I don't own Sailor moon

.

Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we learned here.

-Marianne Williamson-

.

"So... who are you?" Haruka asked.

After a shower with cold water, full breakfast prepared by Michiru, and 2 sober pills, Haruka settled on a couch with Michiru. The aqua haired woman had insisted to sit on the floor folded legs Japanese style.

"What do you want me to be?" Michiru threw the question back. It had been like this in past 10 minutes. They didn't make any progress in conversation about the assassin's identity.

"... What they usually call you? Your friends?" Haruka slowly began again.

"I don't have friends." Michiru calmly replied. Her facial expression didn't change slightest.

Haruka blinked and needed time to process the information. Up until now the blonde had only known about Michiru's job and her cruel past. Both of them neither happy experience. Haruka gulped, bitter taste left on her tongue.

"Michiru... To me you are Michiru." Haruka repeated slowly. Her bandaged hands were fidgeting. Even when she was so nervous, Haruka noticed that Michiru kept staying calm.

"You are a killer." It was a flat tone statement coming out from Haruka's.

Finally the blonde saw the composed expression shifted. Michiru winced by Haruka's words as if somebody was hurting her.

Haruka wanted to beat herself up for saying mean things like that.

"I am an assassin... yes." The aqua haired woman seemed prefer that term than a killer.

"You asked me earlier..." Haruka bent closer so her eyes now were in same level with Michiru's. The blonde's injured hands were rested on Michiru's shoulder. Somehow Haruka felt the contact was necessary so Michiru wouldn't run away from the words she was about to say.

"You asked me earlier about what I want you to be... right?"

Michiru fixed her gaze on Haruka's eyes. The blue orbs of the blonde's had been her favorite color in past few days. She nodded a little.

Haruka slid down from the couch and kneeled in front of Michiru.

"I want... no, would you be my girlfriend then?"

Haruka witnessed Michiru's eyes went wide. New expression from the composed assassin. Her expression this time was amusing, more comical... it was mixing from shock then disbelief. But a per second later, a smile was formed on Michiru's gorgeous face.

Haruka was worried since Michiru didn't answer her request. She was arranging few explanations to follow her request but Haruka immediately was attacked by a big hug. The ocean scent was now overwhelming in her embrace.

"... Is that a yes?"

Michiru's eyes darted around. It seemed like she was searching for an appropriate answer.

"I didn't even dare to be with you once you have known the truth about me, Haruka. As you said earlier, my job is to murder people."

Haruka shivered.

"I knew that... and I freaked out. I hate your job." Haruka said it. She thought there was no point in telling a lie to Michiru. The blonde felt Michiru's body went stiffen on her.

"However... I couldn't help it... I have gone too far with you. That's why you found me drunk last night. I've been thinking about my crazy feeling toward you. I shouldn't have... but my heart felt the pain. It hurts and I want it to stop." Haruka confessed her feelings. The fact that Michiru had been actually Haruka's childhood crush was only strengthening her feeling.

Michiru released their embrace. Her green eyes were scanning Haruka's body from head to toe. "Are you alright? Does your heart still hurt?" The assassin gently put her palm against Haruka's chest.

Haruka smiled, the aqua haired woman was always taking everything literally. "I'm okay... and the pain isn't something physical... the point is... I have this feeling for you. It's unstoppable that it really hurts."

"I- I never intended to hurt you." Michiru said weakly. The first time she avoided Haruka's eyes.

"I believe you are hurt more... aren't you?" Haruka asked. Her tone was soft and understanding. She couldn't even imagine what Michiru had suffered with until this point of life to survive the harsh life. As much Haruka hated Michiru's profession, Haruka didn't have choice but to comprehend it a little.

Michiru went quiet after that. She wished Haruka didn't notice her slight nod she reflexively did.

