DISCLAIMER: I do not own Sailor Moon. Thank you to Takeuchi-sama for giving us such awesome characters to play with.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Michiru's POV for your enjoyment.

The Concert: The American Tour

Michiru Kaioh

I was still looking out the window when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Michiru?"

"Hai," I answered and looked up.

"You shall see her again soon enough," my manager tried in vain to make me feel better.

I stared through her. She offered me a glass of red wine, but I waved it away.

"Michiru, I wish you would cheer up."

"Setsuna, perhaps you would be as so kind as to tell me how?"

Setsuna shrugged her shoulders and sipped on her wine. I resumed looking out the window at the clouds. My thoughts were of Haruka. I glanced at my watch and wondered if she received the package I sent her.

"Setsuna? Who did you get to replace Eri?" I asked, looking out the window.

Setsuna took the seat across from me and settled in before answering.

"Elsa Gray," Setsuna answered flatly and sipped her wine.

"NANI?" I exclaimed and looked at Setsuna incredulous.

"Da…re, dear, not nani," Setsuna responded flippantly.

"Dare…nani…whatever! Why Elsa Gray?"

"She was available and you two played very well together."

"Hai, we played well only on stage! We were lovers for five years and it did not end well. She became so obsessed with getting me back; I had to threaten her with a restraining order."

"Oh! I did not know this," Setsuna said shocked.

"What are we going to do?" I asked, extremely concerned.

"She has probably gotten over you by now," Setsuna tried to sound confident.

"Let us hope," I sighed deeply and returned to staring out the window.

Several hours later, the private jet landed in New York City and a limousine whisked us to our luxury hotel.

Once I and my belongings arrived in the penthouse suite, I settled in. My stomach was in knots. Between missing Haruka, finding out Elsa Gray is my accompanist, and starting my first American tour, I could not eat or sleep. I changed into my nightgown and got into bed. As I lay in bed, trying to fall asleep, I wondered if Haruka received the package I arranged to have delivered to her before I left. I remembered something I forgot and jumped out of bed. Rummaging through the clothes I just changed out of, I reached into a pocket and took out Haruka's tuxedo tie, which I found under my bed back in Tokyo. It still smelled of her. I held it close and remembered our times together, before sheer exhaustion finally took me to dreamland.

The next morning, the telephone jarred me awake. I sat up in my bed and answered the wake up call I ordered the night before. I got out of bed and prepared for what I suspected was going to be a stressful day in rehearsal.

I walked into rehearsal full of trepidation. The knuckles of my hand holding my violin case were pure white. I heard Elsa before I saw her. She has a distinct playing style and I recognized it instantly.

"Michiru-chan," Elsa hissed without looking up from the keys.

"Elsa," I said flatly as I opened my violin case.

"It's been a long time," Elsa responded, still not looking up.

"Elsa, I hope you will be professional," I said with a bit of an edge in my tone, in order to make my point.

"Always…Kaioh-san," Elsa said sarcastically.

It was then I knew today was going to be a long day.

I could not wait to get out of rehearsal. Even though Elsa was professionalism personified while playing, she took every opportunity to verbally assault me. Apparently, she still had some resentment to work through.

Upon my arrival at the hotel, I contacted my manager and instructed her to locate another accompanist as soon as possible. I wanted to hear Haruka's voice, but I did not wish to bother her, so I changed into my swim suit and went to the hotel pool for a long relaxing swim.

When I returned from my swim, it was time to prepare for the concert. After I finished bathing and dressing, I checked the time. I had thirty minutes before the concert. If I did not find something to take my mind off my stage fright, I knew I would be an absolute mess for the concert. I decided to call Haruka.

"Hai?"

"Haruka?" I asked tentatively, because she did not sound like herself.

"Michiru!"

"Gomenasai, did I wake you? I forgot about the sixteen hour time difference, gomenasai," I apologized profusely, covering my lie.

"No, no. It's so good to hear your voice. Are you settled in?"

"It is good to hear your voice as well. Hai, all settled in. My first concert starts in thirty minutes."

"You'll be fine. You're an exceptional violinist and America is lucky to have this opportunity to see you perform."

"Arigato Haruka," I blushed.

Listening to Haruka's voice was very relaxing.

"I got the package you sent me. Arigato. It helped me sleep last night."

I felt tears welling in my eyes and a lump in my throat.

"Haruka...I miss you," I could not stifle my sniffle.

"I miss you too. I wish I were there for your opening night."

I wished I were in Haruka's arms again.

"I think the arts and entertainment channel may broadcast the concert."

"I'll check the guide," Haruka said excitedly.

The background noise sounded like she turned on her television.

"Yes, the concert will be broadcast tonight. I'll be sure to watch it."

She did turn on her television.

"You do not have to," I said, but felt giddy at the prospect she would.

"I know…I want to."

The door to my penthouse suite opened and Setsuna entered, followed by her always present entourage. They were chatting loudly and Setsuna called my name.

"You have to go?" Haruka asked disappointed.

"Hai. I miss you," I said sadly.

"I miss you too," Haruka said glumly.

"Haruka…," I paused as I decided whether or not to tell Haruka I loved her, "Bye-bye." I decided against it.

"Bye."

I quickly hung up the telephone seconds before Setsuna was standing before me.

"Time to go take America by storm dear," Setsuna said with a flourish.

I nodded, checked myself in the mirror, and took a deep breath. I picked up my violin case and left the penthouse suite.

During the limousine ride to Carnegie Hall, Setsuna chatted intimately on her mobile telephone with her wife back in Japan. I kept taking deep breaths, trying to remain calm. Those two have been together for ten years, but they still act like newlyweds. I envied their relationship.

"How is Minako?" I asked as we pulled up to Carnegie Hall.

"She is fine and says hello."

We exited the limousine and were quickly whisked to my dressing room. Setsuna took my violin case from me and handed it to the stage manager. I was in my dressing room for about a minute before I was called to the stage. I took several deep breaths and walked to the stage.

Between the spotlight on the piano and the stage guide lights, I easily found my mark in front of the piano and waited. A single spotlight came on, blinding me for a second, and I heard the audience applauding. I waited for the applause to die down, bowed, and picked up my violin. I dramatically drew my bow across the strings and started the first piece. The music filled my ears and I forgot about the audience. Once again, I was making love to my beloved instrument on stage and to my handsome racer in my mind.

Before I knew it, I arrived at my last piece for the night. I glanced over to the side of the stage at the stage manager. She handed me a microphone. I bowed and addressed the audience.

"Hello New York City. I am Michiru Kaioh. Thank you for attending my first concert here in America."

The audience applauded. I turned and looked directly into the television camera.

"This last number is dedicated to my beloved Haruka. Aishiteru yo."

The audience applauded and I began my last piece.