(A/N This is the expanded version of the Epilogue from my other story, My Secret Muse. It's not necessary to read that story before this one, but there will be some subtle references to what happened in that story. So if you want to know how Michiru and Haruka built their relationship to this point, then you can hop over to that one... Don't worry; I'll wait here.)

(A/N - I like to use dividers to help define when the perspective changes through the story. The flow is set to follow along Michiru's journey and discovery through her becoming Sailor Neptune)

(A/N I do not own Sailor Moon)

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She was sitting in her studio, surrounded by a few panels compiling the ending of the 3rd volume of her manga, capturing how Neptune and partner Uranus worked to become strong partners. Harnessing their powers abilities, their battle tactics so in sync with one another, they drove the invading forces from the planet's surface.

Michiru glances up at the clock. She didn't realize how long she had been sketching this evening. She smiled at how much had changed in such a short time. Before she met Haruka, she used to literally draw all night until the morning sun began to greet her through her window, completing multiple chapters at a time. Now, she eagerly allocates those hours to her girlfriend. Her lips curling up in satisfaction, Haruka was finally her girlfriend.

Surrounding her in her studio, there is only silence. Peeking at the clock again, she anticipated hearing the familiar sounds of the faint ring of the elevator followed by the condo door unlocking. The not-so-subtle clatter of keys on the table as they miss the designated bin. The sound of shuffling footsteps echoing in the entry hall and the graceful movements to take off her shoes. Soft pads across the tile floor, and if she was fortunate, the scoot of a wooden bench as the perpetrator takes her seat at the piano.

Once Michiru had the racer within her grasp and the privilege to call her hers, she had no desire to let her go. She had been through so much, arriving finally to the point where each could say aloud how much they needed each other. The first week together, they possessively kept each other to themselves as they holed up inside Michiru's condo. Seemingly caching up on the twenty something years they missed in each other's life, sometimes knowing each others thoughts without explanation. Michiru felt like no one would ever know the deepest depths of her soul the way Haruka did. At first, it was easy to secluded off from the world. Haruka didn't have a job to be at during the day, racing was in it's seasonal break, and she devoted all of her time to the artist. Once Michiru had to start to focus on the deadline for her book, she encouraged Haruka to seek something to devote her time as well. Less Haruka would just reinforce the condo to be a fortress, devoting the sevens completely to each other.

However, the need for nourishment emboldened the blonde about leaving their condo castle in the sky, leading her on ventures to the outside world. Michiru would use these hours to work on her manga, knowing she would be reunited with her lover in the very near further.

Neither desired to be apart for long at all, even as Haruka started seeking a new job to focus her skills. Both disliked it even more when the blonde to leave to go to her home for various reasons. After one partially spontaneous lovemaking, the blonde had to leave for a shower before showing up to an interview appointment. Subsequently, Michiru decided to offer Haruka space at her place.

Haruka had moved out of her high-rise condo as a drastic action to sever all ties with the last of her family. Desiring to purge the things that the family business paid that was not a business necessity. Michiru understood the need to be free from her previous restraints but did not understand the trip the racer made to the small beach cottage on the far outskirts of town until she found a place she liked. Even with Haruka's racing skills, it was too far and too long for her taste. With the handful of items that Haruka brought to the condo, essentially, they live together for a few weeks now, finally transforming Michiru's condo into the home she always wanted. But the welcoming sound of the blonde returning home, to her, was some of the most magical sounds.

The chime alert on her phone caught her attention, and she glanced down at the message.

/Michiru - what the fuck? Did you know about this?/

Her breath caught in her throat as the attached image began to load. Greeting her like a fever dream was a pair of teal eyes. Well, the whole picture was graphite in the color since it was a pencil sketch, but she knew it well. The eyes in that sketch were a beautifully piercing teal in real life. Where did she find this... she panicked as she recognized the illustration of the blonde in that v-neck top. The one that was relentless in the barrage of her lonesome imagination when Haruka was so far out of her reach. Persistent was her muse, however, until it compelled her to get it down on paper, no longer allowing it to live rent-free in her mind. She desperately got rid of the piece when Haruka was distant, as if she was running a high-speed race to some point away from her. In an attempt to escape the stare of those eyes, she included it as part of her manga inspiration art auction so the warm teal eyes that she loved so much would no longer watch her move through her home.

