimes we can be a little more then that's a bonus. That was the original arrangement." Michiru stated plainly.
"But I want more Michiru; I want us to be real. I want you, not something the others joke about. I want a relationship." Haruka pleaded.
"Well I don't. Not with you, I'm sorry if you feel differently but there's nothing I can do about how you feel." There was a long silence; Michiru had never seen anyone look as hurt as Haruka did when she looked in to her eyes. Haruka started to step forward toward Michiru but then stopped. She looked down at the floor for a second. Michiru's first instinct was to embrace her friend and apologize but she knew she couldn't do that. When Haruka looked up she looked as though she was going to speak but she simply clenched her jaw grabbed her top from the floor and walked out. Michiru heard the door to Haruka's room slam shut and she collapsed on to her bed and cried.
The next morning Michiru woke and remembered the fight she and Haruka had the previous night. I shouldn't have been so cold. Michiru thought as she got out of bed and walked towards the door of her room. We'll make up, we always do. Michiru smiled to herself at the thought of makeup sex as she knocked on Haruka's door. "Ruka, are you awake?" No response. "I was really out of line last night, let's talk. I'll make it all better." She said coyly. Still no response. "Haruka?" Michiru questioned and she opened the door. When she looked in she saw that Haruka's dresser drawers were open and most of the clothes were gone, many of her possessions were also missing, and there was no sign of Haruka.