Warning: Descriptive abuse and rape in this chapter.

Haruka was fixing breakfast the next morning when Tsuki came downstairs, still dressed in a pair of shorts and a jersey that was just a size too big for her.

"Whoa…Okay. When did you cut your hair?" She asked while sitting a cup of coffee down in front of the girl.

"Last night." Tsuki answered with a yawn, earning a smirk.

"Michiru mentioned you asked a friend for a favor but I didn't assume it was for a haircut." Haruka retorted with a laugh before adding "How do you like your eggs? It's my turn to cook today."

"Doesn't matter." Tsuki replied, sighing as she took a long drink from her mug.

A few minutes passed between them in a comfortable silence, however suddenly the phone rang causing both of them to groan.

"Hey, could you get that? I'm afraid I'll ruin another skillet if I leave this on or with a sleepy teenager." Haruka stated, earning a mumbled reply as Tsuki got up and made her way over to the phone.

"Hello?" she managed to bite out into the receiver, only to earn a giggle from the other side.

"And I thought Haruka was grumpy in the mornings! I was just checking to see if you would want to come with us to the shopping center? It'll only be Makoto, Ami and me."

Usagi's voice stated form the other end, causing Tsuki to groan.

"I'll have to check with my sister. Hold on." She answered, putting the phone down before looking toward Haruka.

"Usagi wants me to go shopping with them." Tsuki whispered bitterly, earning a small smile.

"I think that's a good idea." Haruka stated, before rummaging around on the counter to find her wallet before producing a gold and silver credit card.

"And I will be mad at you if you don't get yourself something!" Haruka whispered, handing the card to her.

"Yeah…I can go. Meet you at the school in about three hours?" Tsuki told Usagi.

After getting off the phone Tsuki glanced over to Haruka who smiled slightly.

"Thanks…but you don't have to…" Tsuki began, only to be cut off by a dish towel hitting her in the face.

"Zip it….And unless you want me to get pissed you better get yourself something today." Haruka stated.

Haruka watched as Tsuki's gaze turned back to the floor and her heart felt like it was breaking.

When was the last time the girl had gotten new clothes?

When had she ever been gave anything without strings attached?

Haruka both wanted to know and didn't at the same time but didn't dare to ask.

"Thanks Haruka." Tsuki mumbled, her voice shaking slightly at the older girl's name, though the fact that she said her name caused Haruka to smile.

"So we're on first name bases now?" she guessed, earning a sigh from Tsuki.

"Sorry." Tsuki said quickly, earning a sigh.

"For what? You don't have to be formal toward me!" Haruka retorted, noticing how Tsuki winced at the tone.

"You call Michiru by her first name and Setsuna….What's the difference between us?" Haruka questioned, only to be met with silence.

"Just…try not to be so formal…Hell….Call me anything but formalities!" Haruka stated, ruffling Tsuki's hair.

Noticing how Tsuki flinched Haruka sighed and added "I'm not going to hurt you…Relax. Seriously what all did Kenji do to you? I mean….you're terrified."

Haruka noticed how Tsuki shifted in her seat at the question and mentally kicked herself for asking however then Tsuki spoke, her voice coming out frail.

"It wasn't just him….It was Mom. I didn't have the same concept of family as you Haruka. I was lucky if I ever got a hot meal let alone anything like what I've gotten in just a few days here. I'm not use to being unformal…hell I couldn't even call Kenji by his name." Tsuki stated, her eyes burning suddenly.

Don't cry….don't cry….come on….don't be weak.

Tsuki thought, though she felt her resolve crumble when she felt Haruka put a hand on her shoulder.

Tsuki couldn't hold back the sobs that shook her body even though she squeezed her eyes shut to try to keep the tears at bay.

"You're okay Suki…I won't let anyone hurt you….Not your Mom, not your brother, not anyone." Haruka vowed, pulling her into a hug.

Tsuki couldn't help but burry her face against her sister's shoulder, trying to hide her face as her whole body began to shake with pent back emotions.

"Haruka? What's wrong?" Tsuki could hear Michiru's voice from somewhere near the doorway but found herself unable to pull away from Haruka.

"Her life has sucked." Haruka retorted, earning a sigh from Michiru.

"How about you two go talk in private and I'll finish breakfast?" Michiru suggested, figuring that whatever it was that the sisters could use some time to talk about it.

Haruka nodded and lead Tsuki toward Michiru's art studio, shutting the door so they could have some privacy.

"I'm sorry." Tsuki stated with a sniff, earning a sigh from Haruka who helped her over to the plush couch.

"Tsuki….Don't you ever apologize for showing emotion. I meant what I said about protecting you and I will." Haruka stated, earning a surprised look before Tsuki suddenly wrapped Haruka in an embrace, shaking slightly against her as she struggled to hold back tears.

Haruka carefully put an arm around the younger teen's lower back so as to not accidently hit any of the bruises and cuts however as soon as their skin touched Haruka felt a strange sensation and her vision clouded over.

A dark room haunted with the stench of drying blood and the sounds of someone sobbing. Turning around Haruka couldn't believe what she had saw hanging from the ceiling by their wrists….Blood cascading down the frail figures back.

"You fucking disgrace! Don't you dare cry about this! You deserve it!"

The sound of a whip snapping filled the air, just as the scene faded.

"Please tell me that I didn't see that." Haruka managed to plea, closing her eyes tight to keep her own tears at bay.

"I'm sorry….I….That's why I don't touch people. I can't control it!" Tsuki whimpered, earning a sigh from her sister.

"Tsuki….I don't care about that. I just feel like going to that prison and cutting her to ribbons with my sword!" Haruka replied, her voice breaking under emotion as she pulled away slightly and forced a smile.

"C'mon…Let's go get cleaned up and go eat before Michiru thinks I've killed you."

Setsuna sighed as she took a drink from her coffee, glancing toward the door as she heard the sound of voices approaching.

"Well they didn't kill each other." She stated, earning a look from Michiru.

"Stop nagging and go wake up the kids….I swear they would sleep all day." The mermaid like woman stated with a grin.

Tsuki froze when she saw Setsuna walking toward her though the woman just smirked.

"nice haircut Su-chan!"

Tsuki glared lightly at the older girl, though Haruka just snickered and gently pushed her toward the kitchen.

"you can cuss her out for calling you chan later. Right now let's eat short stuff!" Haruka stated, ruffling her younger sister's hair, earning an annoyed squawk.

"Haruka!"

She hissed, earning a grin.

"First name's again?" Haruka teased, earning a grin.

"Shut the hell up Sis!"