Once again, I do not own Sailor Moon
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"Of all the arrogant, conceited, rude, people in all of Tokyo." Michiru entered her penthouse apartment and slammed the door. She crossed the room to answer the beeping coming from her answering machine.
"Kaioh-san, this is Suzuki. I am not going to begin to tell you what I think about your little tantrum today but Kou-san came all the way down to the studio just to see you. The least you could do was have a civilized conversation with him," The message began.
"I had a civilized conversation." Michiru grumbled to the answering machine. "I didn't kick him in the pants."
The message continued. "Well, anyway. I know you are doing your best at playing the hermit right now but that is not doing anything for your career. Don't forget that the Yoshiba Records party is tonight. You have to be there. This is not a request. I'll send a car for you at seven."
The message ended and Michiru cursed out loud. She had completely forgotten about the Record Company's party and she knew she had to attend. The head of Yoshiba Records had been courting her and he was throwing some very appealing offers her way in the hopes that she would sign with them. They were the top recording company in Japan. Suzuki was right. She had to go.
Michiru took a quick look at the time. It was already 5:30 so she didn't have time for a swim. She did however have time for a bath and nothing sounded more appealing before she had to smile before industry heads than being able to soak in the warm water for a half an hour.
Michiru stepped out of the tub and realized that she was running late. She always lost track of time when she was in the water. She wrapped herself in a towel and quickly began drying her hair. Forty-five minutes later she was hobbling to the intercom to tell the limo driver that she would be down in fifteen minutes. She stumbled around her apartment trying to find the shoes she had lost on the journey to the door and was downstairs with one minute to spare. Of course that meant she was still fourteen minutes late but hopefully there wouldn't be too much traffic.
"Kaioh-sama, you look lovely." The driver said coming to open the door.
"Arrigato." Michiru answered and she was handed into the sleek black automobile. She sat down and found herself face to face with Seiya Kou. "What are you doing here?" She growled.
"I missed you too." He said smiling. He quickly reached under the seat and pulled out a bouquet of red roses. "You look beautiful."
"And you look like a pathological liar." She answered dryly as she handed the roses back to him.
Michiru sat in silence as she contemplated how she could commit murder and get away with it. When she saw Suzuki he was going to be roasted on a spit.
"Come on Michi-chan." Seiya groaned leaning his head back on the leather seat. "What more do I have to do make you forgive me? Are you going to punish me forever?"
Michiru remained silent.
"Look, I made a mistake okay." Seiya said taking her hands in his. "But, I truly am sorry. I'll never do it again."
"That's what you said the last time."
"Can't we just talk?"
"I have nothing to say to you Seiya Kou. And this is by no means the right time to have this conversation. Any conversation we have now will end in an argument and I am already in a bad enough mood as it is."
"Well, maybe later. Perhaps we can talk on the way home. And maybe I can come in for a few minutes."
Michiru was about to respond to his bold offer when the door of the limo opened. She hadn't even realized they had stopped. The Limo driver helped her out of the car and Michiru Kaioh stepped on the red carpet with her ex Seiya Kou. The press outside of the Tokyo Rose hotel went wild to think that the couple was reunited. Michiru fumed inside though she smiled and took pictures, while Seiya took advantage of the situation by placing his arm around her waist. She quickly walked off, stopping to pose for pictures and sign a few autographs on her way. Seiya seemed hardly bothered and Michiru seethed as he glowed in the light of the reporters and fans. He quickly caught up to her before she stepped into the ballroom. Michiru knew this was staged as well. And the reaction they received when they entered the party was exactly what she knew Seiya and Suzuki had hoped for.
Mr. Yoshiba moved toward them as they entered the room. His pale hair was pulled back away from his face and fell to his shoulders.
"Kaioh-san, you look lovely."
"Thank you Yoshiba-sama."
