Chapter 7: What have you Left Undone?

*Haruka*

It has been about two weeks since that day Michiru had accused Haruka of being unfaithful because she had been kind to that girl, Phoenix, at orientation. Classes were beginning and Haruka felt like something was off, even more so than before. She had watched Michiru change before her eyes and it unnerved her despite feeling as though she deserved this new version of her beloved.

Michiru had moved some of her things to the guest room, not that it made much difference at this point. Michiru was so cold as if an iceberg had encased her heart that Haruka had taken to staying in a hotel at night. She spent her evenings at the Outer home to be with Hotaru, who had started school. Setsuna had taken a position as the school nurse at the school that both Hotaru and ChibiUsa were now attending. This made sense, it was much easier for her to watch over them that way. So Setsuna watched over the girls while the others watched over the princess. Ami had returned so there were adequate guardians around at this point. It was odd though, Rei had taken to hanging around the edge of the high school grounds as much as possible even though she still attending the T.A. Girls Academy. She seemed to be doing the same thing that Haruka was, watching her… Watching Phoenix. But it didn't seem as though either had made a move to talk to the unusual girl again. Minako, on the other hand, appeared to have made it her mission to become friends with the girls and the blonde was even studying with her after school. Haruka hadn't heard of Minako getting a single detention this year.

All of this ran through Haruka's mind as the sped down the streets of the Juaben District. Coming to a light, Haruka stopped and sighed. As fate would have it, she saw Phoenix and her sister leaving a small cafe. In an instant Haruka had memorized the lines of Phoenix's form-fitting jeans and pumpkin colored blouse. Perhaps Michiru was right, perhaps this girl drew her in a way that only Michiru and Usagi had previously. Haruka loved to flirt and appreciated the beauty of a woman in its many forms. But there was not this magnet that pulled her in others. It was just fun.

Without thinking Haruka found herself pulling up to the side of the street. She couldn't fathom what she was thinking, neither could she stop herself from doing it. Haruka removed her helmet and called out, "Phoenix! Phoenix's sister!" She winced, never had she sounded so awkward in her life.

The two girls turned and Haruka could see the blush in Phoenix's had tried to keep her distance, but she could not fight the draw anymore. Haruka got off the bike and went to meet the two girls. She smiled at them, mostly Phoenix, "What brings you two out today?" Again with the inability to be her smooth self, Haruka wanted to groan but resisted the urge.

It didn't help when Phoenix's sister giggled. She stopped immediately when shot a look by her clearly more dominant sister. Haruka liked the strength that Phoenix seemed to exude most of the time. She embraced life in a way that Haruka considered a luxury, one she had long since lost. Phoenix broke into Haruka's thoughts, "We just finished lunch, what about you?" The way that her hands trembled before she stuffed them into her pockets caught Haruka's eye and she smiled.

She tilted her head towards her motorcycle, "Just out for a ride. It helps clear my head." And there it was again, something spilling from her lips that she hadn't intended. Why did this keep happening?

The two stared at one another until the blonde cleared her throat, "It was nice to see you again Tenoh...san, right? I have to go, study session." She gave Phoenix a one-armed hug and was off in a flash.

Phoenix finally blinked and chuckled awkwardly, "You'd think that she was trying to give us time alone… Which is ridiculous since you have a girlfriend." Another awkward laugh escaped before she croaked, "Minako may have mentioned that girl you were with at orientation."

Of course Minako had, such a gossip. Wait, Haruka thought, I shouldn't care. I have never cared who knew before. What is wrong with me? She watched as Phoenix's face fell and then the redhead started to excuse herself and walk away. The ruler of the wind felt a breeze and found her own hand clasping Phoenix's wrist, "Don't go. We could… take a ride together if you like."

This was such a stupid idea that Haruka could not measure it, but it was out there. Phoenix turned, moving her hand so that it was holding Haruka's and she nodded, "I would love to take a ride with you, Haruka. Should I be using some sort of honorific?"

Something must have possessed her as she responded, or that is what she would think later as she replayed this moment in her mind, "Please, call me Ruka."

*Minako*

She had powered through another math problem and she laid back on her back, her eyes darting to her new friend as she yawned. Makayla smiled at her, still often quite as she allowed Minako to go on and on about whatever popped into her head. It was nice to have someone to talk to that wasn't Senshi and no one's life depended on their conversation. She knew that they were watching the two sisters from America, but there was something very calming about Makayla that Minako didn't experience much lately. Especially with how weird Rei was acting. Since the day after Phoenix had come to Hikawa Shrine Rei had been quietly stewing over something. Minako also knew it had to do with the two girls as she watched Phoenix as much as she could get away with. Minako saw how her friend sharpened and prickled each time someone would come talk to the redhead. Minako had tried talking to her about it and Rei said that it was not something that Minako should worry about. The only time she seemed happy was when Minako mentioned studying with Makayla. Yet, when she had inquired about it Rei had played it off. Everything seemed so messed up and the rift between the Outers felt like it was growing by the day. Usagi wouldn't talk about it, but it was obvious to everyone now. All of that drama and responsibility was part of why Minako liked hanging out with Makayla. The only other ones to give Minako that kind of peace was Artemis, who was spending all of his time with Luna and Diana lately, and Kunzite. Before she realized it she had nodded off, thinking of her lost love.

Minako dreamt of a life long since lost to her…..

She stood in the garden of the Golden Kingdom's castle as the moon shone high above her. She giggled as she looked at the sleek and flowing canary yellow gown she wore. She missed being princess Venus, that was a secret no one knew. But she missed it most because of the gallant knight who courted her then. Looking off in the distance she could see him, her forbidden love. From behind her, she heard a familiar giggle. When she turned she saw Makayla standing there wearing a pastel yellow gown, more reserved than her own. On her forehead was the symbol of Venus. Before she had the chance to speak Makayla tilted her head in Kunzite's direction, "Who is the cute guy? He is SO tall!"

