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

AUTHOR'S NOTES: You all can thank "Martiny the one and only still" for this early release. In celebration of Independence Day in the USA, here is the next chapter. Also, starting from this chapter, the two POVs will begin to diverge.


The Concert

Haruka Tenoh

Michiru and I stood staring helplessly at each other. I could feel my tears begin to well in my eyes, so I turned away from Michiru.

"Haruka? I know we just met and hardly know each other yet, but I was wondering if you would like to escort me home."

I quickly wiped my eyes with the forefinger and thumb of my right hand and spun around.

"Nani?" I exclaimed.

"I was wondering if you would like to escort me home," Michiru repeated.

"Of course I would!" I said a bit too enthusiastically.

Michiru smiled at me and I felt my heart soar. She gathered her belongings and we walked to my car.


"Somehow I just knew you would drive one of these," Michiru teased when she saw my car.

"What else would Japan's number one racer drive?" I teased and opened the trunk for her.

While Michiru put her belongings in the trunk, I removed my tuxedo jacket and placed it in the trunk as well. I closed the trunk and opened the passenger door for Michiru. She gracefully glided into the seat and I shut the door.

As I drove, I stole glances over at Michiru. The warm night air whipped through her long aqua hair, reminding me of a mermaid under the sea. She was absolutely beautiful.

"Ever since I saw your first race in Monte Carlo, I have always wanted to ride with you like this."

Michiru's words stunned me. I stared straight ahead, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. She saw my very first race! I couldn't believe my ears. Michiru placed her hand on my arm and brought me out of my reverie.

The remainder of the drive was spent in comfortable silence, with the exception of Michiru's directions to her place.


I pulled into the parking structure of a large luxury condominium complex. Michiru handed me her card key to open the garage gate. She directed me to the visitor's parking area.

Michiru gathered her belongings from my car trunk and we entered the building. After we entered the glass elevator, Michiru pulled out her card key and accessed the button for the penthouse suite.

"You own the penthouse suite?" I asked.

"Judging by your car, I am sure you own something just as luxurious," Michiru responded matter-of-factly.

"You're right," I said sheepishly.

The elevator opened to the lobby of her penthouse suite and we stepped out. She slipped out of her shoes and unlocked the front door. I untied and removed my shoes. We placed our shoes in the multi-tiered shoe rack just inside the front door.

"Michiru, why don't you leave this outside?" I asked.

"It used to be outside, but someone broke into my penthouse lobby during a party and stole all my guests' shoes."

"Oh."

"Haruka, please make yourself comfortable. I shall be right back," Michiru said before she disappeared down a hallway.

I sat down on the plush couch facing the large picture window. From the couch, I could see the lights of Tokyo. I looked around from where I sat. The place was sparsely decorated, but tasteful. The furnishings, like Michiru herself, were comfortable and stylish.

Michiru returned and sat down next to me on the couch.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"No thank you," I answered.

I was suddenly as nervous as I was before a big race.

"Michiru…"

"Haruka, we have a little less than two days together, I do not wish to waste them," Michiru said and snuggled against my chest.

I wrapped my arm around Michiru's shoulders and held her close. Her scent filled my senses. I looked down at her and found those deep blue pools gazing up at me. I leaned down and captured her full sensuous lips. She sighed and placed her hand on my chest above my left breast. We kissed deeply.

After several minutes, Michiru broke the kiss and rested her head against my chest.

"Michiru, are you okay?"

"Hai," she murmured.

I held her close and we stared out the picture window for a few minutes before Michiru spoke.

"Haruka, would you spend the night?"

My throat suddenly went dry and I momentarily lost my ability to speak.

"Gomenasai, am I being presumptuous again?" Michiru asked quickly as she sat up.

All I could do was shake my head. What the hell is wrong with me? I haven't been this clumsy since junior high school. It's not like I haven't been with beautiful women before, but there's just something about Michiru.

When I looked at Michiru, she was looking at me puzzled. I smiled confidently, took her hand, and kissed the inside of her wrist. I felt the desire I saw in her deep blue eyes all the way down to my soul. A wonderful pink blush graced her cheeks, making me smile.

I pulled her close, cupped her cheek, and placed a firm gentle kiss on her lips. She sighed, melted into me, and I felt the tip of her tongue asking for entrance again. I parted my lips and our tongues shyly touched. I ran the tip of my tongue over her swollen lips, expecting the taste of lipstick, but was pleasantly surprised by the taste of her fruity lip gloss. I smiled in the kiss.

"Haruka?" Michiru pulled away concerned.

"Your lips…they're deliciously sweet," I answered her unasked question and resumed kissing her.

We kissed passionately on her couch until she broke our last kiss.

"Haruka…," Michiru pleaded breathlessly in my ear, "Please…"

I scooped Michiru up in my arms. She wrapped her arms around my neck and buried her face in my shirt collar. I carried her to her bedroom.