Haruka still couldn't believe everything that was happening, it all felt so surreal. She couldn't believe she was actually going to give up everything she'd ever known and move to a foreign planet and one in a whole other galaxy for that matter! But when she looked down at Taiki who'd fallen asleep in her arms as the movie credits rolled by quietly on the tv screen in the background she couldn't help but feel as if she was making the right decision.
She smiled at her as she planted a light kiss on her head, never wanting to let go of her ever again in case she'd never see her again. She couldn't believe that this amazing woman was hers, that she wanted to be with her, that she shared the same feelings that Haruka harbored for her. She was flawed but she was so incredible and talented and beautiful. Haruka found it hard to believe she'd ever viewed her as an enemy, that she'd ever hated her or tried to attack her because now she'd become the light of her life.
She knew she still had to tell Usagi about her decision but for right now her primary focus was on enjoying these precious moments with Taiki although she'd be lying if she said she wasn't thinking about everything already. She'd decided that she probably was going to hand over temporary ownership of the house to the inner senshi and let them rent it out and put the rent money in savings or just let them live in it if they chose and once her daughters turned 18 and moved back to earth then the house would be theirs. Granted she knew by that point that crystal tokyo would be in full swing and they'd be living at the palace full time but right here right now it seemed like a good idea to have a temporary place to escape to if need be and if things changed down the line she'd deal with it when it came down to it. Sure she could sell the place but if she was being honest the main reason she didn't want to was because of the attachment the house held to Michiru and even though she knew the girls probably wouldn't need it that much in the future she still wasn't ready to let go just yet.
She also knew that she wouldn't be able to take much of her furniture to Kinmoku and she'd have to pack what she could in boxes and make several trips over the next few weeks and leave whatever else she had behind. She'd spent so much time assembling the nursery and the knowledge that she wouldn't be able to take most of the furniture with her because it was too big was definitely hard but at least the cribs would come apart and she could put the pieces in a box and assemble them back on Kinmoku. But so many other things would have to be left behind and so many of those things held memories of Michiru.
Like their sofa which they'd recieved as a honeymoon gift and had spent way too many nights cuddling and making out on, their bed which she'd picked out with Michiru and she still fondly remembered how she'd thrown herself down on the various mattresses in the store trying to test out how comfortable they were while Michiru laughed at her and told her to knock it off or else they'd get kicked out. The old wooden piano upstairs that Michiru had bought her as a birthday gift. The oven in the kitchen that never seemed to work quite right and she could only smile as she remembered how so many times Michiru would burn supper because the oven decided to screw her over yet again.
But even though she knew she'd be leaving so many memories behind and it crushed her she knew that she'd get to make so many more new memories with Taiki on Kinmoku. This might have been the end of an old chapter but she was starting a brand new chapter of her life and she was so excited to see how it unfolded even though she was nervous.
Taiki stirred in her arms and Haruka smiled as she watched her let out a tired yawn, stretching her arms before giving Haruka a tired smile.
"Did you have a nice nap?"
Taiki nodded, pulling away from her as she straightened herself up. "Yes, how much of the movie did I miss?" She asked, noticing the tv screen as it flashed the end of the credits.
"Not much, only the last half hour or so of the movie."
The brunette glanced up at the clock on the wall as she sighed. "At least I didn't miss too much but I've gotta get going now, I can't be late for guard duty."
Haruka nodded before pulling her into her arms again, locking eyes with her before hesitantly planting a kiss on her lips, still feeling slightly uncertain as the worry of her running off again lingered in the back of her mind but when she felt her melt into the kiss she felt herself relax. She pulled away smiling as she reached down and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Don't worry, we'll be together soon. Soon I won't have to leave."
Taiki smiled, "That's right." She paused as she stood up, glancing back at her lover once more. "Ashiteru." she said softly.
"I love you too Taiki."
And with that the brunette was gone but this time Haruka didn't feel so alone because she knew it wasn't permanent. She spent the night cooking and cleaning and taking care of the twins and for the first time in a long time she felt alive and happy.
Before going to bed she called Usagi and asked if she could meet her the next day and talk to her. They arranged a time and she went to bed with a smile on her face for the first time in a long time.
/
Haruka found herself standing on a sandy beach as the waves licked at her toes. She smiled as the sun shone down on her from up above, kissing her skin and warming her from head to toe as she let out a content sigh.
She felt a hand grab hers and she turned her head to see Michiru standing there, her long blue waves flowing in the wind as she smiled at her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze as tears glimmered in her eyes.
"I'm happy for you Haruka." she whispered.
Before Haruka had a chance to respond she heard footsteps approaching and when she turned around she saw the tall starlight she'd grown to love slowly walking towards them, her hair loose and flowing behind her as she approached Michiru.
Michiru smiled at the starlight as she let go of Haruka's hand and turned to her. "Take good care of her for me Taiki." she said softly, tears beginning to spill down her cheeks as the brunette gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I will, she's in good hands." she replied quietly, giving her a gentle smile as she dropped her hand.
The bluenette approached her former wife and pulled her in close, wrapping her arms around her as tears bubbled up in Haruka's eyes.
"Michiru-"
"I know Haruka, I know, I love you too." she said, reading the other's mind as she kissed her cheek. "But its time for me to let you go so you can move on and be happy, you're in good hands."
"Michiru don't leave."
"I'll never leave, I'll always be right here with you in your heart. We'll never be apart, I promise."
Haruka couldn't fight the tears that were falling and she felt Taiki's warm hand grab hers as she gave her former wife a bittersweet smile. "Alright, I'm ready to let go. I love you."
"I love you too." Michiru whispered before walking off into the distance and vanishing into thin air.
Haruka felt herself fall to the ground in tears but she wasn't alone this time as warm arms enveloped her, caressing her back and whispering reassuring words into her ear. But this time her tears were bittersweet and she knew things were going to get better.
/
When Haruka awoke the next morning everything went by in a blur as she got ready to go see Usagi, it was like she was racing through the morning with her mind set on one specific goal. Rei and Minako showed up to watch the twins and she thanked them profusely as she waved them goodbye and exited her home, taking in a deep breath as she got into her car and drove off to their agreed meeting spot.
She drove until she found herself in a relatively empty park, snow covering the trees and bushes around them as she noticed her odango haired princess standing there with her back turned to her, entranced by the sight of the snowy paradise all around her.
"Ohayo Usagi!"
Usagi spun around a cheery grin on her face as she ran towards her. "Good morning Haruka! How are you?" she asked, cheery as ever as she smiled that same old infectious smile at her.
"I'm doing great, but there's something I wanted to talk to you about."
"What is it?"
Haruka took a deep breath in before speaking, a nervous smile on her face. "I've made up my mind."
/
Authors note: Hey everyone I'm sorry for the super late update. Life has been extremely busy and chaotic. I honestly plan on maybe doing two more chapters and then this story will be over. I might eventually do a sequel with all the kids in 18 years but nothing is set in stone as I have so many other ideas and stories to work on and very little free time but I might do a continuation eventually. This story was started when I was 16 so its not my best work but I'm going to try and finish it soon, if you enjoyed it please consider checking out my other Taiki/Haruka stories as I want to do so much more eventually with them when I have the creativity and time. Thank you so so much for reading and hopefully I can get the last two chapters up soon. 3