Minako told herself that it must be because Makayla was there when she fell asleep, that was the only logical explanation. And since this was a dream, it didn't matter was she said so she answered, "His name is Kunzite. He is the leader of Endymion's guard and," she sighed,"The love of my life!"

Makayla's smile grew, "You are so lucky to have found a guy like that. Even from here I can tell her is a noble and devoted man."

Grabbing her hand, Minako pulled Makayla along with her until they got close to Kunzite and Minako let go so that she could bound into her lover's arms, peppering him with kisses. He hugged her and set her down gently, keeping an arm around her as he bowed to Makayla. Minako loved what a gentleman he was. But she also loved the heat he displayed between the sheets. She bit her top lip to keep from giggling like the schoolgirl she was in the waking world. Kunzite looked at her and she was overcome by warmth. Only she saw the warm side of this serious general. His expression turned questioning, "My Venus, when did your parents change their minds?"

She wasn't sure she liked the tone he was taking, more often her dreams of Kunzite led to dark places. It was seldom that she got to relive the happiness of the love that the two had shared a lifetime ago. She swallowed and answered him, "Changed their minds about what Kunzite?"

It was strange to see Makayla just stand there as if she were merely an observer and not part of the dream. Even stranger when Kunzite waved a hand in her direction and said, "Changed their minds about Ena Venus."

She watched Makayla shift uncomfortable and she found herself confused and frustrated causing her to just blurt, "Who in the world is Ena?"

Kunzite's brow furrowed and he looked from Minako to Makayla and back again, "Your sister my dear Venus. Did you hit your head during training with the others this morning?"

Now Minako was angry. This felt cruel. She had longed for a little sister growing up and found herself a bit envious of Usagi for having a little brother. She shouted, "I have no sister Kunzite! I am the lonely princess of Venus who gives everything for her duties! What the hell are you talking about?"

"Venus, you need to remember yourself and not speak in such a coarse manner in front of Princess Ena," he looked apologetically at Makayla.

Minako was about to lose it when Makayla spoke, "Excuse me, but I am not a princess. My name is Makayla and I/m just visiting." She turned to Minako and bowed, "I'm sorry I ruined your happy dream." The pale blonde closed her eyes and disappeared.

Sweat was pouring from her as she bolted up from her bed to find Makayla opening her eyes with a washed out glow fading from her exclaimed, "WHAT THE HELL?!"

Makayla seemed to shrink in her chair, "I never thought it would work on you…. It has only ever worked on… my sister." The two looked eyes, examining one another and both utterly confused by what just happened.

*Phoenix*

The had ridden out to the most gorgeous meadow, Phoenix laughing and whooping as they took the woods at full speed. She stood at the edge of the meadow and went to check the time on her phone. He eyes widened when she saw that they'd been riding for two hours, she had no signal here, and her battery was low. She shrugged and turned the stupid thing off, wanting to save the little battery life she had for when they went back. The flowers in this meadow drew Phoenix's eye. There were so many colors that she found herself running out into them, spinning like she was a princess as she joked with Makayla about.

Eventually, she stopped and giggled as she tried to keep from losing her balance. A wind swirled around her and she found it strangely balancing. Then her eyes fell on Haruka, no Ruka… That is what she'd told Phoenix to call her after all. There was a pure joy that she hadn't seen as she had watched the taller girl watch her for the last two weeks. She had seen it. She knew she was being watched. But she had promised herself that she was going to stop being weird and just be a normal girl in high school, as normal as she could be in an entirely new culture. Being friends with Minako had helped, and it had certainly helped her sister. Phoenix had decided that was enough and she would put the crazy images of castles and dragons out of her head and focus on the life she was living now. Phoenix called to her, "Come here Ruka! You have to smell these flowers!"

The fragrance was almost intoxicating and Phoenix wanted to share that with Haruka. Haruka smiled and did as Phoenix asked. When she reached her, she was beaming and the wind was getting stronger as if it was responding to the joy in Haruka's face. Phoenix picked a pretty blue flower and extended her hand to Haruka and the wind started to carry it away, but Haruka leaped into the air and caught it. The amazing blonde landed flawlessly and smelled the flower before tucking it into Phoenix's hair, just behind her ear. Phoenix felt as if she were under the spell of this stunning creature. Part of her wanted to chastise herself for calling Haruka a creature, but there was a heavenly beauty to her that could belong to no human. That is what she thought anyway.

Phoenix blinked, trying to break the spell of the elegance in front of her and she let herself fall back into the flowered, careful of her head, and laughed more. Haruka sat down next to her and crossed her legs, "Tell me Phoenix, what makes you so happy? So full of life?"

Phoenix rolled onto her side and propped herself up on her elbow, "It's not a pretty story. And it's not one I tell often." She looked down at the flowers, "When Makayla and I were eight, our mother got sick… Cancer… And the last time I went to see her, she made me promise to live every moment as if it was your last because any moment could be." She grits her teeth as tears slid from her cheeks to the flower petals.

A firm hand gripped her chin and pulled it up to look at steel blue orbs as she felt her tears being wiped away, "She is right, you know. We never know what moment will be our last and what things we will leave undone."

Phoenix's voice was raspy as she replied, "What have you left undone Ruka?" The two stayed like that for what felt like hours. Phoenix thinking her mother's words as well as her own over and over in her head until this sick feeling hit her and she sat straight up, "Something is wrong with Makayla! I have to go back, please!"