"Oh, please there is no need to be so formal. Kaioh-san, Seiya-san please allow me to introduce my fiancé Aino Minako." Mr. Yoshiba said as a woman who was ending animated conversation with the couple before them turned to face her.
"Michiru!!" She exclaimed.
"Oh, Minako-chan." Michiru said stunned as the blond haired woman flung herself into her arms. Minako looked the same, save the bow in her hair that she no longer wore. Her blond hair was still splayed out behind her and she wore an orange tight fitting dress. If anyone could pull it off it would be Minako, Michiru thought smiling.
Mr. Yoshiba looked stunned. "You know her?" He asked his fiancé.
"Yes! Oh Kunzite, why didn't you tell me the artist you were talking about was Michiru Kaioh?"
"I am sorry love but I did not know that you were acquainted with Kaioh-san or her work. You are not exactly the classical music kind."
Minako turned to her fiancé with a raised eyebrow. "Are you implying that I am not cultured?"
"I would never dream to suggest such a thing." Her fiancé said with a smirk.
"Hmm, well. Anyhow, you boys can stay here. I am taking Michiru-chan with me so we can catch up." Minako said taking Michiru's arm and dragging her away.
Michiru had never been terribly close to Minako but she took advantage of the opportunity to escape Seiya's presence. It was the first thing that had gone well today.
"So, Michiru-chan. How have you been? I haven't seen you in years? What have you been doing? I have all your albums so I know some of what you have been doing. And since you are here with Seiya Kou I suppose I know a little bit more." She said grinning.
"Oh, no Minako. It's not like that."
"What? You guys aren't back together?"
"No. Absolutely not!" Michiru answered. Realizing the vehemence of her answer she quickly changed the subject. "So how have you been? You are engaged to Yoshiba-san?"
"Yes. Oh, I wish I could've seen you before. I would've invited you to the party. But, that was three months ago so."
"How did you two meet?" Michiru asked. She wanted to spend as much time with Minako as possible. Perhaps Seiya would leave her alone for a while if he thought she was catching up with an old friend.
"Well," Minako began taking two glasses of champagne for them.
Michiru sipped her champagne and smiled knowing this was going to be a long story. She spent most of the evening with Minako and when they were about to leave the feeling of dread fell upon her. She was going to have to go home with Seiya. The four stood talking but the conversation passed around her as she tried to prepare her mind for the ride home.
"Michiru-chan!" Minako screamed, grabbing her arm.
"Gomen." Michiru said.
"I was saying that I have a brilliant idea."
"Uh oh." Kunzite mumbled smirking.
"None of that." Minako scolded him. "I was just thinking. Since, I know the girls are meeting up tonight that I would go and bring you with me."
Michiru looked at the expectant face of the blond, but all she wanted to do was go home and get this horrible day over with. "Well…"
"Oh, please Michiru-chan. I know Usagi-chan would love to see you and Rei-chan and well everybody. We could take Kunzite's driver and he could ride home with Seiya-san."
"Well, actually." Seiya began not wanting his plans to be thwarted.
"That's a great idea." Michiru interjected. She did want to go home and go to bed. But she wanted to be out of Seiya's presence much more. The pros far outweighed the cons with Minako's idea.
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"Haruka-papa." The little firefly called softly.
Haruka just grumbled in her sleep.
"Haruka-papa." She said again, shaking the sleeping woman this time, but still received a mumbled incoherent response. "Papa!"
"Huh? What? Where?" Haruka said sitting up confused and looking around the dark room.
Hotaru tried to suppress a giggle.
"Huh? Firefly? What's wrong?" Haruka asked looking down at her.
"I had a bad dream." Hotaru answered softly.
"A bad dream? Hmm. Too much ice cream and not enough dinner huh?" She said.
Hotaru just dropped her head guiltily.
"Well, I suppose it's all my fault anyway. You know I was getting really lonely in this huge bed. Do you want to keep me company?" Haruka asked, winking in the dark.
"Hai!" Hotaru answered eagerly as she tried to climb.