"Start from now, when it starts to hurt too much you can go to me... or you can scream my name... I'll come running." Haruka pulled Michiru's head back for hug. "I'll be there wherever you need me. This time... I'll keep my promise to you. Definitely." Haruka gave a brush kiss on Michiru's forehead. Part of the blonde's heart there was still guilt lying inside. Years she had disappointed and broken the girl in her arms over one promise.

"I'm used to be alone... It's okay, Haruka." Michiru replied. The assassin's hand went to touch Haruka's face. The coarse fingertips which she usually used to pull a trigger or wield a dagger now tracing Haruka's cheek bone in slow motion. As if she wanted to feel Haruka's warm skin against hers in a moment. "I won't be mad even if you leave me, considering of what I am now..." Michiru smiled.

Haruka's tears gave away. How could she...

"Haruka." Michiru gasped, surprise to see Haruka's tears. "Haruka... what-? Are you okay? Why..." Michiru went panic. It was her first time witnessing Haruka cried.

"From now on you aren't alone… and whatever may happen, I will not let you go. At least the promise this time I must keep it whatever it cost me." Determination was shown in Haruka's eyes.

"Perhaps you'll be okay... but I won't. I need you..." Haruka swallowed her upcoming tears.

"Stay." It sounded like an order but there were thousands of emotion in that one simple word.

Michiru answered it with chasting a kiss. It was brief and leaving Haruka to yearn for more. However, the blonde had never felt a taste as sweet as Michiru's lips.

.

At night, Michiru picked up her cell phone from her pocket. Once Haruka had fallen asleep she opened few of voice mails she had missed. She wasn't supposed to turn off her phone. Michiru knew about the consequences she would face after her deliberate action.

Another mission for tonight.

Michiru got up from bed. Haruka had persuaded her to sleep on her bed. The assassin had refused it but Haruka was throwing her a puppy look that no way Michiru could deny it. Haruka had said that she would fall asleep easier when Michiru staying with her. She didn't believe it but Haruka had proven her statement after few minutes later they settled on the bed.

Michiru smirked, enjoying Haruka's cute sleeping feature for a while. The assassin was amused looking at how Haruka had drooled over the pillow, indicating she had a good dream.

Michiru pulled up her black clothes. It was designed to be the darkest black to blend in with the night view. She reminded herself to pick the rest of her weapon in her car. She didn't want to bring any type of weapon with her when she was together with Haruka.

Haruka hated her job. The blonde had stated it more than once in occasion. Yet Haruka loved her. Michiru couldn't be more grateful than that. Like the mermaid pendant that circling her neck, Haruka was her most precious treasure right now. She would do anything for her.

Her green eyes illuminated in the dark. She placed a kiss on Haruka's forehead carefully not to wake the sleeping blonde.

She would kill tonight. She would take someone's life with her hands. The same hands that Haruka had been holding and kissing few hours ago.

Michiru closed her eyes, took a single deep breath. Haruka's scent had calmed her mind a little. She had determined herself with this job.

Just when she was about to leave, Haruka's hand was gripping her wrist.

"Stay." Haruka murmured. Michiru saw that Haruka's eyes were still closed. It seemed like the blonde was talking in her sleep.

Michiru touched Haruka's bandaged hand, easing Haruka's grip on her wrist. But Haruka wouldn't let go.

Michiru felt she would never be used to with the warmth of Haruka's hand. No one ever held her this tight for keeping her to stay. The assassin recalled back how the same hand had been holding her several years ago. The hand which had reached out for her and loved her unconditionally was now asking her to stay.

Did she have a choice? It wasn't only Haruka who hated her job. Michiru herself despised it.

Michiru waited patiently until Haruka's hand eased away by itself. It took her time but she would never pushing Haruka away. Never in any life time.

"I'll be back soon." Michiru whispered near Haruka's ear. The aqua haired assassin took a last glance at Haruka's sleeping form before she stepped out of Haruka's apartment.

When Michiru arrived on the scene, the Aphrodite had been sent in too. Both women did the staring contest for few seconds before Michiru broke it.

