Disclaimer : I don't own the characters.

A/N : Dedicated to Silver Sailor Ganymede.

Summer Heat

Prologue

- Two Tickets -

A smile appeared on Minako's lips. She was standing outside on a bridge, staring down at the clear water beneath her. It was official now. Summer had started. The only downside to it was that she had no one to take along on a long holiday. A few days ago she had won two ticket to France. Everything was settled already, except for the person she could bring along.

Going alone wasn't that bad but Minako simply disliked going to a place she wasn't familiar with. And certainly not by herself. She had asked the inner senshi to come along but they all had made other plans already. Rei was going to work on her relationship with Yuuchiro. Makoto and Ami were going on a holiday to the U.S together and Usagi already had made plans with Mamoru. That didn't leave much possibilities. Setsuna had also declined since she had to watch the time gate for a few months. Hotaru was too young and well... Haruka and Michiru never went anywhere without the other so she hadn't even bothered to ask.

It was ofcourse an idea to ask Haruka and to buy an extra ticket for Michiru but Minako already knew she would feel like the fifth wheel on the wagon. Or however that saying went. She took a deep breath as her smile appeared once again. The wind was playing with her hair and all around her she could hear birds sing. Oh yes, she certainly loved the summer.

''Enjoying the freedom?'' Suddenly someone asked. Minako didn't have to turn around to know who it was. She could recognize that husky voice anywhere.

''Good afternoon Haruka,'' She whispered as a blush appeared on her cheeks. She didn't know where that came from. Somehow whenever she saw Haruka she couldn't help it but feel all warm and giddy inside. She could fell Haruka's eyes on her. Slowly she looked up at the taller blonde. Haruka was no leaning against the railing of the bridge as well, looking up back at Minako.

''I love the summer although, not much wind.'' Haruka paused for a moment, enjoying the confused look on the other's face. ''All senshi have got their own element. Mine is wind. Somehow I feel relaxed whenever I close my eyes and listen to it. Don't you ever have that?''

Minako shook her head. This was the first time Haruka had approached her like this and had actually started a conversation with her. Usually it was about the 'normal' stuff like Senshi bussiness but now that was done, all put behind them. ''I like going to the beach.'' She finally said.

For a few seconds it remained silent between the two of them. Then Haruka's laughter broke through the silence causing Minako to look up again with an even more confused look on her face. Had she said something funny? ''Sorry,'' Haruka said after a few more seconds of laughing. ''It's just... You remind me a lot of Michiru. She loves the beach. In fact, she's always trying to drag me there.''

''I'd love to see you in a bikini.'' Minako giggled as Haruka's cheeks turned the slightest color of red. However it seemed Haruka caught herself in the act and quickly recovered. ''Talking about Michiru. I've won two tickets for France but since I can't find anyone to come along... Would you like to have them? I bet you and Michiru would have a great time together.''

A smile appeared on the taller woman's face. ''I can't take them. You shouldn't give up on finding someone to come along. I am sure a lot of people are dying to go to France with you.''

Minako gazed down again. ''Five people declined already.''

''You just asked the wrong people.'' Haruka said, placing a hand on Minako's shoulder. Immidiately the goddess of love looked up again, her blush growing deeper by the second.

Minako's smile turned into a smirk. ''And if I asked you. Would you go with me?''

''Who knows.'' The tomboy paused for a moment before bending down. ''Why don't you give it a try?'' She whispered in the smaller girl's ear. Minako couldn't help it but feel like melting at that point. Haruka was surely living up to her reputation as a seductive flirt.

''Now you're just messing with me.'' She giggled, trying her best not to sound too goofy. ''Michiru would never let you go with me. Knowing you...''

''Michiru is not my boss, is she?'' Haruka interrupted the smaller girl while moving a bit closer.

''I didn't...I didn't mean to..'' Minako stammered, fearing she had said something to upset Haruka. Luckily she was proved wrong by the smile that played on Haruka's lips. What was she going to do now? Ask Haruka to come with her? Just the two of them in France? In one hotel? Together for one complete week. Surely they were friends but no matter how you looked at it they still didn't know each other at all.

All she knew was that Haruka loved to listen to the sound of the wind, she knew Haruka was a racer. She knew Haruka loved to run, was strong and liked flirting with girls who didn't even see it coming. ''W-would you...?'' Minako wanted to to finish her question but somehow she wasn't able to do so. She felt so embarrassed.

''I'd love to.'' Haruka said. She didn't even wait for the other to finish. She usually wouldn't go anywhere without Michiru by her side but lately she had found it more appealing to do something else than to follow the aqua haired girl everywhere. Just because they were dating didn't mean they had to be together 24/7. Yet, going away to a different country with Minako wasn't what she had planned either.

She didn't even know why she had let it come to this. Maybe it was that look on Minako's blue eyes she couldn't resist. Or maybe it was simply because she had always wanted to know Minako a bit better. She found Minako one of the most interesting girls alive. She was so full of life, so full of love and yet so strong and motivated. It was something Haruka envied.

''Great!'' Minako cheered. Then without any warning she jumped into the others arms and hugged her tightly. This surely was something new to Haruka. Michiru wasn't the type to jump in her arms when feeling happy about something. Minako still had something childish written over her. But in a good way.

Haruka smirked a bit before returning the hug the other was giving her. ''See it as an early birthday present.''

Minako giggled. ''But I won the tickets.. you should see this as an early birthday present for you.''

The other thought about it for a moment. ''Good point.'' With that she put Minako down on the ground again. Their eyes met and for a few minutes they just stood there, looking at each other and enjoying the feeling of the warm sun that was shining upon them.

''Well I'd better get going then.'' Haruka said, breaking through the silence once more. ''I think Michiru would like to know about this little trip before we go. Don't you think?''

Minako nodded. ''Upcoming friday.'' She whispered, letting Haruka know what they they'd be leaving.

''Upcoming friday.'' Haruka repeated and nodded. With that she pushed herself away from the railing and started to walk towards the path again. before she did however she bend down once again and placed a small kiss on Minako's cheeks. With a satisfied smile on her lips she finally started to walk away again, leaving a very confused and happy Minako behind.

This certainly promised to be something good.

To Be Continued...