Haruka picked her up and placed her under the covers beside her. "So no more bad dreams huh."
"No." Hotaru answered, confident that her papa would scare away anything that tried to harm her. She snuggled up against Haruka's chest and went back to sleep before Haruka could even kiss her forehead.
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"Hey, guys!" Minako called as she walked toward her friends in the dimly lit lounge.
It was a work night so they were all about to head home, until Minako texted them to stay put.
"Okay, so what's the big surprise?" Rei began. "Not everyone keeps your ridiculous show business hours you know. Some of us have real jobs."
"Yeah, cakes don't bake themselves at five o' clock in the morning." Makato said.
"I do have a real job." Minako contended. "Besides, when you see what I brought or who I brought I am sure I'll be forgiven for keeping you old ladies out past your bedtime."
"Who did you bring?" Ami asked.
"Is it Seiya-san?" Usagi asked.
"Better." Minako answered grinning.
"Guro Inagaki?"
"You'll never guess so I'll show you." She turned around and waved her hand while the other four girls watched on with curiosity and apprehension.
"Michiru-chan!" Usagi screamed, causing everyone in their area of the bar to turn around. Usagi didn't care and jumped up and practically tackled the older girl.
"Usagi-chan." Michiru tried to say with delight, but found she had limited oxygen due to Usagi's anaconda like hug.
"Oh, Michiru-chan! I'm so happy to see you."
"You too Usagi." Michiru replied. She turned to the other girls who had all risen to greet her as well and greeted them all in turn.
The six girls took their seats, and Minako ordered a bottle of Crystal to celebrate their meeting.
"So Michiru, how have been?" Ami asked quietly.
"What have you been doing?" Makato asked in succession.
"Yeah," Usagi chimed in. "The last time we heard about you, you were doing that tour in Europe with the Three Lights."
"Usagiiii!" Rei groaned as the entire table went silent.
"What?" Usagi asked innocently, before realization clicked in her head. "Oh, Michiru-chan. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean-"
"It's okay Usagi-chan." Michiru said waving it off. She knew Usagi was not ill meaning even if she was a little dense.
"Well, after the tour and what happened with Seiya I just took some time off. I spent a lot of time in France just working on my painting before going to America."
"Did you play in America too?" Minako asked in awe.
"My agent wouldn't have it any other way."
"What are American celebrities like?" Usagi asked.
"The same as Japanese celebrities I guess." Miciru answered, then smirked. "Only with a lot more money."
"How long have you been back?" Ami asked.
"Oh, a few months." Michiru looked down in shame after seeing the expression on Ami and Rei's face. Ami looked saddened and Rei just bristled. Everyone at the table became silent as well, seeing what had passed between them.
Of all the girls she was probably the closest to Rei and Ami. Usagi and Minako were sweet though very immature and Makato and her weekly crushes was amusing. But Ami and Rei were more mature. They both had the same kind of focused determination as she did. Michiru never had a great deal of friends. She had a lot of people who admired her. She had a lot of people who envied her. But she never really had any close friends. When Michiru thought about it she was probably closer to these five girls than she ever had been with anyone. And she hadn't talked to them in she couldn't even remember how long.
"I'm sorry." Michiru began. "I know I've been sort of well missing in action these past few years. I never meant to lose contact with you guys but with work and touring and everything, I guess I got so wrapped up in following my dream that I forgot about the people who were there before I got it."
"It happens, no one blames you." Usagi said sweetly.
"And we are glad to have you back." Ami added.
"Thanks." Michiru said softly. "So, what were you guys talking about before I interrupted?"
"We were talking about Ami-chan's engagement party." Usagi answered brightly.
"Oh, when was it?"
"It is this Saturday and you are coming." Minako stated.
"Oh, well."
"Uh uh. None of that." Makato added.
"Please come Michiru-chan." Ami said reaching out and touching her hand. "It would mean a lot to me."
"Of course." Michiru said smiling.