"What ship you are sailing on, anyway?"

"The best." Aphrodite replied. The blonde assassin took out her gun and shot it to the glass window before them. Shortly after that, the building alarm went off wildly.

"Let's race. You and me."

Michiru looked at her rival, raising her eyebrow.

"Wait, of course we should have a bet in the stake. Let me think… if you killed this one first before me, I'll walk away from your peace life with that blond rich Tenoh heir." Minako chuckled, amused by the long nickname she just invented.

Michiru winced when Haruka was mentioned.

"But if I got to kill this first… let me have fun with her, will you? That Tenoh Haruka seems very interesting."

"Don't you dare." Michiru hissed with a very dangerous tone. Her hand pulled her string weapon from the black pouch.

"Bet's on. Let's go before the authorities join the fun." With that, Minako hopped inside and raced through first.

"You should know better than waking me up at 1 a.m, Haruka. Even if I was worried about your well-being you can't just drag me to wherever we are going right now!" Mamoru said. He was gripping his seat belt and glancing at the speedometer in the car. Haruka drove the car with unbelievable speed. Actually it wasn't her first time that Mamoru knew about Haruka's obsession with racing and formula one. But tonight was different. There were so many questions he wanted to ask to his friend. For example about what the urgent matter currently is happening right now.

"Yamano corporation. Here, use my phone. Call the police." Haruka didn't take her eyes off from the street.

"What?!" Mamoru shrieked. Not that he disliked the law enforcement but he preferred not to involve in anything with the police word attached in them. "Why police?!" Mamoru gulped a scream when Haruka made sharp turn dangerously close to crash the street rails.

"Someone may die tonight."

"You are joking…" Mamoru grinned but then after few seconds looking on Haruka's expression, he concluded that the matter was a deep shit. He dialed the number.

As for Haruka, she didn't care if someone would end up dead tonight. Yamano corporation was one from many corporations in Japan that had been helpless for plunging themselves into the dark side. She dug some information about the guy who would likely be Michiru's target. The blonde had decided she wasn't even sorry if that kind of person disappeared from the earth.

However, she would not let Michiru pulled the trigger this time. Haruka should prevent the aqua haired assassin kill anybody tonight. Whatever it may cost.

And she had a plan.

Detective Hino Rei was in the middle finishing her late shift. She had skipped invitation to drink with her friends tonight because she should complete her paperwork about some cold cases. After the murder that happened yesterday, everyone was busy doing their part. She guessed most of them had reached a breaking point after working 36 hours with very little break.

Rei grabbed her bag and ready to head out when the precinct door burst opened. From th remarkable redhair, Rei acknowledge the woman as the rookie officer who was working at the front door.

"Where is everyone?" The red haired officer asked in rush.

"They already went home. We would continue the investigation starts at 7 tomorrow. What is it?"

"We've got an anonymous tip about possible assassination attempt tonight." The officer reported briefly. They had been trained to give a brief and clear explanation in reporting situation. Although Rei also noticed that the rookie hadn't managed to hide panic in her eyes very well.

"Where is it?"

Aphrodite put the access card in elevator door after she had successfully killed several guards at the front. She wasn't a loser like the aqua haired assassin. Little mermaid was known to only kill her target and not killing others unless necessary. Minako had taken a note how those traits became more obvious since the Tenoh Haruka involved. Just now they had been fighting their way in together. The little mermaid was only using her fist and several famous karate chops to knock out the guards temporarily. The assassin had really gone soft this time. It was actually could be used as her advantage in this assassination game tonight.

Game because they had stakes in bet. Tonight would be incredibly fun.

Very certain that she was a step ahead than the aqua haired assassin, Aphrodite stealthily made her way toward the CEO room in the building.

That until she caught another person entered the CEO room first. A tall person with short sandy blond hair. Tenoh Haruka.

"I didn't expect this…" Minako smirked.

