A/N: Hope everyone is having a great 4th of July so far! And as requested by NXKRIS, I have added a small portion of the impending fate of Chibi Usa, but without Setsuna scolding them! This fic is inspired by the song, "Graceful World" by Every Little Thing. Please read and review! Thanks!
-x-
"Have you heard? They're going to ban fireworks unless they are used for commercial purposes," Minako leaned in. The inner senshi and the two partnered Outer Senshi all gathered for a little meet.
"I didn't know about that! Did you, Haruka?" Serena cried with her eyes wide. The sandy blonde nodded,
"They announced it on the news last night, don't you remember koneko-chan?"
"No . . . But that's bad! I love fireworks! You can't ban something that's been a tradition all this time!" Serena shouted. (1)
"Then I suggest that tonight, we'll play to our heart's content!" Rei stated with a firey passion.
-x-
"I didn't think we could buy this many. Did you see the cashier's face? It was priceless," Serena laughed.
"You have that same expression when I tell you to do something sexual related," Haruka smirked. Serena gaped,
"Haruka! Stop comparing me to things at the wrong time!"
"Then, when would be the appropriate time to use them, koneko? the sandy blonde wondered.
"Never," Serena replied cheekily. Haruka laughed, it was better if she let it go. For now.
-x-
"Where's Chibi Usa, Hotaru and Setsuna?" Serena wondered when they all gathered again.
"Hotaru is spending time with Dr. Tomoe, I believe Setsuna stated that she had to guard the Space-Time Gate. As for Chibi Usa, she went back to the Moon Kingdom to visit her Mom and Dad," Michiru explained.
"Dad . . ." Serena whispered mostly to herself. As the word set in, she looked up at the sandy blonde standing next to her. Haruka noticed the slight hesitance in her love's face,
"What is it, Serena?"
Everyone looked over at their moon princess.
"It didn't occur to me until now, but since my relationship with Haruka is flourishing, what'll happen to Chibi Usa?"
The whole group was silent.
"I'm pretty sure Chiba-kun will understand if you want to marry him just for the sake of Chibi Usa," Ami stated.
"Well, I won't be," Haruka protested with a hard glare and stalked off.
"Haruka!" Serena shouted, ready to go after the fleeing wind senshi, but Michiru reacted much faster and left to find her partner.
-x-
"Haruka! What's the matter with you?" Michiru sighed when she found the pouting woman sitting at a nearby park.
"I know Mizuno-san didn't mean anything by it. She was only suggesting a choice with the fate of Little Lady. But, I don't want to share Serena with Chiba-kun. She deserves better," Haruka replied in frustration. Michiru placed a comforting hand on the wind senshi's shoulder,
"Then, may I make the choice clearer? The life of Little Lady or having guilt upon your back for the rest of your life? Even if Little Lady is gone, our memories of her will still be in our hearts. Will you be able to tolerate that? Will you risk altering the future for a measly thing such as jealousy?"
Haruka just bit the inside of her cheeks.
-x-
"Mother!"
"Oof! Asuka! What are you doing here? Don't you still have school or something?" Haruka replied in shock as her adoptive daughter came barreling into her.
"Nope, it's summer vacation right now. The American school system start their summer at the ending of May and I believe the school here gets out in the middle of July," Asuka explained with a smile. (2)
"I see . . . But couldn't you have called to let us know that you're going to be back in Japan?" Haruka stated, going into mother mode.
"But, I did. I told Aunt Michiru about my arrival," Asuka stated innocently. Haruka and Serena turned to look at the sea senshi.
"I wanted to make sure you didn't forget your daughter," Michiru replied happily, disregarding the fact that her moon princess and partner in crime were glaring daggers at her.
"Maa . . . Let's just play before the night is over, huh?" Makoto butt in, hopefully to cool things down before it got heated, literally.
-x-
Squeals of laughter and fit of giggles were heard around the group. The thick smoke from the other fireworks in the area and their own, filled the air around them. Haruka sat off to the side, watching her love and daughter play without a care in the world. She wanted to keep their smiles as they were, but she also wanted to maintain her own smile too. It wasn't an easy decision, to have the future already plan out ahead of time. She didn't want that. She didn't want to be chained like this.
"Haruka?"
The sandy blonde looked up to see the blurry image of her koneko and realized that the dampness on her cheeks were her own tears.
"Stupid tears," Haruka grumbled. Serena smiled at the older woman,
"You don't have to make a decision now. There's still time."
"But, I already did. I . . . don't want to share you with anyone, but it's fate and I don't want to change that. I decided to let you marry Chiba-kun, just for the purpose of not letting Little Lady disappear."
"Haruka . . ." Serena was so moved with her love's decision.
"But . . . if you invite me to your wedding with him, who knows what I might do."
"Eep!"
The spectators laughed at the couple. Fourth of July, truly is a day of celebration.
-x-
(1) An statement my Dad made one night during dinner as we watched the 9 o' clock news.
(2) If you want to know, Asuka is in Middle School.