DISCLAIMER: I don't own Sailor Moon, esp. Haruka and Michiru :C but I wish I did.

"Michiru! You're not supposed to be here" He is a good man. If she weren't in love with Haruka, it would have been easy to dream of forever with him. If only.

"I just-"

"What is it love?" He tried to kiss her but somehow this day was different and this Michiru is definitely different.

"Michiru?"

"I can't marry you"

"What? Why?" His once shining hazel eyes casted a darker brown. If you listen close enough you can hear his heart already breaking. You can hear his mind already formulating the answers to his own question and he knows. He is right.

"Im still in love with Haruka. I'm so sorry."

Flight to France, Arrived, Departure at 10:00 a.m.

'That's my cue. Hello France, how will you welcome me? Not as racer… hmm… what do I want to be in France? An Entrepreneur? Nah, Im not that hands-on. A piano teacher? Sounds nice. I have to start somewhere eh? Goodbye Japan… I've learned a lot from you.'

She tried her best to fight back the tears and no sooner after that, she found herself dragging her feet towards her destination – Anywhere but here. Any place that would not remind her of what she's lost and what she has taken for granted.

Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Setsuna, what if something happened? I just feel like there's something wrong!" She stomped her foot on the floor like an impatient twelve year old.

Setsuna looked around trying to find something, knowing Haruka, she would probably leave the spare key somewhere nearby just in case she loses the other key. Haruka is always prepared. With her safety-is-paramount demeanor. And right she was, she saw something shine below her foot.

"Aha! Heres the key! Haruka, youre so predictable!"

Michiru was frantic. She swung the door open playing scenes in her head in slow motion. Expecting Haruka to be pleasantly surprised, rush to her and emrace her in a vice like grip and everything will be the way it was. She would welcome her into her arms and all those years of yearning will finally be over. She will now be satisfied with the life she has, but that would be in a perfect world. Which clearly, this is not. A rude awekening. The scene before her is instead one of emptiness. The house was empty. It looked like a hotel room, one that the tenant has checked out of. It was not in disarray. Everything was clean and minimalistic. The only aspect of any form of interior design was picture frames on the wall, tables and desks. She saw pictures of herself in almost every corner of the room, tables, counter tops and drawers. A tear escaped her eyes, it was as if Haruka wanted to relive every moment they spent together; Ones that have been suspended in time and captured in a photograph.

"Im so sorry Ruka. I didn't think about your pain. I was so bent on having my revenge." Her hand automatically clutched at her chest, trying to calm her heart from bursting.

"It's not your fault Michiru. Both of you did something to hurt the other, you guys just need time, neh?" She gently placed her hands on the smaller girl's shoulders. A feeling of dread lingering in their minds.

"I hope so. I just pray that I didn't make her wait too long. Come on, lets come back another day."

"Okay, ill just go get something to drink. I'm sure Haruka wouldn't mind."

As Setsuna made her way to the kitchen, Michiru picked up the framed photograph of their first anniversary. She couldn't help but smile at the memory of their youth. Their clumsiness during that particular day. They were nervous about something only young people were nervous about. They finally decided to take their relationship to another level. They can never be too intimate after that day. Just when she shifted her mood to a lighter one by reminiscing on happy memories, Setsuna distracted her from her train of thought by giving her a subtle warning that something was seriously wrong.

"Michiru! You might want to come over here!" She didn't shout nor was there panic in her voice, but her tone evoked sadness.

Michiru hesitantly went to the kitchen. You can always anticipate bad news when its coming, but just to check she asked:

"What is it?"

Setsuna didn't exactly know how to relay the message that has been carefully placed by Haruka, addressed to each and every one of them. So she decided to hand Michiru, the letter Haruka specifically wrote for her.

"What is it?" The violinist asked again.

"Just read it." And so she did.

Dearest Michiru,

I know you're probably happy right now. I am truly glad that you found someone who can love you the way you want to be loved. However, I do not deny the fact that I wish it was me in his place. I know I screwed up. Please believe me, it was not intentional. I know I have no room for explanations. I know I have no room in your heart. You do not want to be bothered by my none-sense again. I love you so much, I do not want to burden you with my love and my sadness that is why I am giving you the freedom you deserve. After all, It was I who ruined us. I ruined the chance of being with you forever. And I know, no matter how hard I wish for everything to be the way they were… it could never be. Just like you said, I have to let you go. I know you're in good hands and that you'll finally be happy. He is better than me. You chose him and that alone proves it. Take good care of yourself, our friends and our little girl. Goodbye, I love you.

Your Haruka

"No… no… Setsuna… this is… no…" Her knees almost caved but she desperately steadied herself. Such is life.