"What a surprise… Tenoh Haruka." The man smiled. His face reminded Haruka to an evil fox in some Japanese legends.

"I never take business lightly. Pardon for my intrusion in the middle of the night."

"It is alright. You see that I have some big projects going on that requires me to stay late. Neither have I taken the business lightly, Miss Tenoh." He gestured for Haruka to sit on his chair. It was a culture between those who less powerful to give their seat to the more powerful one.

"Nah, I don't like to bush around. I will get straight to the heart." Haruka preferred to stand as it was easier for herself to run anytime if hell broke loose.

"I want to make a deal with you, Yamano-san."

"I could guess that much if you visit me in the middle of the night by yourself. The question is… what kind of service I can be help?"

"You know… I need something to give my father handful situations. You have heard the rumor, I believe?"

"All corporations in Japan have… you and your father are competing business with each other. I dare not to make comment about that kind of situation."

"Great, keep your mouth shut and let's make a deal."

Haruka's plan went smoothly as she managed to make Yamano spilled up everything about his shady business plus his several channels with some yakuzas in Japan. In 10 minutes Haruka was very certain that Yamano had told everything that could hold him up in jail for good 20 years or longer.

"Now, it's my turn to make a proposition. I can offer something you most value…"

Hearing Haruka's words, Yamano had big grin plastered across his face.

"How about your life?" Haruka raised an eyebrow. From this point on, things would get interesting.

"What?"

"There are people behind that door who want you die tonight. I am here to offer you something other than death, Yamano-san and help you." That last word Haruka didn't really mean it.

The man staggered back to his seat albeit he flashed a grin to Haruka.

"Well, Miss Tenoh… how can I believe your words?"

"You must… because not many would be sympathy to the devil, right?" Haruka winked.

Then someone kicked the door open. Both Haruka and the CEO jumped in surprise. Haruka's shock was only a moment after she recognized the intruder.

Michiru was holding a hand gun and Minako with her assault rifle. The later was waving excitedly to Haruka's direction. The blonde guessed that the door kicker was her Michiru since Minako seemed not quite fond to the physical job.

Haruka couldn't help but smirk like a fool. Her girlfriend perhaps a terrifying assassin but she was very beautiful like hell. And now, she was staring.

"Excuse us, but I have argued with this mermaid here to enter gracefully. Turned out she is an impatient person." Aphrodite loaded up her rifle still with her happy face.

In the other hand, Michiru appeared gloomy as her eyes turned darken and never let her sight off from Haruka.

"Wait!" Haruka stepped forward, putting herself in between both assassins and their target.

"Look, Aphrodite… I'm sorry but no one kill anybody tonight, ok? Let's just finish this matter peacefully. I knew it's your job but I'm afraid since I don't want Michi… I mean, little mermaid to kill anybody from now on… so, let's we go home already! This man has agreed to go to jail with me!" Haruka was rambling. The blonde glanced nervously at both weapons the 2 women were holding. She was a pacifist, even though she had tons of money, she never touched any kind of gun except butter knife. If that was count.

"Yamano-san. I have everything you told me in record. About the crimes your company has been doing in years. I have sent the data to my friend who miles away from here. He would take care the rest… so, how about you turn yourself to the police. That way, there would be no bloodshed." Haruka talked to Yamano. The man was still sitting on his desk looking pale. It seemed he was considering the current options he had.

However, Michiru quickly step forward while yelling, "Put your hands up NOW!" The aqua haired assassin ordered. It was her habit to check that her target didn't have anything up in their sleeves. "Show your hands." The second order came from Minako who was still trained her rifle to Haruka guessed was Yamano's head. Assassin always did the kill shot.

"You aren't police." Yamano irritatingly answered.

"Guess what? I think I will go to the police…" Yamano finally said. Haruka release a sigh and then nodded slightly to Michiru.

"It's okay, Michi…" Haruka mouthed the word.

