HU 14

Here you have it, the next part of the saga and its more of a transitional chapter to what may happen next. Of course I'm not sure yet what exactly that may be. I'm more than open to suggestions. Thanks for the wonderful reviews, keep them coming and enjoy the story!

Haruka followed Michiru to Mamoru's building and parked behind her. Usagi got out and Michiru waved as Haruka pulled away and headed to the track to practice. Usagi would call if they needed her for anything.

Michiru took a deep breath and glanced at Usagi who just stood calmly looking up at the building.

"Shall we get this over with?" Michiru asked quietly. Usagi nodded and waved at the doorman as they went through. The poor man just looked confused at seeing both of them together but he just shrugged it off and went back to his duties. It was a quick and silent ride in the elevator. Michiru unlocked the door with her key and they found it thankfully empty.

"I don't have much, my clothes should fit in my suitcases and the paints have their own case as well as my violin. It's already packed away." Michiru stated looking around the living room.

"I'll pack up the clothes if you'd like to do the paints. I wouldn't want to mess them up." Usagi shrugged.

"That sounds fine. My suitcases are brown and their under the bed." Usagi nodded and went to pack the clothes. She didn't let it bother her, Michiru had expressed her sorrow and in a way, perhaps it was a good thing that this had happened. Clearly Mamoru had his own problems that he wasn't inclined to let anyone help him with. From the sounds of things, he was likely to have left her anyway, if not with Michiru, then someone else.

Michiru came to help after she'd set her paints and Violin by the door. The two worked together silently and quickly and Usagi called Haruka after they'd finished. It had gone to voicemail which meant she'd be in the middle of her laps. Usagi left a message for her and looked at Michiru.

"She's not answering, and her phone's turned off. She's probably in the middle of her laps. Do you want to wait or would you like me to call a taxi?"

"I'd rather not stay longer than necessary. I've written a clear and concise note for Mamoru. Why don't you call a taxi so we can get out of here?" Michiru whispered. Usagi nodded and dialed. They then grabbed two bags each so as to make one trip do. Usagi locked the door on their way out and Michiru left the key in the mailbox with her note.

The doorman held open the door for them and looked even more confused than when they'd gone it but he silently loaded the bags into their taxi and wisely didn't ask questions. Michiru tipped him as her and Usagi got into the car.

"Where too Miss?" The driver asked.

"Uhm…" Michiru wasn't really sure. She hadn't thought that far ahead. She wasn't sure if she'd be allowed back at the flat but she hadn't any other place to go as of yet. Usagi however apparently had her own ideas. She gave the driver Haruka's address and just smiled at her friend.

"Are you sure about this Usagi?" The blue haired woman asked as they drove away.

"Yes, I'll leave it to you and Haruka to work out where exactly you're staying but I think it only makes perfect sense that you be there. It's as much your home as it is hers, as it is a second home for me." The young blonde smiled and patted the other woman's hand. The driver parked and carried the two large suitcases up to the door, while Usagi took the violin very carefully and Michiru took the paints and portfolio. She tipped the driver while her young friend opened the door.

They sat the suitcases inside the hallway and called Haruka to let her know where they were.

"Thank you again Usagi. I really can't tell you how much this means to me. I truly will try and make this work this time and I do truly love Ruka and value your friendship." The girls eyes shown as she smiled and grasped Michiru's hand warmly in a show of affection.

"I value your friendship to Michiru. I remember how you tried to help me with my lessons when I wanted to learn how to be the perfect wife. You had such patience with me, no one does."

"You'll grow into yourself Usagi. Grace comes with time, I do believe you'll be fine in the end. The future is a long way off yet." The intelligent blond complimented her young friend.

"What would you like to do? Haruka taught me how to make pasta and I think I actually can fix this without burning anything. Or we could go down to the pool or perhaps the gym if you'd rather do that… Haruka's been showing me some easy scales on the piano but that probably wouldn't be fun for you."

The sea maiden was silent for a long moment contemplating the options.

"I think I'd like to take a swim, it's been too long since I've really been able to do that and it always makes me feel much better. We could fix dinner after that though. It might be nice if we surprise Ruka. You can fix the pasta and I'll make a pie for dessert."

Usagi smiled and nodded and the girls headed off to the pool. Michiru glanced over Usagi's body as she changed and again she was struck by the young woman's beauty. Usagi smiled as she felt the sea senshi's gaze on her body. She was glad there was at least some mutual interest between them but she felt that it would take time to build the proper relationship to make this really work.

Michiru dove in gracefully and started doing laps while Usagi decided to sun bathe on one of the lounge chairs. After awhile Michiru emerged from the pool dripping and Usagi handed her a towel.

"Haruka always liked laying here while I did laps too." She smiled as Usagi nodded.

"The sun is nice, even though it's a little cool outside." Michiru nodded as she toweled off and the two headed for the kitchen. They chatted together happily as they fixed dinner for the woman they both loved. Usagi wasn't afraid to ask her friend for help when she wasn't sure of something and Michi was more than willing to show the young woman some new tricks to help her out. She remained patient as she explained the spices and flavors she was adding. Usagi took it in gladly and set the table while Michiru finished up her pie. Everything was just finishing up as Haruka walked through the door covered in mud. Usagi laughed and Michiru looked worried.

