Haruka was still busy in the kitchen, cleaning up the ham and eggs Michiru had dropped, when her communicator beeped. Sighing, the blonde stopped her work and answered the call. Usagis face appeared on the small screen, grinning at her. "Hi Haruka-San!" Haruka forced a smile on her face – she didn't want the Inners to know that something was wrong – and replied: "Hi there. What's up?" "Oh, nothing special." Usagi replied, still grinning from ear to ear. "Rei holds a meeting in the temple, will Michiru and you come?" Haruka knew that, if she declined, Usagi would know that something was wrong and would bug her long enough to make her spill everything. So, she just agreed. "Yeah. We'll be there." "Okay! See you later, then!" Usagi chirped before she closed her communicator again, cutting the line in the process. Haruka closed hers, too, and walked over into the living room, where Michiru sat, staring off into distance. "Michiru?" the blonde spoke, causing her love to look at her. Haruka nearly shrank under the cold, almost hateful gaze, but somehow she found the strength to speak on. "Usagi just called over the communicator. She invited us to a meeting, in Reis temple." Michiru just nodded before she looked away again. Haruka stood in the doorway for a few minutes, unsure of what to do, before she spoke up again: "I cleaned the mess in the kitchen." "Good." Was the only reply. Haruka pointed over to the door, a helpless gesture. "I'll tell you when we'll leave, okay?" "Good." Michiru replied, not really listening to what Haruka said. The blonde slowly walked over to the couch and sat down next to her. "Michi, please…talk to me." "Leave me alone." Michiru answered, her voice as cold as ice, her words stinging in Harukas heart like glowing knifes. "Please." The blonde repeated hoarsely, fresh tears stinging in her eyes. Michiru knew that she was the only person who could make Haruka cry, but this didn't stop her. "I said leave me alone!" she now shouted. Haruka flinched and looked down to the floor while she spoke: "Michiru…if I had known what was going to happen, I would've stayed at home." "Yeah right. But you didn't stay! It's all your fault! If you would've been there to protect me, none of this would've happened! It's your fault! I hate you!" Michiru screamed at Haruka, who looked up at the last sentence, the tears now running down her cheeks. "Do you hear me?" Michiru repeated, her voice full of anger. "I hate you!" "I…I love you." Haruka replied, her voice cracking, not daring to look up into Michirus face. The only answer she received was a snort, and then Michiru walked past her, not bothering to waste a single look at the blonde. Haruka stayed where she was, buried her face in her hands and allowed to tears to fall.
All five Inners looked up when they heard the engine of Harukas car approach first, then fall silent when the blonde parked her car outside. Two minutes later, the door opened, and Haruka walked in. The Inners stared at her in shock, not believing what they saw. Their tall friend's face had a unhealthy pale color, there were dark rings underneath her eyes and her hands were shaking, as if the blonde was freezing. "Hello." Haruka greeted, her voice sounding awfully tired. Behind her, Michiru entered; she didn't look much better than her companion. She also greeted the Inner Senshi, in a not-so-friendly tone. "Hey." Makoto was the first one to speak. "Haruka, are you feeling well? You're not looking good." Haruka gave her a weak smile, not much more than a small raising of the corners of her mouth. "Don't worry. I'm fine." She sat down, and Michiru shocked the Inners again by taking a seat away from Haruka as far as possible. Haruka looked at her for a moment before she stared down at her hands again, but she didn't say anything. Luckily, all the Inners had enough tact – even Usagi – for not to ask. After a few moments of silence, Rei spoke up. "So…any news you want to spill?"
"…and I think we should…Haruka? Haruka!" The blonde jerked out of her trance-like state and stared at Minako wide eyed. "…yes?" she finally spoke. Minako looked at her, frowning. "Are you sure that you're feeling well?" Makoto asked, concern in her voice. Haruka just nodded, fearing that if she would open her mouth to speak, the tears would overtake. She continued to stare at her hands, Michirus words echoing in her mind over and over. "I hate you. It's all your fault. I hate you I hate you I hate you your fault your fault…" The blonde was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't notice how Makoto and Ami looked at her, both with concerned, worried eyes.