Shortly after Haruka stormed off to the room Usagi had told the other sailor scouts it might be best to leave and let Haruka be alone. They exited the house one by one, Usagi being the last to leave as she cast a look down the hall where Haruka's room was, sighing as she shook her head, wishing she could make her happy and take away all the pain from the past nine months.

The day came and went with Haruka barely leaving her room excpet to get food or to use the washroom. Overhearing what Setsuna said about how she'd seen a possible outcome where Michiru got cancer years before it happened both made her depresson ten times worse and infuriated her. She knew it was irrational to blame her yet it was so easy to throw the blame on her shoulders, to give herself a reason behind why Michiru died. Even though rationally she knew even if Setsuna had made the connection and spoken up it might not have cured her she couldn't help but be angry and bitter that she didn't speak up.

She had no clue what time of the day it even was when she heard her door creaking open. At first panic washed over her like a flood as she jumped up from her bed, assuming someone had broken in to her house but when she saw the kind face of her princess poking into her room a wave of relief flooded over her.

"How are you doing Haruka?" Usagi asked softly, a warm smile on her face as she walked over to her bed, glancing over at the twins who were still sound asleep.

"Not well. For one I'm pissed off."

"At Setsuna?"

The older blonde nodded as she let out a sigh of frustration, running her hands through her hair. "Hai. I can't help but be mad that she knew Michiru might develop cancer and yet she didn't say anything."

"Haruka I know you're mad but she didn't know. I think she refused to put two and two together because she didn't want it to be true. And she sees so many different possible outcomes for the future all the time and half of them don't ever happen. The chances of it happening were so slim and she didn't realize that it would actually happen. She may be the guardian of time but she's still only human." Usagi said softly as she rubbed her friend's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.

"I know I know, you're right. I know I'm being irrational, I just miss Michiru and knowing someone could have possibly been able to save her just destroys me." she said quietly as her eyes drifted over to a framed picture of Michiru hanging on her wall.

"I understand, we all wish we could have done something to save her." Usagi whispered as she let go of the older girl's arm, letting out a sigh as she leaned back on her bed. "I think Setsuna carries a lot of weight on her shoulders because of the knowledge she has."

The older blonde said nothing as tears blurred her eyes, anger seeping through her as she leaned back against the wall. "I just can't believe she's truly gone. It doesn't feel real. It still feels like Luna and Artemis are going to come running up to me one of these days and tell me Michiru's death was actually caused by a new evil group of villains and once they're defeated she'll return to us. I guess being a sailor scout has skewed my concept of death since all of us are practically immortal. Or at least that's how it seems."

Usagi was silent for a minute as she tried to come up with a response. "Isn't it funny how we can live for hundreds of years but yet basic human illnesses and human injuries can kill us forever?" Usagi said awkwardly, chuckling slightly as her eyes darted around the room.

"I guess." Haruka replied, her tone sorrowful and bitter.

"You're still thinking about Taiki aren't you?"

"Hai... She has a point though. Maybe this whole thing really is just a stupid crush, maybe she was just my rebound. I can't love her, I have to be loyal to you and my daughters. I should just forget about her."

Usagi lurched forward on the bed, shaking her head as she grabbed Haruka by the shoulders. "Don't say that! If you love her then don't give up on her!" she protested. "If you're giving up on her because of your duty to me then please don't. You're my friend and I want you to be happy! Don't sacrifice your happiness for me!"

A forced chuckle escaped Haruka as she smiled softly at her princess. "Usagi I'm your protector, if I have to sacrifice my happiness in order to do what needs to be done to keep you safe and happy then so be it." she whispered. "I love Taiki but I guess I'll just have to find someone else, right?"

Tears were slowly falling down Usagi's cheeks as she shook her head vigorously, shaking her friend as cried. "Haruka please... I know you love her! There's gotta be a way for you to be with her! If me and Mamoru could be together in the silver millenium surely there's a way you and Taiki can be together!"

The older blonde was about to reply when the shrill crys of one of the twins interrupted her. She sighed as she stood up from her bed, walking over to Kaede's crib to pick her up. "It's not that simple, I'll be fine. You should probably head out. I have to feed the twins and clean the house up somewhat."

Usagi sighed as she stood up from the bed, brushing herself off as she cast a worried glance over to her friend. "Alright, call me if you need anything." she called out before exiting the room, watching her friend's form fade away as she closed the door behind her.

/

Usagi couldn't stop her racing mind as Mamoru paced around in the kitchen behind her. He was busy making some fish and rice for supper while she was supposed to be working on the details for their wedding but she couldn't stop thinking about Haruka and Taiki.

She let out a shriek of frustration as she dug her hands into her hair, causing Mamoru to drop the glass bowl he was holding onto the floor sending it shattering into a hundred pieces.

"What's wrong Usako?" He yelled as he raced over to her side, placing a hand on her shoulder as she looked up into his eyes.

"Gomen I didn't mean to startle you." she said softly as he sat down in the chair next to her. "I just can't stop thinking about Haruka and Taiki. I know they want to be together but I feel like I'm the reason why they can't. I don't know what to do, I hate to see Haruka hurting."

Mamoru gave her a warm smile as he pecked her on the cheek. "Do what you think is best, don't listen to what other people tell you to do, follow your heart."

She smiled at him as her eyes darted back to the paper in front of her. She knew what had to be done although it meant she would have to make a sacrifice.

But she knew that sometimes the best things in life meant making a huge sacrifice in order for it to come to fruition.