She took a few steps back before letting everything finally sink in. Haruka has left her! Just like she told her to. Kneeling in front of Setsuna she whimpered as she cried until the pain was too deep for tears. Had she accepted Haruka's effort, this wouldn't have happened and the confusion between them wouldn't have gotten this far. She knows she pushed her away. She was the reason Haruka was no longer here. Haruka tried. To say that she was determined or driven to get Michiru back for the past two years was an understatement. The blonde did everything she possibly can for Michiru's forgiveness, going as far as giving her this space so the odd haired beauty can live her life peacefully. A sense of fierce determination washed over her as she tried to put herself in the racer's shoes. She would be equally as driven. She would be equally as determined. She would be equally as patient. That would be her solution. She would get Haruka Tenoh back. No matter what. No matter how long it took.

"Setsuna, will you help me?" Her eyes were gleaming now.

"Of course Michiru." She added a small nod to her statement sensing her friends new found strength.

"I will find Haruka."

Her taller friend was taken aback by what she just said, but since she sensed the sincerity in the tone of the other's voice, she can only come up with a nod.

"Of course, but where?"

"I don't know…"

She's been looking for work everywhere. This was unbelievable! Migration is such a tricky thing isn't it? She can't even find a job as a mechanic because she has no "local" experience. How silly is that? She's a V8 racer for crying out loud! Not that it should matter to the French, since she mainly raced in Asia, Oceania and America. The piano teaching industry, if there is such, is so saturated that she just gave up on it. Any job would do! Not because she needs the money, she has more than enough. She just needs something to keep her busy. She is not the stay at home kind. Never was and never will be.

She collapsed on the red arm chair she purchased a few days from when she arrived. She has purchased a small unit over looking the river. It was quaint and rustic. She loved the character of her abode, much too different from all of the other structures that housed her weary soul in Japan. This one, was a heritage home.

She idly picked up the parcel that arrived on the mail, which was now lounging on her coffee table. She grabbed the yellow Manila envelope and tore one corner to slide the documents out.

Her petition for a name change was granted.

From Haruka Tenoh and now to Alex Tennou.

She sighed to herself before throwing the documents back into its containing folder and envelope and placing it on the coffee table. She sat back, looking at the ceiling.

"Bonjour, mon nom est Alex Tennou. Je suis une femme stupide qui vit en France" She practised her rusty French then burst out into fits of laughter.

"Engrish. Herro, I am Arex Tennou. I am a stupid woman riving in France." She laughed at her own accent and how ridiculous it sounded to her own ears. "I think Fuurench is better."

She shook her head at her momentary act of childishness, getting up from her seat. She patted her pockets to see if her keys were still where she left them this morning. Satisfied when she felt it underneath the fabric of her khaki pants she headed for the door.

...

She has been walking around the rich and lush scenery of her new chosen place of residence. Admiring its coastal views and historical architecture. The wind, ever present, went past her and it carried a certain aroma- bread? Cake? Pastry? She followed the trail of the scent, sniffing subtly to avoid looking like a dog, then she spotted a bakery.

She looked at the signs surrounding the small establishment but what really caught her eye was a small notice behind the glass window.

"HELP NEEDED. APPLY WITHIN. TRAINING PROVIDED. Look for Michelle."

She clicked her tongue. This might just be her lucky day. She pushed through the surprisingly heavy door and heard the door chimes' melody ring through the whole store. Suddenly all eyes were on her, she is a new face after all. She gulped. Clearing her throat she finally spoke those few words. Finally testing her fluency in French,

"I'm looking for Michelle?" Then a brunette with wavy hair turned around to face her. She's beautiful.

"Oui?" The brunette went closer to her, wiping sediments of caked up flour on her cute pink little apron.

"Uhm, hi, I'm Ha- Alex Tennou. I'm interested with the job if its still available." She extended her hand for formalities sake and the smaller girl humbly accepted.

"I'm Michelle. Owner and manager. We sure could use some help around here as long as you're alright with waking up early and working for long hours. You might or might not have your weekends free. Depends on how busy we are. Are you alright with that?" Michelle covered Alex's hand with both her hands causing the blonde to blush.

"It sounds perfect."

There we go. Chapter 2 is done and dusted. Please do leave me a review. Don't hit and run, I like interacting with my readers. I like knowing what you guys are thinking. Not just compliments (Though I love love them), but actual exchange of ideas, critiques or just to joke around. R&R people. R&R :D

(Oh and special thanks to Davion for pointing out the misuse of the suffixes between Michiru and Haruka. You learn something new everyday ^_^ )