Turning her attention back to the phone, she considered ignoring the message and pretending she didn't see it. It was possible that if she said nothing, then the blonde would consider that it was not her drawing. It didn't hold her signature after all. Then it would be hope beyond hope that Haruka doesn't bring it up again.

Trying to focus back on her work and failing miserably, she eventually heard the keys turning in the lock. She held her breath at the familiar sounds she enjoyed, cautiously moving from her studio towards the sitting room when the padding footsteps had stopped.

Entering the sitting room, she glanced around and did not see a trace of the blonde. Nearly a moment, she thought the sounds of Haruka returning home were her imagination, but the familiar sketch caught her attention on the dining room table. How the hell did it get here or all places? She took a few tentative steps towards it, carefully examining it as she picked it up off the table, confirming it to be hers. Haruka appeared from the kitchen carrying a glass of water, and Michiru moved the illustration behind her back.

"Welcome home, Haruka... how was your day?" She asked casually as teal eyes roamed over her form over the edge of the glass at her lips.

"It was good; I had an interesting afternoon through," the smirk evident on her face as she gracefully set the glass down.

"That's nice... I'm... I'm a mess right now, so I am going to jump into the shower."

"You look perfect to me..." the blonde casually responded, the smirk growing on her face as she took a noticeable step towards Michiru.

"I... have ink and... eraser shavings from the drawings... They can be hard to see, but I can feel them on my skin... I wouldn't want to get them on you...they can be quite itchy," taking a tentative step back out of the room. Haruka lifts a skeptical eyebrow at the artist in what she could only perceive as a challenging manner.

Michiru spun on her heels and took off running towards the bedroom, convinced she had a chance to close herself inside the room and dispose of the wretched sketch. To what end? Haruka sent a picture... Argh! I'd have to get her phone as well. Her focus on the potential evidence gave Haruka the edge, and of course, Haruka was the better runner.

As she pivoted inside the room, Haruka's arms wrapped her waist, rolling them to the ground with Michiru landing on her back and the blonde positioning herself on top of the artist. She yelped but managed to keep the sketch above her head and away from the blonde.

"No, no, no, no.." she tried to wiggle out from under the blonde who just sat back on the artist's stomach, amused at the feeble attempt.

"What exactly are you up to, mermaid?" The husky voice chuckled out.

"Just trying to get to the shower..."

"Mhm, and were you planning on showering with this paper?"

"It looks dirty," she half attempted an explanation. Haruka just shook her head as she snatched the paper from Michiru, standing to her full height.

"Hey!" The artist shouted as she stood on her toes to try to reach the paper.

"Woah, what's wrong? It's not like it's yours... although the likeness is uncanny," she commented as she looked up at the drawing hoisted above her head. "I think the artist who did it was thinking long and hard about..." She didn't get to finish that thought as Michiru found the bench for her vanity, using the stool to boost herself onto the blonde's back, clinging like a monkey reaching for a banana. She got a hold of the edge of the paper, but suddenly they both heard a loud ripping sound. The pair paused their struggle, looking at a piece left in each of their hands.

"Ha! It's ruined!" The artist triumphantly cried as she turned to leave the room. Caching sight of Haruka sinking to her knees on the floor, she stopped in her tracks. The blonde rejectingly stared at the piece still in her hand. Michiru's excitement drained as she reached for her, "Haruka..."

"You ripped it," the blonde cut her off. "You actually ripped it."

"Well... I..."

"You didn't have to do that... I liked it; it was adorable."

"That's not the word I would use," kneeling in an attempt to console the blonde. "I'm sorry. I can sketch you a new one... much better one..."

"So," Haruka sniffed, her gaze still focused on the piece of paper in her hand. "Does that mean you admit you drew it?"

"I..." Michiru started but quickly noticed her shoulders shaking even though her head was still down. Once she looked up at the artist, Michiru could see the grin on her lips.

"So... is that how you see me?" Michiru blinked, eyes widening. Haruka took the chance to snake her arm around the artist's waist, pulling her onto her lap. "Now Michiru, there is no reason to be so concerned," her husky voice whispering into her mermaid's ear. "You know I would have done anything for you, especially if it means I get to see you smile."

A shiver goes up to her spine at the words, followed by the chaste kiss on her neck. "You should have just asked to sketch me..."