Michiru got distracted when she glanced toward Haruka. She had let her guard down from the CEO.

Yamano in a flash had pulled a gun from his desk drawer. "Like hell I will do, that TENOH!"

Two shots rang out.

"White rabbit here, mission complete. I repeat, mission complete." The pigtailed blond woman arranged back her sniper gun into a metal case resembled guitar box. She was humming a random song while stepping down the old worn building across Yamano corporation.

She opened her cell phone and checked her inbox message.

"I have a date tomorrow with Mamo-chan!" She squeaked and then typing a reply message excitedly.

Haruka was paralyzed. In a second she had had a gun was aimed at her and the next second, she only saw brain matter splattered on the floor.

Yamano was dead after what Haruka assumed more than one bullet penetrated his brain.

Haruka turned and found Minako's rifle still smoked. Then Haruka's eyes darted to Michiru who was holding down her gun. It wasn't Michiru who carried out the shot.

But, I'm sure I heard two shots. Haruka shook her head. She had mixed feelings right now. She felt sick and terrible upon the gruesome sight but she was a bit relieved that it hadn't been Michiru who took the shot.

"Michi-" Haruka rushed to her girlfriend's side but Michiru immediately stepped back, creating distance between the two of them. Haruka could see that Michiru didn't want to look at her as she desperately was trying to avoid Haruka's eyes.

"The bet's still on. I win. Ah, anyway don't worry about the second bullet. It's sniper bullet from the building across the street." Minako pointed out. She didn't know why she felt obligated to explain to Haruka in Michiru's behalf but she said it anyway. "She didn't kill anyone tonight. As loser as it sounds…"

Haruka noticed Minako's effort to tell her and nodded in acknowledgement. But then she was wondering… "What bet you are talking about?"

Aphrodite huffed, she was unusually being too kind to her rival tonight. She should put stop on it.

"Ask her." Minako shrugged and exited the room.

Now that they both were alone with Yamano's body, Haruka tried again to reach Michiru.

"No, Haruka… don't. I just need a moment… please?" Michiru's tone made Haruka restrained all her willing to hug the assassin. The blonde obeyed as she just stood there waiting for Michiru to come around.

"I apologize…" Haruka said. She figured out she had to apologize for her unexpected behavior tonight. She was meddling Michiru's job not just that… she was certainly interfering in Michiru's professional life.

"I can't let you kill anymore."

Michiru moved her arms. For a second Haruka had a thought that Michiru was reaching out to her but then the assassin moved her arms and brought around to her own body. Hugging her shaking body like a ball.

"I don't like your job, I said it…." Haruka let her words sink in. "However I dislike it more if you are sad."

Michiru still refused to look at Haruka.

"And I know you are screaming inside… you are hurt… about this job. About killing people."

Haruka held her breath as if she was ready for whatever impact might happen after this.

"That's why I come running. I should rescue you even if you haven't called my name."

Now, speaking about the matter made Haruka more and more became a fool. She was jumping into conclusion. She made careless assumption about Michiru's need to be rescued by her. She was delusional and now Haruka wanted to jump into a hole or something.

"Michi-"

"Haruka…" Michiru cut in. It was a very soft whisper but Haruka had heard it clearly.

"Haruka…" Michiru called again, this time with louder voice. "HARUKA! HARUKA! HARUKA!" Like a mantra, the aqua haired assassin called Haruka's name again and again.

"Ye-yes… Michiru? I heard you, what is it?"

Michiru closed the remaining distance between them. She let her body fall into Haruka's. The blond automatically wrapped her arms around Michiru's body. Suddenly the assassin felt smaller and fragile to touch.

"Help me…" Michiru said with only voice Haruka could hear.

Haruka gently brushed a strand hair from Michiru's face. Their eyes met neither of them looking away this time.

"Whatever it may cost, Michi…"

A/N: I'm not dead. Not yet. Yes, I miss you (TT_TT)