"You didn't crash did you? Are you hurt?" She asked coming over to where Haruka stood near the door.

"Haruka, you look a fright, it didn't rain on you did it?" Usa asked. Haruka chuckled at her women fawning over her so. She could smell her favorite meal from here and it was mouth watering.

"No I didn't crash and it didn't rain. My coach sprayed the track down with a hose so I could get use to the feel of racing on a muddy field because it's different than a dry one. I did well and we sort of had a mud fight to celebrate. My chances are looking real good for the championships."

"Oh is that all!" Michiru laughed a tinkling laugh and took Haruka's helmet to put away as the woman slipped off her racing suite and Usagi took it to put it in the wash. Haruka met them in the kitchen after she'd washed up.

"This is a wonderful surprise! What am I ever going to do with the two of you if you keep spoiling me like this?" She asked as she gave each of them a kiss.

Michiru watched as Haruka kissed another woman and didn't feel the jealously she'd half expected. She simply felt pleased that her love was so happy. Usagi watched the exchange of love between Michiru and her strong, wind lover and felt much the same. In fact she felt blessed to be able to be a part of so much love.

They sat down to eat and Haruka exclaimed over everything, making sure that they both got complimented equally. Haruka kicked the two out of the kitchen as the meal was finished, forbidding them both from the dishes. They went into the living room and Haruka heard Usagi practicing her scales as Michiru tuned her violin. The older blonde did the dishes as fast as she could while still cleaning the kitchen efficiently. She strode into the living room with a smile as she sat beside her younger counter-part.

Michiru had tuned her violin and was going through scales with Usagi and she smiled at her old lover as she sat at the piano with Usagi. She'd warmed up enough and was ready for some serious practice and she nodded at Haruka. The other woman nodded back and whispered something to Usagi.

Haruka slid to the middle of the bench and Usagi sat on her lap. The experienced pianist placed her hands on the keys and Usagi placed hers on top of Ruka's. The young woman payed close attention to the keys Haruka hit and how she moved her hands and worked the pedals with her feet. She was thrilled at the music she was listening and learning at the same time. Michiru finished off the piece with a flourish as Haruka kissed Usagi's neck lightly.

"Oh Ruka, I have to go home, but I do wish I could stay."

"Well why don't you stay just a little bit longer?" Haruka whispered huskily. The young woman glanced up at Michiru for approval. The other woman nodded with a small smile. Usagi relaxed into Haruka's embrace as they stood and Haruka took each of them by the hand and lead them upstairs. She led them into the master bedroom and sat them on the bed beside each other. The two women looked at each other nervously as neither was sure about where this was headed or just what Haruka had in mind.

Haruka knelt on the floor in front of them. She looked at them with love and adoration in her expression. She couldn't believe how blessed she was.

"I want to love the both of you as you should be loved, but I want you both to be comfortable." Neither woman was real willing to speak up.

"I'm sorry Haruka, I'm just not ready for this." Michiru stated finally. The young blonde nodded.

"I think a lot has happened today, maybe we should all just take some time to process." Haruka nodded and stood.

"Take as much time as you both need. I'll be here." They all stood and headed downstairs. Haruka stopped in the hallway and turned to face them. "I was thinking, you should both have rooms here, to keep things you need. This way you each have a place of your own. I understand that things are different now." The women both nodded with warm smiles. Hotaru came out of her room then.

"Michi-mama? What are you doing here?" She asked quizzically.

"I'm going to stay here; Haruka and I are trying to work things out. Would you like that?" She asked giving the child a hug and kneeling down to look her in the face.

Hotaru looked more confused as she looked from Michiru to Haruka to Usagi and back.

"What about Usagi? I like her too, she's really nice and she loves Haruka-papa a lot." The child said softly. Michiru nodded and looked back at Usagi who was holding the older blondes hand. Michi smiled at them.

"I like her too. She's going to stay here too, when she can. How about that? I know it may be confusing; this is hardly a common relationship. I know you're a smart girl Hotaru. Love doesn't work out how people think it should. It's the greatest emotion we have, and we should all try to listen to the power of love more so than the pressures of society." Michiru explained evenly.

Hotaru nodded with a smile.

"Good. I think everyone will be happy this way. I just hope we can figure out what to do about Chibi-usa. She's thinking of trying to use her time key to go home, except she's not sure anymore if there's a home for her to go too."

The three women nodded and smiled ruefully.

"I know Hotaru-chan; I've had many conversations with her and Luna recently about the subject and the best course of action. I think we're coming close to a decision but we'll see what happens at the next meeting." Usagi stated with a smile at the young child. The sovereign of silence only nodded and went back to her room with a yawn. She'd eaten at the Tsukino's house with Chibi. The women trooped down stairs and gathered at the door. Usagi kissed Haruka a tender goodbye and she turned to Michiru with a warm smile and an affectionate hug. Haruka lifted Michiru's suitcases easily and ran them up to the spare room on the left and sat them inside for her old flame. She then grabbed her keys and gave her aqua-haired counterpart a chaste kiss as she slipped on her shoes as she gave Usagi a ride home.