"You did promise me..." Michiru chuckled as she turned to face her girlfriend. "And you never break a promise. But would you have worn that outfit if I asked?" Haruka kissed her lips softly, brushing them together tenderly.

"I guess we'll never know," she softly replied.

Haruka's head swiftly popped up at that moment, her teal eyes narrowing and the smirk on her face back to being mischievous. "Besides, it was quite the sight for the fans who were at the shop to see their favorite magnaka's sketches on display. I think one did a double take when they saw me standing beside it," her tone casual as she stood, offering a hand to help Michiru rise.

"So what is in store next for Neptune?" She asked out of the blue as the artist reached her feet.

"Eh? what do you mean?"

"Well, from what I read in the online forums, fans are gripped in the way that Neptune defends her home. They were drawn into the drama that Uranus came to fight by her side... Based on your source material, the balance has been restored. So is volume four just going to be happy ever after?" She said with a smirk as she pulled the smaller woman closer.

"I didn't realize you were such a fangirl, Haruka," the teasing smile growing on the artist's face.

"Seriously, Michi? I spent my lunch break at a popup cafe for fans. You can't be that surprised," rolling her eyes.

"True... But isn't every fangirl's goal to influence their idol to pen another chapter?"

"I guess I will have to work harder to make the next chapter of your life more interesting that you can't resist to write it down..." she trailed off as she placed soft kisses upon the hand she still held. The teasing light in her eyes shining brightly, causing Michiru to withdraw her hand from her grip.

"There is a whole world out there; how can you be my sole inspiration?" She teased in return as the blonde raised an eyebrow challengingly.

"I may not be the only inspiration, but I may change how you interact with the world," lovingly placing a kiss on top of her head.

Michiru contemplated for a moment. "You're right, Haruka. They have focused on the battle on Neptune. Maybe the enemy had just started to invade the outer parts of the solar system, and they will need to seek out more warriors like them."

"Where would they find them... on Earth?" The timber voice laced with sarcasm echoed as she crossed the room towards the door.

"Ara, I don't think Earth is a very good defense stronghold," glancing out the window at the full moon outside. "Maybe one of the moons?" Michiru pondered aloud. Haruka chuckled as she left the room.

"Good luck selling that idea to your editor," she called out as she made her way down the hallway.

Michiru simply shook her head, needing to give the idea more time to mull over in her head. She made her way to the bathroom, beginning to fill the tub. The water always helped her relax and focus. A good soak is what she needed after wrestling the blonde and to focus on where her story goes from here.

Lowering herself into the water, she drifted into her own world... into Neptune's world. The familiar blues and greens swirled around her as she examined her homeworld. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught some shadows gathered on the edge of the ocean. She had not ventured to the edge where the sea seemed to be actually meeting the sky in all of her dreams. The figures floating on the horizon came into slightly better focus. Not enough to discern any details, but she could easily count seven figures clad in fuku like Neptune's, varying quite widely in height. Maybe Haruka is correct, and the next step is to find others like her on her home planet and not something crazy like the moon.

The tallest of the figures seemingly moved forward as they all continued to float on the horizon. The only one of the figures coming into view, Michiru could easily make out the dark-colored skirt and the red bow on her chest. Similar to Neptune's battle attire but a different color scheme. She watched the figure until she was struck with the deep garnet stare she knew so well. Green hair blew in the sudden breeze, beckoning Neptune closer.

Coming face to face with the green haired warrior, Michiru did not doubt in her mind that she found herself face to face with Setsuna. "Neptune, the time has come. We need you... and we need Uranus," she said as she gestured with her tall staff to the shadows that were still just out of reach. She raised the staff, bringing it swiftly down onto the top of the water, resulting in a shocking clank noise, "It is time for you to awaken..."

Michiru shot up out of the tub, her breath struggling to catch up with her. Her eyes wide at the strange vision she had, so unlike any other inspirational dreams, she had before. So truly unlike any dream she had previously, as she could feel the auroras on the water, she could feel their gazes focused on her. She raised from the bath, wrapping a towel around her figure as she wiped the steam off the mirror. A teal glow greeted her back in the mirror with a symbol she quickly recognized shining on her forehead. Michiru let out a cry as a set of eyes that were the same color, but she knew they were not her own stared back at her. "We are one again," she heard in a voice that was not her own before darkness took over